Caecal Impaction – Rabbit

Caecal impaction occurs in many syndromes in rabbits and can be difficult to assess. Harcourt Brown describes three distinct conditions: Caecal impaction, Dysautonomia and Mucoid enteropathy, the last two being described by other authors (eg. Whitwell) as the single condition, Constipative Mucoid Enteropathy (CME).

A rabbit with caecal impaction is inappetant and shows weight loss, although does not otherwise appear particularly unwell. The onset of clinical signs is insidious. Faecal output is reduced or absent and there may be mucus production. The impacted caecum is easily detected by gentle abdominal palpation. The caecum may dilate in later stages and this is seen on plain radiography.

Treatment is aimed at softening the impacted material (aggressive fluid therapy: IV SC IP and oral) and liquid paraffin may be administered by naso-oesophageal tube. COX-sparing NSAIDs are indicated (prostaglandin action is required on the fusus coli). Harcourt Brown (2002) describes the use of dinoprost.

Dysautonomia/Constipative Mucoid Enteropathy (CME) is more commonly encountered in weanling rabbits whereas simple caecal impaction is more common in adult pets.

References

• Harcourt Brown, F. (2002) Textbook of Rabbit Medicine, published by Butterworth Heinemann, Oxford. ISBN 0 7506 4002 2
• Whitwell, K. E. (1997) Mucoid Enteropathy: A new perspective. Procs Rabbit Welfare Fund Conference Watford