Effects of injectable analgesics on selected gastrointestinal physiological parameters in rabbits

Debosree Pathak, a student at Oklahoma State Unversity, submitted her abstract about analgesics in rabbits! She is working on the full manuscript now, but check out a sneak-peak of what she found!

~Don't forget to submit your abstracts or cool case studies for a chance to win $100 for Issue 3~

Pathak D, Di Girolamo N, Maranville R, Womble W, Sypniewski L, Hanzlicek A, Brandão J

From the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oklahoma State University, 2065 W. Farm Rd., Stillwater OK 74074, USA.

Abstract

In rabbit medicine, it has long been postulated that analgesics, particularly opioids, decrease gastrointestinal motility. However, comparative studies investigating the gastrointestinal side-effects of different analgesics are lacking. This study sought to evaluate the effects of injectable analgesics (buprenorphine, hydromorphone, methadone, and meloxicam) on selected gastrointestinal physiological parameters in New Zealand white rabbits when compared to an injectable placebo (saline) and baseline data. In this randomized, blinded, complete cross-over controlled trial, ten healthy New Zealand white rabbits randomly received subcutaneous buprenorphine (0.1 mg/kg), hydromorphone (0.2 mg/kg), methadone (0.2 mg/kg), meloxicam (1 mg/kg), or a placebo (saline [equal volume to buprenorphine]) over a period of 10 weeks. Every 24 hours from day -1 to day 3, the rabbits were physically examined. The food and water intake, and fecal and urine output were recorded each day. Baseline data was obtained on day -1, and treatment was given on day 0. Day 1 to 3 were used to observe the treatment effects. A minimum 72-hour washout period between treatments was allowed. Generalized linear mixed models were employed and statistical significance was set at P<0.05. Buprenorphine decreased food consumption up to 72h and hydromorphone up to 24h. Fecal production (weight and/or pellet number) was decreased with buprenorphine up to 72h, and with methadone and hydromorphone up to 48h. Buprenorphine and hydromorphone decreased water intake up to 72h. Urine production was decreased with buprenorphine up to 48h and methadone up to 24h. Knowing the comparative effects among different analgesics will improve the medical management of rabbits.

Class of 2020 Student Loan Playbook - VIN Webinar

ATTENTION VETERINARY CLASS OF 2020 -- Get the answers you need to get your loan repayment plan started. Save time, money, and stress learning from our mistakes.

Do you have student loans? Are you confused about how or when to get your repayment plan started? What’s the “best” strategy for paying your student loans now that you’ve graduated veterinary school? Does COVID-19 impact any of those plans?

If you have or know someone who has the same questions, VIN & VIN Foundation have answers!

Register now for the third annual New Veterinary Graduate Student Loan Playbook webinar to learn why and how a Federal Direct Consolidation Loan can jumpstart your student loan repayment plan ASAP to save you time and money.

On Wednesday, May 6, 2020, 8:00 PM EDT, join Tony Bartels, DVM, MBA, to learn why ending your grace period early and starting your repayment plan ASAP is more beneficial than waiting. Learn more and register here!

Heartworm protocols during COVID-19

In the midst of the COVID-19 crisis, veterinary clinics around the world are struggling to provide basic wellness checks for our pets in an effort to prevent the spread of the virus. The American Heartworm Society recently revamped protocols and drafted recommendations for how veterinarians can still assist in preventing and controlling heartworm infections in our beloved pets. For more information, or to read up on the new recommendations, check out the AHS wesbite!

AVMF Scholarships - Apply today!

The AVMF is the American Veterinary Medical Foundation. 

"As the charitable arm of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), the AVMF is dedicated to the mission of developing resources to advance the science and practice of veterinary medicine to improve animal and human health. To achieve this mission, the AVMF provides programs in Education, Animal Care, Disaster Relief and Research.

To support the strategic initiative of Education, the AVMF invests in the teaching of veterinary students in the United States and across the globe. We make an impact on student enhancement by empowering students to achieve their goals in veterinary medicine and by recognizing and rewarding individuals who have already made extraordinary accomplishments in pursuit of their veterinary training. Our goal is to build a relationship with veterinary students that lasts a lifetime."

All five of the "Additional AVMF Scholarships" on their website are open until May 15th, and most of them are open to 1st - 3rd year students! Learn more and check out the application process here.

SARS-CoV-2 in Pets

"On April 22, the CDC announced the first National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL)-confirmed cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection in two pet cats. These are the first pets in the United States to test positive for SARS-CoV-2. Currently we have no information that suggests that pets might be a source of infection for people with the coronavirus that causes COVID-19."

Read more from the AVMA about these infected pet cats here.