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Is Liquid Paraffin useful ever??

Sue&Smokes

Young Bun
Hi,

After reading a few posts regarding use of liquid paraffin and being very sceptical about it myself, am just wondering if anyone does ever use liquid paraffin in their bunnies as my own vet (who is rabbit savvy and follows Frances Harcourt-Browns textbook of rabbit medicine) does prescribe this from time to time.

My own concerns have been that administering a dose of paraffin might well do more harm than good as it might produce a vaseline like coating and prevent fluids from reaching a mass. However, I was recently given this for one of my own rabbits for a case of cecal impacation and was told it was completely safe and inert. The dose I was prescribed was actually 2ml a day for a few days and this was for a rabbit only weighing about 950g :? However, I did give my rabbit some as it had been prescribed for her and I have had no negative effects from giving it to her. I did check the dosage in FHB's manual and it does state that (on page 99) that liquid paraffin should be administered at 1-2ml/kg bid, so, I think what I was given was high, but it does state it is used to treat cecal impaction which is a difficult but not impossible problem to treat. Further medication indicated is fluids and pain medication.

Also, asked for a second opinion from a contact in america on liquid paraffin (as USA seem to be ahead of us in lots of meds, drugs that they use) and was told it was used in cases where a bun was drinking, just not pooping and in those times that it was used ( and was apparently used at much lower doses than was prescribed for my bun) that it worked very well. Reason given for this was that the person had tried fluids to try to help her own bunnies pass a mass, however, this wasn't working, so they added liquid paraffin to make it slippery which did the trick.

My own thoughts are therefore that it may be useful in cases of a suspected mass ( and maybe if you have tried everything else and it hasn't worked) and that administering liquid paraffin may indeed actually help sometimes, although, I do think fluids are of upmost importance too.

Any other thoughts on this, would be interested to hear,


Thanks,


Sue
 
I've also discussed this with a guy who specialises in Cotton Tail rehabilitation in the US (via another forum) and he is of the same opinion as me, it's a very dangerous and outdated practice most often prescribed by so-called 'cat vets'.

The only way I would ever contemplate it personally would be in a rabbit who I KNEW to be fully hydrated (had been receiving fluid therapy etc.) where the only other option was surgery and who had not responded to conventional treatment. Basically, as a last ditch attempt, because I will not allow GI surgery on my rabbits.
This would be when the other alternative was simply PTS.

That said, I have been in this position before and opted not to use oil lubricants. The rabbit in question was extremely dehydrated despite fluid therapy and was in a lot of pain which even opiates could not relieve. I could not bring myself to prolong his suffering further.
 
Hi,

After reading a few posts regarding use of liquid paraffin and being very sceptical about it myself, am just wondering if anyone does ever use liquid paraffin in their bunnies as my own vet (who is rabbit savvy and follows Frances Harcourt-Browns textbook of rabbit medicine) does prescribe this from time to time.

My own concerns have been that administering a dose of paraffin might well do more harm than good as it might produce a vaseline like coating and prevent fluids from reaching a mass. However, I was recently given this for one of my own rabbits for a case of cecal impacation and was told it was completely safe and inert. The dose I was prescribed was actually 2ml a day for a few days and this was for a rabbit only weighing about 950g :? However, I did give my rabbit some as it had been prescribed for her and I have had no negative effects from giving it to her. I did check the dosage in FHB's manual and it does state that (on page 99) that liquid paraffin should be administered at 1-2ml/kg bid, so, I think what I was given was high, but it does state it is used to treat cecal impaction which is a difficult but not impossible problem to treat. Further medication indicated is fluids and pain medication.

Also, asked for a second opinion from a contact in america on liquid paraffin (as USA seem to be ahead of us in lots of meds, drugs that they use) and was told it was used in cases where a bun was drinking, just not pooping and in those times that it was used ( and was apparently used at much lower doses than was prescribed for my bun) that it worked very well. Reason given for this was that the person had tried fluids to try to help her own bunnies pass a mass, however, this wasn't working, so they added liquid paraffin to make it slippery which did the trick.

My own thoughts are therefore that it may be useful in cases of a suspected mass ( and maybe if you have tried everything else and it hasn't worked) and that administering liquid paraffin may indeed actually help sometimes, although, I do think fluids are of upmost importance too.

Any other thoughts on this, would be interested to hear,


Thanks,


Sue

I do, normally if I've had a few stringy poo's, I put a couple of drops on pellets. I do have metaclop in for any statis type problems, but I do use it while in moult.
 
