Name
Subcutaneous Ureteral Bypass (SUB TM) for the treatment of ureteral obstruction in three rabbits
Description

Subcutaneous Ureteral Bypass (SUB TM) is a permanent silicon nephrostomy tube connected to a cystotomy tube, designed to treat ureteral obstructions in cats and dogs. No published cases exist reporting clinical use in rabbits. This device was successfully placed in three pet rabbits (5-year-old 5.0kg MN Flemish Giant, 7-year-old 1.5kg FS lop, 3.6-year-old 2.0kg MN lop). All were diagnosed with ureteral obstructions secondary to urolithiasis, presented for dysorexia, and showed weight loss, severe azotemia, and renal pelvic dilatation or hydronephrosis. Rabbits received the SUB TM 2.0 or 3.0 system (Norfolk Vet Products Inc.) and were discharged 2-6 days after surgery in good general condition with improved azotemia. The Flemish Giant rabbit was euthanized 3-months post-surgery in severe renal failure from obstructive urolithiaisis of the contralateral ureter and encrustation of the SUB TM device. The female lop rabbit was euthanized 19-days post-surgery with multi-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection of the device and increasing azotemia. The male lop rabbit remains surviving 11 months after surgery, undergoing hospice care with daily subcutaneous fluids for severe chronic kidney disease secondary to severe encrustation of the SUB TM device. The SUB TM can be successfully placed in rabbits, though may not be recommended due rapid calcification of the SUB TM apparatus resulting from unique calcium absorption and elimination of rabbits. The same complications as described in other species can also be expected. More studies are needed to determine if any husbandry and flushing regime would keep mineralization at manageable levels, but ethical implications must be considered.

Session Type
Poster