Retrospective study identifying risk factors for dacryocystitis in pet rabbits

Conformation-associated health in pet rabbits in the UK: A VetCompass cohort study

BACKGROUND

Domestic rabbit breeds vary substantially from the wild rabbit body type. However, little is known about how the conformation of pet rabbits influences their health.

METHODS

Data were extracted from VetCompass anonymised clinical records of rabbits under UK primary veterinary care during 2019.

RESULTS

The study included 162,107 rabbits. Based on 88,693 rabbits with relevant breed information recorded, skull shape was classified as brachycephalic (79.69%), mesaticephalic (16.80%) and dolichocephalic (3.51%). Based on 83,821 rabbits with relevant breed information recorded, ear carriage was classified as lop-eared (57.05%) and erect-eared (42.95%). From a random sample of 3933 rabbits, the most prevalent disorders recorded overall were overgrown nail(s) (28.19%), overgrown molar(s) (14.90%) and obesity (8.82%). Compared to those with a mesaticephalic skull shape, brachycephalic rabbits had lower odds of obesity, anorexia and gastrointestinal stasis and higher odds of perineal faecal impaction, tear duct abnormality and haircoat disorder. Compared to erect-eared rabbits, lop-eared rabbits had higher odds of perineal faecal impaction and tear duct abnormality.

LIMITATION

A large proportion of records with incomplete breed information hindered full analysis for breed-related and conformation-related attributes.

CONCLUSION

Limited evidence for major links between skull shape or ear carriage conformations and overall disorder risk suggests that factors such as husbandry or even just living life as a domesticated species may be bigger drivers of common health issues in pet rabbits in the UK.

Computed Tomographic Findings Secondary to Dental Pathologies: Comparison between Rabbits and Guinea Pigs

(1) Background: dental pathologies are the most frequent reason for requesting a CT scan of the head in rabbits and guinea pigs. The study aimed to review head CT exams of both species to identify and characterize lesions secondary to dental disease. (2) Methods: head CT studies of 48 rabbits and 52 guinea pigs with dental pathologies were reviewed. (3) Results: dental abnormalities of mandibular teeth were the most represented, both in rabbits (81.2%) and guinea pigs (98%). The aggressive bone lesion associated with teeth was the more frequently observed bone lesion in rabbits' mandible and maxilla; in guinea pigs, the more frequent bone lesions were bulging around the roots of the teeth with focal lysis in the maxilla, and without focal lysis in the mandible. In the maxilla, the increased attenuation of nasal cavities (rhinitis) was the most frequently observed abnormality both in rabbits (60%) and guinea pigs (83.3%); the exophthalmos was more represented in rabbits (53.3%). In the mandible, the cavernous space-occupying lesion was more represented both in rabbits (92.3%) and guinea pigs (73.3%). (4) Conclusions: lesions secondary to dental pathologies were often observed both in rabbits and guinea pigs; CT examination has proven to be valuable in detecting secondary alterations in both species.