Background-Rabbits are prone to facial abscesses that are difficult to treat due to their unique anatomy. The prevalence of disease of the neurocranium (ie the bones surrounding the brain) and its appearance on CT have not been described in rabbits. Our study describes the origins of intracranial disease in rabbits and how it correlates with clinical signs and CT findings. Methods-This study focused on medical records and radiologist reviewed CT reports from eligible client-owned rabbits at a veterinary teaching hospital from 2010 to 2023. Data extracted from the medical records included signalment, physical exam results indicating the presence of neurological, retrobulbar, or aural disease, and various CT findings (including presence of periapical dental disease, otitis media or interna, retrobulbar, and nasal disease). Results-Of a total of 301 skull CT included, 13 rabbits (4.3%) had evidence of neurocranial disease. Head tilt was present in three rabbits, ataxia in two, lip contracture, and palpebral deficit in one rabbit. Eleven rabbits had osseus changes at the level of the neurocranium, and five rabbits had evidence of cerebral involvement. Changes in at least one bulla were observed in 7 rabbits, periapical changes of the maxillary teeth were present in 5 rabbits, retrobulbar changes in 2 rabbits and nasal disease in 2 rabbits. Conclusions-Neurocranial changes are found mostly as a consequence of otitis media/interna and may be asymptomatic in pet rabbits.
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