DIAGNOSIS AND SURGICAL TREATMENT OF A TRANSITIONAL CELL CARCINOMA IN THE BLADDER APEX OF A PET RABBIT ( ORYCTOLAGUS CUNICULUS )

Common Diagnoses from Surgical Biopsies and Investigation of Leporipoxvirus in Pet Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculi) in Taiwan

This study investigated common diagnoses from surgical biopsies of domestic rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculi) in Taiwan and examined the role of leporipoxvirus in tumor pathogenesis. Biopsy specimens from 70 rabbits collected between 2014 and 2023 were retrospectively analyzed, yielding 85 diagnoses. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed to detect leporipoxvirus in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues diagnosed with fibroma, fibrosarcoma, or myxosarcoma. The most commonly affected systems were the integumentary (n = 41) and reproductive (n = 36) systems. Common integumentary tumors included fibrosarcomas (n = 12), trichoblastomas (n = 8), mammary gland tumors (n = 5), and fibromas (n = 4). In the reproductive system, the most common lesions were uterine adenocarcinomas (n = 16), uterine endometrial cystic hyperplasia and hypertrophy (n = 5), and uterine adenomyosis (n = 4). The 15 cases of fibroma, fibrosarcoma, and myxosarcoma were tested for leporipoxvirus using PCR. No viral sequences were detected in these tumors. This study identified the common diagnoses from rabbit biopsy specimens and found no leporipoxvirus infection in samples of fibrosarcoma and fibroma. This is the first study on tumors in pet rabbit biopsies and the first in Taiwan to investigate leporipoxvirus infection, providing valuable insights for future diagnosis and management.

Not Just Uterine Adenocarcinoma-Neoplastic and Non-Neoplastic Masses in Domestic Pet Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus): A Review

With increasing numbers of pet rabbits living out their natural lifespan, rabbit oncology is stepping more and more into the limelight. On the other hand, rabbit tumors are less covered in recent editions of textbooks of veterinary pathology than before. We present 1238 cases with neoplastic and non-neoplastic masses in rabbit tissue, submitted from 2008 to 2019, supplemented by a review of the literature on neoplasms in rabbits. Cutaneous masses comprised 47% of submissions. Trichoblastoma was by far the most common skin neoplasm, and nodular suppurative panniculitis was the second most frequent skin nodule in this series. Epithelial as well as mesenchymal cutaneous neoplasms can be virally induced in rabbits (eg, Shope papilloma, myxomatosis) but were infrequent in the current cases. Mammary neoplasms comprised 21% of submitted masses and 94% of these had histologic features of malignancy. Tumors of the female reproductive tract were responsible for 9% of biopsies and were predominantly uterine adenocarcinoma. Polypoid proliferation of rectal mucosa was the most common lesion in the alimentary tract. A broad spectrum of other neoplasms was described, including sarcomas at vaccination sites and ocular posttraumatic sarcomas, comparable to lesions described in cats.

Diagnostic Imaging of the Renal System in Exotic Companion Mammals

Radiographs can be used to easily visualize common types of urinary calculi in all parts of the urinary tract. Positive-contrast excretory urography and cystourethrography are sensitive to diseases within the ureters and urethra, most commonly obstruction. Ultrasound is widely available and noninvasive and can be used to evaluate renal architecture, ureteral dilation, urinary bladder wall disease, and urolithiasis. Computed tomography is increasing in availability and provides a large amount of cross-sectional information quickly and noninvasively. Multiple imaging modalities can be used to estimate or quantify glomerular filtration rate.

Disease Overview of the Urinary Tract in Exotic Companion Mammals and Tips on Clinical Management

Diseases of the urinary tract are reviewed, covering infectious (bacterial, viral, parasitic), degenerative, congenital, metabolic, nutritional, neoplastic, obstructive, and toxic causes. Some clinical presentations and diagnostic procedures are described for ferrets, rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, mice, rats, chinchillas, hedgehogs, and sugar gliders, as well as therapies.