Summary Information |
Type of
technique |
Health
& Management / UK
Wildlife Casualty Management / Techniques: |
Synonyms and
Keywords |
N.B. This
information should be read in association with Wildlife Casualty Handling and
Transport which contains background information together with links to
the Electronic Library and Organisations (UK Contacts). The related Species pages contain
similar linkages. |
Description |
This page has been prepared for the "UK
Wildlife: First Aid and Care" Wildpro module, and is designed for the
needs of the following species: Lepus
europaeus - Brown hare, Lepus
timidus - Mountain hare, Oryctolagus
cuniculus - European rabbit. These species are within the family Leporidae.
- Lagomorphs may kick out and scratch the handler with the claws of their hind feet; this
risk is reduced if the hind legs are kept facing away from the handler.
- There is a serious risk of back injury (even spinal fracture) to lagomorphs if they are
handled incorrectly and allowed to struggle.
- (B16.2.w2,
B151,
D25)
Catching:
- Unless seriously injured or diseased, rabbits and hares may move very quickly and be
difficult to catch.
- May be caught with a large net with a long handle. (B151)
- A small mesh net reduces the risk of entanglement;
- Maximum 6.5cm mesh for adults, 4cm mesh for juveniles has been
suggested. (D25)
- It is sometimes possible to transfix rabbits with a strong torch at night to assist in
capture. (D25)
- Restrain the animal as soon as it is caught in the net to minimise struggling.
Restraint for Examination and Treatment:
- Grasp the scruff of the neck and press the rabbit down on a flat,
non-slippery surface initially (preferably until the animal relaxes).(B205)
- Pick up with one hand over the ears and nape of the neck, holding the
scruff or around shoulders, the other hand supporting the rump; bring the animal in so
that it is supported against the handler's body.
- It is vital to control and avoid struggling which may lead to spinal
damage. (B151)
- May bite and scratch and kick with hind feet armed with sharp claws. (D25)
- Generally quieter for handling (including examination) and carrying when within a cotton
bag such as a pillowcase.
- Struggling inside the bag on capture is minimised if the rabbit is held (still within
the bag) against the body of the handler.(B169.24.w24)
- An alternative holding position is with one hand at the nape of the neck, the other
supporting the abdomen, and with the feet pointing away from the handler to avoid
scratching with the large claws.(B16.2.w2)
- Never pick a rabbit or hare up by the ears.
(B123,
B151,
B169.24.w24,
B205,
D25)
Anaesthetic notes:
- The use of inhalant anaesthetics for induction of general anaesthesia may
be complicated by prolonged breath-holding.
- Isoflurane is preferred to halothane if inhalation induction is required.
- Give 100% oxygen for 2 to 3 minutes initially by face mask, then add a
slowly increasing concentration of isoflurane.
- If breath-holding occurs, remove the face mask until breathing resumes.
- The use of injectable anaesthetics (see below) may be safer for
induction of general anaesthesia.
- Administration of oxygen during general anaesthesia is recommended even
when injectable anaesthetic agents are used. (J15.20.w2)
- There is a risk of laryngeal bleeding (haemorrhage) if excess force is used in
intubation.
- Three methods of intubation are suggested:
- 1) Intubation may be carried out using an otoscope to allow visualisation
of the larynx:
- an introducer is passed into the trachea;
- the otoscope is then withdrawn and the endotracheal tube passed over the
introducer into the trachea;
- the introducer is then withdrawn and the endotracheal tube tied in place.
- 2) Intubation may be carried out blind:
- Place the animal in sternal recumbency.
- Grip the head and extend the neck, so that the forefeet almost leave the
table.
- Insert the endotracheal tube, listening for breath sounds and (if a clear
plastic tube is used) looking for condensation on the tube.
- The tip of the tube is close to the larynx is loud sounds of breathing
may be heard and condensation is seen.
- As the rabbit inhales the tube is advanced into the larynx.
- Continuation of breathing sounds and condensation (also often a slight
cough) are used as signs that the tube is correctly positioned; if these are absent the
tube is withdrawn and the procedure is repeated.
