Intestinal Surgery in Rabbits

Advances in rabbit intestinal physiology and diagnostic imaging have clarified surgical indications and improved safety with modern anesthesia and critical care. This review focuses on mechanical obstructions, appendiceal disorders, and intestinal biopsies. Intestinal obstruction remains a common rabbit emergency; most trichobezoars pass spontaneously, but some require intervention. Proximal duodenal obstructions typically need surgery, while jejunal or ileal blockages may be managed medically with aggressive fluids, intravenous lidocaine, and analgesia. When surgery is necessary, decompress, perform laparotomy, and choose enterotomy or resection with anastomosis based on damage extent. Appendicitis, appendiceal neoplasia, and chronic enteropathies requiring biopsy are also discussed.