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Taenia serialis causing exophthalmos in a pet rabbit
Anu O'Reilly1, Christina McCowan, Chloe Hardman
1Animal Eye Care, 181 Darling Road, East Malvern, Victoria 3145, Australia. anutony@ozemail.com.au
Veterinary Ophthalmology
|September 19, 2002
Summary
A rabbit experienced eye bulging due to a parasitic cyst. Surgical removal of the coenurus cyst from Taenia serialis successfully treated the exophthalmos.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Ophthalmology
- Parasitology
- Ophthalmology
Background:
- Exophthalmos in rabbits can be caused by various orbital diseases.
- Orbital cysts require accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment to prevent vision loss.
Observation:
- A 16-month-old Dwarf Lop rabbit presented with a 3-week history of right eye exophthalmos.
- Ocular ultrasound revealed a hypo-echoic orbital area, suspected to be a cyst.
- Fine needle aspiration drained 5.5 mL of fluid, temporarily resolving the exophthalmos.
Findings:
- Recurrent exophthalmos prompted exploratory surgery.
- A large cystic structure was surgically excised from the ventro-lateral conjunctival fornix.
- Histopathology confirmed the cyst as a coenurus, a larval stage of *Taenia serialis*.
Implications:
- This case highlights *Taenia serialis* coenurosis as a differential diagnosis for orbital masses in rabbits.
- Prompt diagnosis and surgical intervention are crucial for managing orbital coenurosis.
- Understanding parasitic causes of exophthalmos improves diagnostic and therapeutic strategies in exotic animal practice.
