ACZM Emergency principles are the same for rabbits as for other small companion animals. The clinician should know how to access reference information regarding normal vital signs, monitoring considerations and disease predisposition. Hypothermia accompanies shock so a water-circulating heating pad should be maintained under the rabbit and a towel can be draped over the animal to prevent heat loss. Hypothermia is also a common post-operative problem that can be prevented by careful planning during recovery. Avoid heat lamps since rabbits have fairly thin skin.
Rabbits are very heat-sensitive and hyperthermia is a common cause for emergency presentation.
Cardiovascular System Monitoring Heart rate in rabbits is given as a range of 130-325 beats per minute. Smaller rabbits have the higher heart rates. A Doppler blood flow monitor can be placed over the central auricular artery, radial artery or plantar artery. A cuff placed proximal to the Doppler crystal can be used to indirectly measure blood pressure. Systolic pressures range 90-120 mmHg.