Name
Epidemiology of Corneal Surface Disease in Pet Rabbits at a Veterinary Teaching Hospital
Description
The objective of this study is to explore the epidemiology of corneal ulcers in client-owned rabbits regarding etiology, presenting complaint, clinical signs, prescribed treatment, and lesion type at a veterinary teaching hospital. Several preliminary studies have looked at the health and welfare conditions affecting pet rabbits. While the incidence of ocular disease and by association corneal surface disease in rabbits is highly variable across the literature, corneal ulceration is anecdotally reported as a prevalent ocular disease in pet rabbits. Despite this, a thorough search of the literature did not reveal any previous retrospective investigations characterizing corneal surface disease in rabbits. Research was performed on the [masked for review] case search database from January 1st, 2007 to August 1st 2024 using relevant keywords. Individual medical records were evaluated and the following data points extracted: clinical signs associated with the corneal ulcer, eye(s) involved, description of ulcer, date ulcer was diagnosed, underlying cause and treatment. Rabbits with subsequent diagnosis of corneal ulcers within 10 days of an anesthetic event were categorized as peri-anesthetic. Preliminary results show superficial corneal ulcers are the most common corneal surface disease diagnosed. The most commonn identified causes include trauma, exposure keratitis (buphthalmos, exophthalmos, or peri anesthetic) and facial nerve paralysis.
Session Type
Lecture (25 Min)