Associations between biochemical parameters and referral centre in pet rabbits with urolithiasis

To determine the association between signalment, selected haematologic and biochemical parameters and referral centre in pet rabbits with imaging evidence of urolithiasis presented to two veterinary teaching hospitals in North America.

The medical record database of two veterinary teaching hospitals was searched from 2009 to 2019 for records of pet rabbits that received both imaging studies and plasma biochemistry profiles. Information regarding signalment, bodyweight, packed cell volume, total solids, and plasma biochemistry profiles was obtained. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression models were performed to identify statistically significant parameters associated with imaging evidence of urolithiasis.

Of the 324 examined rabbits, 33 (10.2%) had confirmed evidence of urolithiasis on imaging. Increasing plasma calcium and sodium concentrations and referral centre were significantly associated with the presence of urolithiasis on the univariable logistic regression model. However, only plasma calcium concentration and the referral centre demonstrated significant associations on the multivariable logistic regression model.

Results indicate that urolithiasis in pet rabbits that receive imaging is associated with mildly increasing plasma calcium concentration and referral centre. The association with referral centre may indicate there are geographic influences on urolithiasis or on imaging. However, the identified associations have low predictive value for the diagnosis of urolithiasis, indicating the need for additional diagnostic modalities.