| General Description |
Spinal abnormalities commonly seen in pet rabbits include:
- Vertebral spondylosis (B601.11.w11;
B606.13.w13)
- This is a common condition in older rabbits. (B602.20.w20,
J15.28.w1,
N12.38.w1)
- Pet rabbits with age-related diseases, such as spondylosis, are
now more commonly encountered as longevity increases with improved
diet and husbandry. (B601.11.w11,
J15.28.w1)
- Scoliosis (B600.12.w12,
B601.11.w11, J15.28.w1,
J245.24.w1)
- Kyphosis (B600.12.w12,
B601.11.w11,
J15.28.w1, J245.24.w1)
- Lordosis (B600.12.w12,
B601.11.w11,
J15.28.w1, J245.24.w1)
Other spinal abnormalities noted in rabbits include congenital
hemivertebrae. (B600.12.w12,
B601.11.w11,
J15.28.w1)
Clinical findings
Many mild spinal abnormalities may be noted only as incidental radiographic findings.
However, lesions can become painful resulting in the following
clinical signs:
- Anorexia due to the pain (this can then lead to intestinal ileus). (B601.11.w11)
- Locomotor problems - from mild gait abnormalities to severe lameness (B601.11.w11)
- Aggression towards humans (due to pain). B600.12.w12
- Hunched posture (B601.11.w11)
- Immobility. (B600.12.w12)
- Inability to hop.
(B602.20.w20)
- Inability to groom, leading to an unkempt coat.
(B600.12.w12, B602.20.w20)
- Perineal caecotroph accumulation due to inability to reach the
perineum. (B600.12.w12,
B601.11.w11)
- Urine Scalding due to
inability to adopt a proper posture to direct urine away from the body
during urination. (B600.12.w12,
B601.11.w11;
B606.13.w13)
- N.B. faecal and urine scalding may lead to fly strike (Myiasis).
(B600.12.w12)
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| Further Information |
Susceptibility
- Sex: females are more likely to have spinal abnormalities
such as scoliosis, kyphosis and lordosis because of the high calcium requirements of pregnancy and
lactation in addition to poor exercise and poor posture associated
with inadequate cage size. (B600.12.w12,
B601.11.w11, J245.24.w1)
- Poor husbandry:
- Lack of exercise. (B600.12.w12,
B601.11.w11,
J245.24.w1)
- Small hutches/cages leading to poor posture. (B600.12.w12,
B601.11.w11,
J245.24.w1)
Diagnosis
Treatment
- Long term analgesics and anti-inflammatory medications (J15.28.w1)
- Oral Meloxicam. (B601.11.w11)
- Rabbits with spondylosis were reported to show remarkable
clinical improvement when given carprofen 2.2 mg/kg orally every
12 - 24 hours. (B602.20.w20)
- For urine scalding: clip the hair around the perineum, bathe
daily and apply barrier cream. Antibiosis may be necessary in some
cases. (B601.11.w11;
B602.20.w20, J15.28.w1)
- For prevention of pressure sores: deep bedding material
should be provided. (B601.11.w11,
J15.28.w1)
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