Rabbit Medicine and Surgery Q&A 15
This question was provided by Manson Publishing as part of the OVAL Project. See more Rabbit Medicine and Surgery questions |
A seven-year-old intact male English rabbit, housed indoors, presents with acute onset tachypnoea and laboured breathing. There is a three-month history of weight loss, hindlimb weakness and rapid fatigue. The rabbit is alert, thin and weak. The mucous membranes are pale, with prolonged capillary refill time. A good response is noted to oxygen administration. The rabbit is sedated with intravenous midazolam and lateral and ventrodorsal radiographs of the thorax are taken.
Question | Answer | Article | |
What are the differential diagnoses in this case? | Congestive heart failure (myocardial, valvular and congenital disease) is seen in middle-aged to older rabbits. The weakness, weight loss and rapid fatigue observed, although non-specific signs, should arouse suspicion of cardiac or lower respiratory disease.
|
Link to Article | |
Based on the radiographic findings, what immediate treatment would you consider? | The radiographs show a pleural effusion. Immediate thoracocentesis will help stabilize the rabbit as well as determine the type of effusion.
In this case 20 ml of a serosanguinous fluid was obtained from both left and right sides of the chest. It was found to be a modified transudate with a protein of 22.4 g/l (2.4 g/dl) (ref: 25–30 g/l [2.5–3 g/dl]) and a nucleated cell count of 2 × 109/l (2000/μl) (ref: 1–7 × 109/l [1000–7000/μl]). No organisms were cultured. |
Link to Article | |
What further diagnostic tests might be helpful? |
|
Link to Article |