Avoid adverse reactions in rabbits

Rabbits have unique metabolic processes that make them sensitive to certain active ingredients commonly found in veterinary prescription medicines. Administering these substances can lead to severe adverse reactions or toxicity. Active ingredients in EU veterinary prescription medicines that rabbits cannot metabolise include:

1. Fipronil: Commonly used in flea and tick treatments for dogs and cats, fipronil is highly toxic to rabbits and can cause serious neurological symptoms or death.
2. Permethrin: A synthetic pyrethroid insecticide found in many spot-on treatments for other pets. Rabbits are extremely sensitive to permethrin, which can lead to poisoning.
3. Amitraz: Used as an acaricide for treating mites and ticks in certain animals. In rabbits, amitraz can cause toxic reactions, including depression, hypothermia, and hyperglycemia.
4. Lincomycin: An antibiotic that can disrupt the delicate balance of gut flora in rabbits, leading to severe gastrointestinal disturbances and potentially fatal diarrhea.
5. Clindamycin: Similar to lincomycin, clindamycin can cause significant gastrointestinal issues in rabbits due to their sensitive digestive systems.
6. Erythromycin: This antibiotic can lead to severe digestive disturbances in rabbits, including fatal enterotoxemia.
7. Amoxicillin: While commonly used in other animals, amoxicillin can cause severe gastrointestinal upset in rabbits and is generally contraindicated.
8. Cephalosporins: This class of antibiotics can disrupt the normal gut flora in rabbits, leading to overgrowth of harmful bacteria and severe digestive issues.
9. Tylosin: An antibiotic that can cause severe gastrointestinal disturbances in rabbits, including fatal enterotoxemia.
10. Loperamide: An anti-diarrheal medication that can slow down the gut motility in rabbits excessively, leading to gastrointestinal stasis, a serious condition in this species.

It is essential for veterinarians to consult specialised guidance when prescribing medications for rabbits, as their unique physiology makes them particularly susceptible to certain substances. Incorrect medication can lead to severe or even fatal consequences, so careful consideration is key.