Retrospective analysis of liver lobe torsion in pet rabbits: 40 cases (2016-2021)

Left medial liver lobe torsion and postoperative acute gastric rupture in a 2.5-year-old male-castrated Flemish Giant rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus)

A 2.5-year-old male-castrated rabbit presented with acute abdominal pain, lethargy, and anorexia. Digital radiography revealed increased left-sided hepatomegaly, gastric dilation, and decreased peritoneal serosal detail. Abdominal ultrasonography identified a torsed left liver lobe, gastric dilation, and peritoneal effusion. Surgery confirmed a left medial liver lobe torsion, with subsequent lobectomy and seven days of hospitalization. The patient re-presented 2 days after discharge and suddenly died while hospitalized, with acute gastric rupture, fulminant peritonitis, and multifocal hepatic infarcts diagnosed on necropsy. We believe this is the first recorded imaging diagnosis of a left medial liver lobe torsion in a rabbit.

Point of Care Ultrasound in Exotic Animal Emergency and Critical Care

Exotic pets are presented to veterinary clinics with increasing frequency for routine, urgent, and emergency needs. With these increased visits, owners' expectations for high-quality veterinary care are also increasing. Many presenting complaints of reptiles, birds, and small mammals can benefit from the use of point of care ultrasound (POCUS) to establish a minimum database, aid in triage, and help guide further diagnostics, treatment, and prognostic discussions with the owner. Hospitalized exotic patients can also have their progress tracked and better assessed with the aid of POCUS.