I have used it and will continue to use it in certain circumstances:D I swear by it and it has worked every time for me and considering I have been using it on occassions over the past 3 years, I have never seen any ill effects from the usage of it:D On 2 of the occassions I have had bloat, I have given the liquid paraffin along with infacol and metacam and by the time I have reached the vets, my bun has pulled through and no further treatment was necessary at the vets apart from the consultation fee:lol::lol: My vets have no problems with the administration of liquid paraffin either:)

I would stress here though that bloat and gut statis are two entirely different things, bloat being the quicker killer out of the two:)

From articles I have read, past and present, I am finding more and more of the old fashioned methods of treatments being more affective than modern day treatments. Having also read many articles from breeders, I also find that many breeders also use old methods of treatment for certain ailments so I would certainly not diss the idea or automatically assume that it is a definate no no for buns:)

I know plenty of people on here use it and like me, still have their buns alive and well many years later so it cannot be that bad;) just depends on what you need to use it for;):)

The first I heard about it was on here from Adele and as I say, it has worked for me and I will continue to use it in the future when my buns are in severe moult or the start of bloat:) It is a laxative at the end of the day and if your bunny has a blockage, it needs to be lubricative in order to move any obstruction that is causing the blockage/mass in the first place, having a vaseline coating effect is not going to obstruct fluid intact reaching the mass;):)
 
Hi,

After reading a few posts regarding use of liquid paraffin and being very sceptical about it myself, am just wondering if anyone does ever use liquid paraffin in their bunnies as my own vet (who is rabbit savvy and follows Frances Harcourt-Browns textbook of rabbit medicine) does prescribe this from time to time.

My own concerns have been that administering a dose of paraffin might well do more harm than good as it might produce a vaseline like coating and prevent fluids from reaching a mass. However, I was recently given this for one of my own rabbits for a case of cecal impacation and was told it was completely safe and inert. The dose I was prescribed was actually 2ml a day for a few days and this was for a rabbit only weighing about 950g :? However, I did give my rabbit some as it had been prescribed for her and I have had no negative effects from giving it to her. I did check the dosage in FHB's manual and it does state that (on page 99) that liquid paraffin should be administered at 1-2ml/kg bid, so, I think what I was given was high, but it does state it is used to treat cecal impaction which is a difficult but not impossible problem to treat. Further medication indicated is fluids and pain medication.

Also, asked for a second opinion from a contact in america on liquid paraffin (as USA seem to be ahead of us in lots of meds, drugs that they use) and was told it was used in cases where a bun was drinking, just not pooping and in those times that it was used ( and was apparently used at much lower doses than was prescribed for my bun) that it worked very well. Reason given for this was that the person had tried fluids to try to help her own bunnies pass a mass, however, this wasn't working, so they added liquid paraffin to make it slippery which did the trick.

My own thoughts are therefore that it may be useful in cases of a suspected mass ( and maybe if you have tried everything else and it hasn't worked) and that administering liquid paraffin may indeed actually help sometimes, although, I do think fluids are of upmost importance too.

Any other thoughts on this, would be interested to hear,


Thanks,


Sue

I would never use Liquid Paraffin orally for the reasons Sooz stated. An impacted mass coated with liquid paraffin will not absord fluid. Dehydration of gut contents is a major factor in all cases of GI stasis. Once a Buns guts slow down or stop they rapidly absorb fluid from their intestines. So rehydration with both subcutaneous and oral fluids is far more beneficial.
I would be OK with Liquid Paraffin being used in an enema if all else failed when treating a case of ileus

Janex :)
 
Last edited:
I would never use Liquid Paraffin orally for the reasons Sooz stated.
I would be OK with it being used in an enema if all else failed when treating a case of ileus

Janex :)

I didn't know it could be used in an enema, I'd never have thought of that.
How common is it for a rabbit with ileus to have an enema performed? I did read some literature on it but have never met anyone (maybe that should be anybun) who has had it done.
 
I didn't know it could be used in an enema, I'd never have thought of that.
How common is it for a rabbit with ileus to have an enema performed? I did read some literature on it but have never met anyone (maybe that should be anybun) who has had it done.

It needs to be done by a skilled Vet to avoid rupturing the rectum. It is a sort of 'when all else fails' proceedure

Janex :)
 
Hi,

However, I was recently given this for one of my own rabbits for a case of cecal impacation and was told it was completely safe and inert. The dose I was prescribed was actually 2ml a day for a few days and this was for a rabbit only weighing about 950g :? However, I did give my rabbit some as it had been prescribed for her and I have had no negative effects from giving it to her. I did check the dosage in FHB's manual and it does state that (on page 99) that liquid paraffin should be administered at 1-2ml/kg bid, so, I think what I was given was high, but it does state it is used to treat cecal impaction which is a difficult but not impossible problem to treat. Further medication indicated is fluids and pain medication.

Also, asked for a second opinion from a contact in america on liquid paraffin (as USA seem to be ahead of us in lots of meds, drugs that they use) and was told it was used in cases where a bun was drinking, just not pooping and in those times that it was used ( and was apparently used at much lower doses than was prescribed for my bun) that it worked very well. Reason given for this was that the person had tried fluids to try to help her own bunnies pass a mass, however, this wasn't working, so they added liquid paraffin to make it slippery which did the trick.

My own thoughts are therefore that it may be useful in cases of a suspected mass ( and maybe if you have tried everything else and it hasn't worked) and that administering liquid paraffin may indeed actually help sometimes, although, I do think fluids are of upmost importance too.

