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Experiences with frequent anesthesia

Dollie

Warren Scout
Hi everyone! I was curious if anyone has any experience with rabbits frequently requiring anesthesia for treatment. I'm specifically interested in long term effects and possible higher risks involved. Thanks for reading!
 
It would depend on how you class 'frequent'. Every couple of months for dental work isn't unusual for some rabbits. If they need the work doing, there's not much option as they lose weight and get other issues (eg stasis) - which can be life-threatening.

I would be reluctant to have 2 GAs in a week - but again. it depends in the reason. No-one puts rabbits through repeated GAs without good cause, but emergency situations happen and you have to weigh up how that rabbit copes / recovers, versus not going through with the procedure. I tend to err on the side of do the procedure if it is needed, and deal with the consequences. The consequences of 'do nothing; in the situations I've had would have meant a much shorter / poorer quality of life, or PTS.

I have to qualify some of this - have a vet that I trust, will discuss things with me in detail, and has plenty of experience with rabbit GAs. He also knows his limitations and will suggest a specialist referral if needed. I would need to be convinced by a vet I didn't know that they had experience with rabbits and GAs.
 
Thanks for your reply! I do know quite a few who need(ed) treatment for dental issues every few months. My rabbit also has dental problems (due to a malformation in the jaw) but his issues are so extreme they require treatment every two to five weeks. He's had about 25 GAs in a year now. Both the condition as well as the fact that we chose to treat him rather than euthanise him are rather unique as it turns out so it has been difficult to get any prognoses or know what to expect. I figured at the very least I couldn't be the only owner who has chosen to continue treatment despite the high frequency, but so far I haven't found any. I'm not necessarily looking for advice about how to proceed, but it would be great to hear from someone who's been down this path.
 
Phoebe was having a GA every 3 to 4 weeks for dental treatment. This went on for more than a few months until I found a diet change helped with the dental issues, it reduced GA to every 3 months until eventually we've not had to do dental for over 3 years :)

Long term she didn't suffer any effects that we can tell. She's was still young at the time which will help with the bunnies ability to cope.

Long term if worried you can have bunny on fluids during and after the procedure which will help the body to process the anaesthetic out of the body.
You can also ask the vet which agents they'll use, as some inhilation anaesthetics have more side effects etc.

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I've had 3 rabbits that required frequent dentals. One was able to have most work done on his incisors without anaesthetic. As they needed burring every 2 weeks or so, this was a good option for us, but it very much depends on the rabbit and the vet. Molar spurs would most likely need anaesthetic just in order to actually get to them and to not stress the rabbit.

Diet can make a difference. I changed their diets to increase the time between dentals. Basically, as much coarse fibre as they could manage.

Teeth change over time as well - so it is possible that the intervals will change. I got one from about every 6 weeks to 3 or 4 times a year. It can go the other way, though - teeth can go irregular with age.
 
His incisors were extracted last year, some of his molars have also been extracted in the meantime, increasing the time between every procedure. Unfortunately, the remaining molars can't be removed. His jaws are so misaligned that he cannot process solid foods, he only eats liquids (critical care mainly). It is highly unlikely any of this will improve. This means he'll need frequent GA for the rest of his life. He's already developed some resistance to the isoflurane they prefer using, so we were forced to switch to something else.
 
All I can suggest is keep doing what you are doing. Rabbits cope amazingly well if their owner is prepared to support them, which you obviously are.
 
Thanks! The plan is indeed to continue with what we're doing now. I guess I was just hoping to find someone with similar experiences and preferably someone who was going to say something along the lines of 'my rabbit has needed GA every month for years and years and he's turning ten next month' :lol: it's all so uncertain, I could do with some reassurance ;)
 
His incisors were extracted last year, some of his molars have also been extracted in the meantime, increasing the time between every procedure. Unfortunately, the remaining molars can't be removed. His jaws are so misaligned that he cannot process solid foods, he only eats liquids (critical care mainly). It is highly unlikely any of this will improve. This means he'll need frequent GA for the rest of his life. He's already developed some resistance to the isoflurane they prefer using, so we were forced to switch to something else.
Isoflo is the "safest" of them all, but there are others that are good for exotic animals so I'd assume they've swapped over to another suitable one.
So long as you have confidence in your vets I wouldn't worry.

Anaesthesics are short lived within the system but can affect the liver/kidneys so maybe consider when bun is older doing a blood screening test just to keep an eye on function and treat as needed if problems arise (earlier treatment is more effective and will ensure a longer life)

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I think i've asked this a few times, maybe their are some answers that might help

http://forums.rabbitrehome.org.uk/showthread.php?469523-Regular-anaesthetics

I also remembering someone having a bun who had loads of dentals & a long n happy life on another thread of mine, I'll try to find it for you

It may be that your bunny is such a braver little fighter that he'll set the benchmark for coping with GA's & dentals. I hope he continues to cope well

Thank you for sharing this! I see the topic is from a few years ago, how is Boo doing now?

So far, Mars has exceeded everyone's expectations and of course I hope he'll continue to do so! He always has an easy recovery and because we started treatment at a very young age (four weeks) he doesn't know any different, doesn't mind car rides and thinks the vet's waiting room is tons of fun.
 
Thank you for sharing this! I see the topic is from a few years ago, how is Boo doing now?

So far, Mars has exceeded everyone's expectations and of course I hope he'll continue to do so! He always has an easy recovery and because we started treatment at a very young age (four weeks) he doesn't know any different, doesn't mind car rides and thinks the vet's waiting room is tons of fun.

Boo is doing Ok thanks - she has 1-2 dentals a year which is a lot better than how we started. I did look for that thread but couldn't find it - sorry. Somebody definitely spoke of an older bun (I think 9/10 years) who had been having dentals regularly (probably every few months not weeks) for most of their life. I'm pleased you're giving Mars this opportunity & he obviously handles it really well. How a bunny copes with whats going on is the key thing in my opinion
 
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