Cisapride is a prescription medication used in veterinary medicine to address gastrointestinal motility issues in rabbits. It is not an over-the-counter drug and requires a veterinarian’s assessment and prescription. The medication stimulates digestive tract movement, supporting a rabbit’s gut health.
Cisapride’s Purpose in Rabbit Care
Cisapride functions as a prokinetic agent, stimulating muscle contractions within the digestive tract. It enhances acetylcholine release, a neurotransmitter promoting smooth muscle activity from the esophagus to the colon. This accelerates food passage through the stomach and intestines, improving gastrointestinal motility. Cisapride addresses conditions where natural gut movement slows or stops.
This medication is often prescribed for gastrointestinal (GI) stasis, a common and potentially life-threatening condition in rabbits. GI stasis occurs when stomach and intestinal contractions reduce, slowing or stopping food movement. Symptoms include decreased appetite, reduced or absent fecal output, bloating, and abdominal pain. By promoting normal gut movement, cisapride helps prevent dangerous gas and dehydrated material accumulation, aiding in resolving this serious condition.
Giving Cisapride to Your Rabbit
Cisapride for rabbits is typically administered orally, often as a liquid suspension prepared by compounding pharmacies, as it is not commercially available in North America. A veterinarian must always determine the precise dosage, based on the rabbit’s weight and specific condition. Owners should never self-prescribe or adjust the dosage.
An oral syringe is commonly used to administer the liquid medication. Gently insert the syringe tip into the side of the rabbit’s mouth, aiming towards the back of the throat, and slowly dispense the medication for comfortable swallowing. Proper restraint, like wrapping the rabbit in a towel, ensures safe, effective administration and minimizes stress. Giving the medication with a small treat or meal can also make the process more positive and encourage consumption.
Monitoring and Safety During Treatment
Careful owner monitoring is important when a rabbit receives cisapride. Owners should observe changes in appetite, behavior, or droppings’ consistency and quantity. While uncommon, side effects can include vomiting, diarrhea, or abdominal discomfort. More serious signs, such as incoordination, excessive drooling, muscle twitching, agitation, abnormal behavior, increased body temperature, or seizures, may indicate an overdose requiring immediate veterinary attention.
Adhering strictly to the veterinarian’s prescribed schedule is important. If a dose is missed, give it as soon as remembered unless it’s almost time for the next dose; then skip it and resume the regular schedule, avoiding double doses. Inform the veterinarian about all other medications, supplements, or herbal therapies the rabbit receives, as cisapride interacts with various drugs, including certain antifungals and heart medications. Cisapride should not be used in cases of gastrointestinal bleeding, total blockage, or a perforated intestine, as increased motility could be harmful. Ongoing communication with the veterinarian ensures the rabbit’s safety and well-being.