A non-invasive method of drug delivery, intranasal atomization, has shown positive results in human medicine and in some animal species. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of intranasal atomization, compared to intramuscular administration, of a mix of anesthetic drugs in pet rabbits. In total, 104 mixed-breed pet rabbits, undergoing various types of surgery, received a combination of ketamine, medetomidine, and butorphanol (20, 0.4, and 0.2 mg/kg) by intranasal atomization using a Mucosal Atomization Device (Group MAD) or intramuscular administration (Group IM). When required, isoflurane was dispensed through a face mask. At the end of the procedures, atipamezole was administered using the same routes in the respective Groups. There were no differences in time to loss of righting reflex between the groups, while differences were found for the need for isoflurane (higher in Group MAD) and recovery time, occurring earlier in Group MAD. The results suggest that intranasal atomization of a combination of ketamine, medetomidine, and butorphanol produces a lighter depth of anesthesia in pet rabbits, compared to intramuscular administration. Intranasal atomization can be performed to administer sedative and anesthetic drugs, avoiding the algic stimulus related to the intramuscular inoculation of drugs.

The use of local anesthetics for castration is both simple and cost-effective, and it may contribute to reducing the anesthetic requirements. Despite its common use in clinical practice, the literature regarding the effects of intratesticular lidocaine in rabbits is limited. In this study, nine rabbits per group were assigned to intratesticularly receive either 2% lidocaine (0.05 mL/kg into each testicle) or an equivalent volume of saline prior to elective orchiectomy. Anesthesia was induced by intranasal administration of ketamine, medetomidine, and butorphanol. During intraoperative assessment, no significant differences in vital parameters (heart rate, respiratory rate, and peripheral saturation of oxygen) were observed between the groups. However, rabbits receiving intratesticular saline displayed a higher incidence of responses to surgical stimuli. Postoperative pain was evaluated using the composite Centro Animali Non Convenzionali Rabbit Scale (CANCRS), revealing a significantly lower score at the initial post-surgery assessment in rabbits treated with intratesticular lidocaine. All subjects exhibited rapid resumption of food intake and fecal output. While all rabbits demonstrated satisfactory perioperative performances, the use of intratesticular lidocaine was associated with a diminished response to surgical stimuli. Consequently, this practice has the potential to reduce the requirement for additional anesthetics or analgesics, promoting faster recovery.

The nutria (Myocastor coypus), an invasive alien species, is widely spread in Europe. Pursuant to regulation (EU) no. 1143/2014, the nutria is subject to management programs to reduce its spread. Surgical fertility control is considered an acceptable method, particularly in urban circumstances, avoiding euthanasia. To maintain the hormonal patterns and the social and behavioral dynamics, surgical infertilization preserving the gonads (i.e., salpingectomy and vasectomy) is recommended. Mini-invasive surgery is an eligible choice when dealing with wildlife, allowing reduced captivation time. For these reasons, 77 free-ranging nutrias, captured in urban nuclei in Italy, underwent infertilization under general anesthesia; laparoscopic salpingectomy and vasectomy were performed on 32 animals and traditional surgery on the remainder, leaving the gonads in place. A three-port technique was used, with two paramedian trocars (5 mm) for the instruments and a median one for the telescope. Ablation was obtained through Onemytis^® plasma device, allowing a rapid surgical time with no need to place visceral sutures; the skin was surgically closed. After recovery, the animals were released, and no overt complications were noted. No modification of the behavioral patterns was noted, and the population decreased during the following months.

Surgical neutering in pet rabbits is common practice to prevent reproduction and associated health issues. Adequate postoperative pain management is crucial for recovery, yet effective methods in clinical settings remain underexplored. This study compared the analgesic effects of carprofen and meloxicam in pet rabbits undergoing surgical neutering. Fifty rabbits of varied demographics were included, with pain assessed using the Centro Animali Non Convenzionali Rabbit Scale (CANCRS). Rabbits were allocated to receive postoperative 2 mg kg⁻¹ carprofen or 1 mg kg⁻¹ meloxicam by subcutaneous injection. Anesthesia was induced with an intramuscular combination of ketamine (20 mg kg⁻¹), medetomidine (0.4 mg kg⁻¹), and butorphanol (0.2 mg kg⁻¹), and ovariectomy or orchiectomy were performed. The CANCRS scale was used to assess pain by evaluating the rabbit preoperatively, 6 h postoperatively, and at three time points the following day. Times of return to spontaneous feeding and fecal production were also recorded. No statistically significant difference was found between treatment groups based on CANCRS scores and resumption of food intake and fecal output. No clinically detectable adverse effects were noted. While limitations include the use of a single pain assessment scale and the absence of a placebo control group, the results suggest that both carprofen and meloxicam can be viable options in clinical practice. Further research utilizing diverse pain assessment methods is warranted to enhance understanding and optimize pain management strategies for rabbits undergoing surgical procedures.

European hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus) are nocturnal insectivores frequently found in urban areas. In the last decades, their population has declined in various European countries and human activities have emerged as significant contributors to this trend. While the literature has mainly focused on trauma as the major cause of mortality, few authors have considered pathological findings. The present study is based on the results of full post-mortem examinations performed on 162 European hedgehogs in Italy and 109 in Switzerland. Unlike in previous studies, the main cause of mortality was infectious diseases (60.5%), followed by traumatic insults (27.7%). The lungs were the main organ affected, showing mostly lymphoplasmacytic (45.9%), granulomatous (18.1%) or suppurative (8.2%) pneumonia. Nematodes were detected in 57.2% of all lungs and were significantly associated with pneumonia (p-value < 0.001). To our knowledge, this is the first study to report infectious diseases as the main cause of hedgehog death, emphasizing the need for wildlife rescue centers to adopt appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic measures. Further research is necessary to determine the broad range of infectious agents that affect this species and elucidate their interplay with the host. Finally, citizen sensitization should be implemented to promote responsible behaviors that could reduce human-related traumatic events.

Anaesthesia in avian species presents significant challenges due to high peri-anaesthetic mortality rates and marked anatomical variability. Multimodal anaesthetic protocols incorporating locoregional techniques are advocated to improve analgesia and minimise systemic drug requirements. While brachial plexus blocks are described for avian wing surgery, the proximity to major vessels and air sacs increases the risk of complications. This study introduces the “Avian-RUM block,” a novel locoregional technique for the distal wing, adapted from the mammalian RUMM block but modified to reflect avian neuroanatomy, which lacks a distinct musculocutaneous nerve. Twelve rock doves (Columba livia) and twelve hooded crows (Corvus cornix) received transcutaneous injections of a dye solution targeting the radial and median-ulnar nerves at two volumes (0.15 and 0.3 mL/kg). Both species demonstrated high rates of nerve staining and procedural feasibility, with no significant difference in staining length between volumes. An illustrative clinical application of the Avian-RUM block in a domestic goose is also reported to contextualise the cadaveric findings within a multimodal perioperative setting. The results confirm the feasibility of the Avian-RUM block and its potential as a simple, equipment-free technique for regional anaesthesia of the avian wing. These findings provide a foundation for future clinical validation across bird species.