Poisoning in the rabbit: symptoms and causes of intoxication – There are many causes of poisoning in rabbits, as well as symptoms. Let’s see together what can be the causes of poisoning in the mammal and what are the symptoms.
The clinical term indicated for the poisoning is intoxication. The latter can take place in rabbit due to various substances, sometimes harmless to other animals and can cause various problems to the mammalian organism.
Let’s see together what are the symptoms to watch out for if the rabbit has been intoxicated, what can be causes and above all what to do in case of poisoning in the rabbit.
Rabbit poisoning symptoms and causes
To treat the rabbit as soon as possible in the event of poisoning, it is necessary to recognize the various symptoms that can show up. Remember that some of them can also be connected to other pathologies, therefore we always advise you to contact a veterinary. In case of poisoning in the rabbit the symptoms to watch out for are:
If yours rabbit has one or more symptoms listed above may have been poisoned, you need to take it to the vet.
Causes
Intoxication in the rabbit can be due to the consumption of poisonous substances, the involuntary intake of drugs or even common products that are perhaps harmless to other mammals. Here is a small list of everything it could cause poisoning in the rabbit.
Domestic substances containing lead, in particular painted surfaces or metal objects
Overdose of drugs
Inappropriate medications
Some antibiotics
Some pain relievers
Local products
Insecticides
Pesticides
Flea collars
Diagnosis and treatment
To have one diagnosis fast, it is necessary to provide the veterinarian with the complete history of rabbit health, the onset of symptoms and possible accidents that could have led the mammal to this condition.
Otherwise, the veterinarian will carry out a thorough inspection of the apparent external symptoms, excluding the various causes to get to the right one. A complete blood profile will also be conducted, including a chemical blood profile, a complete blood count and a urinalysis.
Confirmation of diagnosis can be done by chemical analysis, but if the rabbit presents a serious reaction, the vet will try to find a solution for the treatment of symptoms before the condition can worsen and become fatal.
Treatment
First of all, the veterinarian will apply specific antidotes to speed up the elimination of the toxic substance from the body and, if necessary, wash the surface of the skin to eliminate toxins. If the body temperature of the rabbit it is too high, the vet may use fresh cloths together with convection fans to lower body temperature.
If instead the body temperature of the rabbit it is too low, restoring the normal temperature can be achieved by using hot water bottles or by placing the rabbit in a heated incubator.
Activated charcoal, stomach washing and gastric pumping can also be used to eliminate toxins from the stomach if the veterinarian is sure that the toxin is brought back through the esophagus.
If the rabbit is in a more serious state, with respiratory problems or cardiac abnormalities, emergency life-keeping measures such as artificial respiration and heart massage will be used to correct these conditions. Once stabilized the rabbit, the veterinarian can proceed with more specific therapeutic measures according to the type of toxin ingested.
The return home
Once yours rabbit he has completely stabilized and is able to go home, it is appropriate to help him recover, first by concentrating on food and fluid intake. Offer your mammal fresh water, a wide selection of fresh and moistened vegetables such as coriander, romaine lettuce, parsley, carrots, dandelion vegetables, spinach, cabbage vegetables, and good quality grass hay.
Your vet will advise you on the best foods to help yours rabbit to regain his health. If the rabbit cannot eat normal food, it will be necessary to feed it with a syringe. It is necessary to take the rabbit to periodic visits to see the progress of his health.