- (J15.20.w2)
- 3) Intubation may be carried out using endoscopic guidance. (V.w26)
- Fentanyl-fluanisole (Hypnorm, Janssen Animal Health) 0.3ml/kg bodyweight
intramuscular plus diazepam (Valium, Roche) 2mg/kg intraperitoneal or
intravenous. (J15.20.w2)
- Fentanyl-fluanisone (Hypnorm, Janssen Animal Health) 0.3ml/kg bodyweight
intramuscular plus midazolam 2mg/kg intraperitoneal or intravenous. (J15.20.w2)
- Ketamine 15mg/kg plus
medetomidine
0.25 mg/kg, intramuscular. (J15.20.w2)
- Medetomidine 0.5mg/kg subcutaneous (for restraint with some
analgesia). (J15.20.w2)
- The effects of medetomidine are normally reversed by injection of the agent
atipamezole,
unless otherwise indicated. (V.w5,
V.w6,
V.w26)
- Fentanyl/fluanisone
(Hypnorm, Janssen Animal Health) in combination
with either diazepam or midazolam appears to be the safest injectable anaesthetic
regime. (J15.20.w2)
- It is not necessary to starve lagomorphs before anaesthesia, although
taking food away for a short time (e.g. one hour) helps ensure no food
is in the mouth at the time of the anaesthetic and that the stomach is
not over full. (B538.59.w59,
B600.5.w5,
B601.16.w16)
|
Appropriate Use (?) |
- Catch only if necessary.
- Handling of wild animals should be minimised.
- Consider design of accommodation and timing of treatments to minimise requirements for
capture and handling.
- Consider whether physical or chemical restraint is more appropriate.
- Never pick a hare or rabbit up by the ears.(B123,
B151)
- Fentanyl/fluanisone
(Hypnorm, Janssen Animal Health)
in combination with either diazepam or
midazolam appears to be the safest injectable
anaesthetic regime.(J15.20.w2)
|
Notes |
- Gloves may or may not be required for handling lagomorphs, depending on the demeanour of
the animal concerned. (B16.2.w2)
- Lightweight gloves will provide protection against scratches.
- Body weight must be fully supported at all times during restraint.
- Lagomorphs rarely bite.(B123)
|
Complications/ Limitations / Risk |
- Lagomorphs may kick out and scratch the handler with the claws of their hind feet;
this risk is reduced if the hind legs are kept facing away from the handler. (B16.2.w2)
- Serious risk of back injury (even spinal fracture) to lagomorphs if handled
incorrectly and allowed to struggle.
- Risk of laryngeal bleeding (haemorrhage) if excess force is used in intubation.
- Never pick a hare or rabbit up by the ears.(B123,
B151)
- The use of inhalant anaesthetics for induction of general anaesthesia may
be complicated by prolonged breath-holding.
|
Equipment / Chemicals required and Suppliers |
- Net with appropriate sized mesh 6.5cm mesh for adults, 4cm mesh for
juveniles.(D25)
- Lightweight gloves, if required.
- Pillowcase.
- Appropriate drugs if chemical restraint is required.
- Endotracheal tubes of appropriate sizes: 2.5mm for 1kg bodyweight, up to 4mm for 4-5kg
bodyweight rabbit. (J15.20.w2)
|
Expertise level / Ease of Use |
- Wild lagomorphs are more difficult to handle than are domestic rabbits.
|
Cost/ Availability |
- Appropriate nets may be available from specialist suppliers, veterinary suppliers or
some good pet stores; the cost of nets is variable.
- Nets may also be hand-constructed from readily-available inexpensive materials.
- Gloves and pillowcases are widely available and inexpensive.
- Some drugs used for chemical restraint are expensive.
- Drugs used for chemical restraint may only be available to veterinary surgeons or other
licensed persons.
|
Legal and Ethical Considerations |
|
Author |
Debra Bourne |
Referee |
Becki Lawson and Suzanne Boardman |
References |
B538.59.w59,
B600.5.w5,
B601.16.w16, J15.20.w2,
B16.2.w2,
B123,
B151,
B169.24.w24,
B205,
D25 |