Key Points
- Radiography can be challenging in the rabbit.
- Utilize tabletop technique placing rabbits directly on the film cassette.
- Use fine or detail-intensifying screens or cassettes to maximize anatomic detail.
- Lateral films may be taken with only manual restraint in some rabbits, however sedation or general anesthesia may be needed for the best positioning.
- It is normal to see some gas present within the rabbit gastrointestinal tract.
- It is also normal for rabbits on a calcium-rich diet (i.e. alfalfa-based) to have calciuria or a significant amount of radiopaque sediment in their urine.
- Normal chest radiographs can be particularly challenging to evaluate in rabbits. The cranial lung lobes are small and are obscured by a wide mediastinum, and the caudal lung lobes contain pronounced vasculature.
Radiography can be challenging in the rabbit. This article reviews equipment needs, clinical techniques, as well as normal and common abnormal findings in the abdomen, chest, musculoskeletal system, as well as ears and nose . . .
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References
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FURTHER READING
Artiles CA, Sanchez-Migallon Guzman D, Beaufrère H, Phillips KL. Computed tomographic findings of dental disease in domestic rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus): 100 cases (2009-2017). J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2020;257(3):313-327. doi: 10.2460/javma.257.3.313. PMID: 32657651.
Buch D, Saldanha A, Muehlbauer E, et al. Computed tomographic findings of the urinary tract in rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus). J Exotic Pet Med. 2022;40:1-7.
de Matos R, Ruby J, Van Hatten RA, Thompson M. Computed tomographic features of clinical and subclinical middle ear disease in domestic rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus): 88 cases (2007-2014). J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2015;246(3):336-43. doi: 10.2460/javma.246.3.336. PMID: 25587734.
Dierig JA, Fehr M, Eckert Y, et al. Diatrizoate contrast agent study for luminal patency and visualization of the gastrointestinal tract in healthy rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) and its influence on selected blood parameters and fecal quality. J Exotic Pet Med. 2021;37:8-15.
Jekl V. Respiratory Disorders in Rabbits. Vet Clin North Am Exot Anim Pract. 2021;24(2):459-482. doi: 10.1016/j.cvex.2021.01.006. PMID: 33892895.
Müllhaupt D, Wenger S, Kircher P, Pfammatter N, Hatt JM, Ohlerth S. Computed tomography of the thorax in rabbits: a prospective study in ten clinically healthy New Zealand White rabbits. Acta Vet Scand. 2017;59(1):72. doi: 10.1186/s13028-017-0340-x. PMID: 29065887; PMCID: PMC5655941.
Regalado A, Legendre L. Full-mouth intraoral radiographic survey in rabbits. J Vet Dent. 2017;34(3):190-200. doi: 10.1177/0898756417723145. PMID: 28814181.
Richardson J, Longo M, Liuti T, Eatwell K. Computed tomographic grading of middle ear disease in domestic rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculi). Vet Rec. 2019;184(22):679. doi: 10.1136/vr.104980. PMID: 31147450.
Vilalta L, Altuzarra R, Espada Y, Dominguez E, Novellas R, Martorell J. Description and comparison of excretory urography performed during radiography and computed tomography for evaluation of the urinary system in healthy New Zealand White rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus). Am J Vet Res. 2017;78(4):472-481. doi: 10.2460/ajvr.78.4.472. PMID: 28345995.
Kelleher S. Common radiographic findings in the rabbit. June 10, 2010. LafeberVet Web site. Available at https://lafeber.com/vet/common-radiographic-findings-in-the-rabbit/