Prognostic indicators for survival in surgically managed small intestinal obstruction in pet rabbits: 141 presentations (2011-2021).

OBJECTIVE: To determine prognostic relevance of various patient factors and intraoperative variables associated with surgical management of small intestinal obstruction in pet rabbits. ANIMALS: 114 pet rabbits with 141 presentations of small intestinal obstruction treated surgically between June 2011 and December 2021. METHODS: In a retrospective observational study design, medical records were reviewed for rabbits with small intestinal obstruction that had undergone surgical intervention. Data were collected on variables of interest and outcome (survival to hospital discharge). Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to identify variables associated with survival. RESULTS: Overall survival was 75.2% (106/141). Specifically, 95.7% (22/23) of presentations involving rabbits < 25 months survived. The odds of survival on univariable modeling were significantly lower in presentations of rabbits > 72 months compared with those < 25 months (OR, 0.05; 95% CI, 0.01 to 0.40; P = .005). Rectal temperature, clinicopathologic findings, etiology of obstruction, presence of full-thickness gastrointestinal wall injury, and previous small intestinal obstruction surgery did not show significant effects on survival. In a multivariable model that controlled for plasma potassium and calculated plasma osmolarity and tonicity, the odds of survival in presentations of rabbits > 72 months were 95% lower than those < 25 months (OR, 0.05; 95% CI, 0.01 to 0.50; P = .012). CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Surgical intervention should be considered a suitable treatment option for small intestinal obstruction in rabbits < 72 months and carried a good prognosis. The most common etiology was consistent with a compressed hair pellet, and extraluminal digital manipulation into the cecum was a successful surgical technique in most presentations.

Retrospective analysis of liver lobe torsion in pet rabbits: 40 cases (2016-2021).

BACKGROUND: Liver lobe torsion (LLT) in rabbits can be under-recognised and potentially fatal. The clinical features of cases presented to an exotic animal veterinary service in Australia were retrospectively reviewed. METHOD: Medical records of confirmed rabbit LLT cases between 2016 and 2021 were reviewed for signalment, clinical signs and findings, diagnostic imaging results, management strategies and outcomes. Variables of interest were analysed for statistical association with outcome. RESULTS: A total of 40 rabbits were included. The mean presenting age was 56.2 months (SD 30.5). Neutered males (23/40, 57.5%) were over-represented. Common clinical signs and findings included reduced appetite (40/40, 100%), lethargy (32/40, 80.0%), reduced faecal production (16/40, 40.0%), a doughy distended stomach (20/40, 50.0%), pale mucous membranes (19/40, 47.5%) and hypothermia (17/40, 42.5%). Anaemia and elevated plasma alanine aminotransferase and blood urea nitrogen were common clinicopathologic findings. Computed tomography (CT) was performed in 34 of 40 rabbits, confirming the presence and position of LLT (34/34, 100%), stenosis of the caudal vena cava or portal system (28/34, 82.4%) and increased free peritoneal fluid (29/34, 85.3%). Fifteen (15/40, 37.5%) rabbits were medically managed, and surgical intervention was performed in 23 of 40 (57.5%) rabbits. Overall, 30 of 40 (75.0%) rabbits survived. Surgical intervention did not confer a significant difference in outcome compared to medical management (odds ratio 0.77, 95% confidence interval 0.15-4.10, p = 0.761). CONCLUSION: CT can be an invaluable diagnostic modality for rabbit LLT. Favourable outcomes can be achieved in selected cases with medical management alone.

Retrospective analysis of risk factors, clinical features, and prognostic indicators for urolithiasis in guinea pigs: 158 cases (2009-2019).

OBJECTIVE: To investigate risk factors, clinical features, and prognostic indicators in guinea pigs with urolithiasis. ANIMALS: 158 guinea pigs with urolithiasis. PROCEDURES: Medical records of an exotics animal specialty service were searched, identifying guinea pigs with urolithiasis. Signalment, clinical data, and outcomes were recorded. Variables of interest were analyzed for statistical associations with outcome. RESULTS: Overall, 54.4% (86/158) of animals survived to discharge. Median survival time was 177 days. Females (53.2%; 84/158) were more common than males (46.8%; 74/158). Males were presented younger (mean age, 3.64 years) than females (4.41 years). In 81 of 154 (52.5%) cases, animals were presented with primary urinary concerns, while 73 (47.5%) presented for nonurinary primary concerns. Females more commonly presented with distal urinary tract urolithiasis (63/84; 75%) but fared better overall with a longer median survival time (1,149 days) than males (59 days). Surgical intervention was not a risk factor for nonsurvival; however, increased age (> 4.1 years), male sex, anorexia, weight loss, and lower rectal temperature (< 37.2 °C) on presentation were associated with nonsurvival. Reoccurrence was noted in 13.9% (22/158) of cases, at an average of 284 days. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Urolithiasis should always be considered a differential diagnosis for any unwell guinea pig. In particular, distal urinary tract urolithiasis should be considered in females. A poorer prognosis was associated with older, male guinea pigs, and those displaying anorexia, weight loss, and hypothermia. The need for surgical intervention should not confer a poorer outcome. Further studies are needed to determine specific risk factors and identify possible preventative measures.

Managing the Health of Captive Herds of Exotic Companion Mammals.

Common medical problems diagnosed and treated in individual companion exotic mammals are relevant in a herd-health setting. Many of these problems are often associated with poor husbandry and/or inappropriate nutrition. Rabbits, ferrets, chinchillas, and rodents have been domesticated alongside humans and an understanding of their ethology gives veterinarians a base knowledge in making recommendations for animals in their care. This article briefly reviews the ethology and husbandry in such species, but detailed needs are beyond the scope of this article.