Any other thoughts on this, would be interested to hear,


Thanks,


Sue

Sounds like you have a good vet which is a good thing:D:D:D Its good to hear of vets that spend many years training to become qualified vets and research rabbit health through people like FHB etc. I doubt very much that you would of been prescribed it if they thought your rabbit would of been in any danger from its usage:D Many vets use it along with other medications that are only licensed for cats so try not to worry.

Your best bet if you wish to further your research on the matter is to ask Dana Krempel on Ask the Experts, its where alot of members get their advice from ;)
 
I was given liquid parafin for Bobby as a last resort when he had a blockage. He'd had 3 days of metacam and syringe feeding and nothing was really working, so the vet gave liquid parafin and it did the job!
 
Extracted from 'Gastro-Intestinal Stasis: The Silent Killer' by Dana M. Krempels:

E. Petroleum-based laxatives: use with caution.

Laxative-grade mineral oil or commercial products such as Laxatone or Petromalt do not affect intestinal motility. Some veterinarians prescribe them in the hope that they might help to slide dry, impacted matter through the intestine more easily.
Note, however, that if the intestinal contents are severely dehydrated and brick-hard (yes, we have seen this!), a coating of vaseline-like substance over them will merely impede their re-hydration and make it more difficult for the mass to break up and begin passing normally. For this reason, it is probably wise to concentrate on re-hydrating the intestinal contents before using petroleum-based laxatives, if they are to be used at all.

Note also that whereas malt-flavored remedies in a tube are often preferred by the bunny, some vets believe that their higher viscosity may actually contribute to holding a mass of impacted food together, especially if the intestinal contents are dehydrated. Unscented, laxative grade mineral oil is less viscous, and may be more effective. Always administer such substances with care so that the bunny does not aspirate (inhale) any. Petroleum-based laxatives should not be given daily or long term, as they can impede the absorption of important, fat-soluble vitamins.

http://www.bio.miami.edu/hare/ileus.html
 
Dana, as fabulous as she is and I honestly do love her, isn't a vet, we could have quotes off all nights, here's one for you Liquid parafin quote

Seriously though, I do use L/P and am not about to stop, as I do think it helps, each to their own though :D

Anyway I'm off to bed :wave:
 
Well my vet gave LP for my bun last week as he is in GI statis.

Although I am no vet I really dislike giving anything that you can't find naturally. Sooz gave me some great advice and without needing the 4mils daily of LP, I syringed warm water instead and Arthur has made a good recovery. On the LP he was hunched and looked in pain but just a couple of doses of water he really perked up. His eyes went from hazy to bright and alert.

The first poop after the LP was oily but no real substance, with the water a nice lumpy mound came out :D Sorry if your eating while reading this :D
 
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Is Liquid paraffin useful ever??

Hi,

Thanks to all for the input regarding use of liquid paraffin (sorry it got into bit of a heated debate) but read with interest and was pleased to hear that there are people using this in their rabbits without any ill effects :) This is what I was particularly interested to find out and why I started the thread.

Although there is obviously divided opinion on this and I did have my own reservations about using this too, I have to say, I have become more 'open minded' on the use of paraffin now and can see that in difficult to treat cases, such as cecal impaction that it might well save the life of a rabbit, when other treatments such as fluid therapy and pain meds have not been enough.

Also, have to respect the very well renowned 'Frances Harcourt-Brown' who is probably one of the best (if not the best) recognised rabbit vets in this country and her views on liquid paraffin are stated in her textbook of rabbit medicine, which was of course, written for vets. Wish I had my own copy, but my vet is always showing me the relevant information taken from it.

Hope this thread has been helpful to others too,

Best Wishes


Sue
 
I think perhaps the blockages that Sooz and Jane are talking about are different to what I use L/P for, if any of my buns seemed to have a major obstruction, they would be admitted to the vets anyway.

I started using it after I lost one of my rescues Delilah to a hair obstruction, she died as she was about to have surgery to remove it. Since then I've used a bit during moults when I see stringy poo's, but not after the bun seems to be so bad it needs a vet (if you get me).

I had my most problems with my rabbit Holly who has had some very poorly tums, she lives with a cashy lop and since I've left her to be total free range she's stopped getting them (touch wood, famous last words). She use to only be locked away in the largest puppy crate over night, but now she's never locked in and only uses it as a base, I think she mainly got clogged up guts, as she use to over-groom Dylan out of bordem and because she adores him and that would start her problems, I keep Dylan shaved now too (although I just glanced at her and she's grooming the hell out him :rolleyes:)

Here is a piccie of one of her stringy poo's, after I'd given her L/P Scary poo pic , I certainly wouldn't recommend anyone to go against their vet, my one vet swears by L/P and my other does not. If I've ever given L/P I will always tell my vet about it.

I think a lot of people are split down the middle about it, people either strongly agree or strongly don't and that's in the veterinary world too.

Anyway, glad you've a positive outcome and your bun is ok :D
 
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