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Updated: Jul 11, 2026
07:33
A Mouse Model of Intestinal Partial Obstruction
Published on: March 5, 2018
Gastric dilation and intestinal obstruction in 76 rabbits
1Harrogate, North Yorkshire.
The Veterinary Record
|September 25, 2007
Summary
Rabbit gastrointestinal obstructions, often caused by hair ingestion, lead to gastric dilation. Prompt diagnosis via radiography and surgical intervention improve survival rates for affected pet rabbits.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Small Animal Internal Medicine
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Gastric dilation (GD) and intestinal obstruction are serious conditions in pet rabbits.
- Understanding the causes and outcomes of these conditions is crucial for effective treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the causes and outcomes of gastric dilation and intestinal obstruction in pet rabbits.
- To evaluate the diagnostic utility of radiography in these cases.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective investigation of 84 incidents of gastric dilation in 76 pet rabbits.
- Confirmation of intestinal obstruction in 64 rabbits through diagnostic imaging and/or surgery.
- Analysis of obstruction causes, including hair, foreign bodies, neoplasia, and adhesions.
- Assessment of radiography's role in diagnosing digestive tract distension.
Main Results:
- Intestinal obstruction was confirmed in 64 rabbits, most commonly caused by compressed hair pellets (49 cases).
- Other causes included locust bean seeds, neoplasia, post-spay adhesions, and various foreign materials.
- Radiography effectively identified gas and fluid, highlighting dilated stomach and intestines.
- Of 40 rabbits undergoing surgery, 19 recovered, while 29 died or were euthanized without treatment.
Conclusions:
- Hair ingestion is a primary cause of intestinal obstruction leading to gastric dilation in rabbits.
- Radiography is a valuable diagnostic tool for identifying digestive tract abnormalities.
- Surgical intervention, despite risks, offers a chance of recovery for rabbits with intestinal obstructions.
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