Name
Indications, outcomes, and complications of resection and anastomosis in client-owned rabbits
Speakers
Description
Introduction: Enterectomy in rabbits remains poorly documented, with only six cases previously reported across four publications. The perception that rabbits do not survive gastrointestinal surgery and the lack of published outcomes data may discourage clinicians from pursuing surgical intervention when indicated. This case series describes the presentation, indication, surgery, perioperative management, and outcomes of rabbits undergoing enterectomy in a clinical setting.
Methods: Medical records of six client owned rabbits who underwent enterectomy at various hospitals were retrospectively reviewed.
Results: Six rabbits underwent enterectomy, including three small intestinal and three colonic resections (one involving both colon and rectum). Histopathologic diagnoses included colonic abscess, idiopathic smooth muscle hypertrophy, intestinal carcinoma, suspected myxosarcoma, enteritis with intussusception, and colonic diverticulum. One rabbit died in the immediate postoperative period, and one was euthanized three days postoperatively due to failure to produce formed feces following colorectal resection. Four rabbits (67%) survived to discharge with hospitalization times ranging from 3-6 days (mean 4.5 days). Return to voluntary eating occurred within 0-3 days postoperatively, and defecation occurred within 0-2 days for surviving rabbits. A routine ventral midline approach was used in all cases with no complications related to suture dehiscence or incisional herniation.
Conclusions: Enterectomy can be successfully performed in rabbits with appropriate case selection and perioperative management. The 67% survival rate suggests that surgical intervention should be considered for rabbits with surgical intestinal disease when medical management is unlikely to succeed. Further studies with long-term follow-up are needed to better define outcomes and prognostic factors.
Session Type
Lecture (25 Min)