Gastric dilatation is an acute and life-threatening condition in pet rabbits commonly caused by an intestinal obstruction with pellets of compressed hair. Surgery is normally considered to be the treatment of choice to alleviate the obstruction. However, for various reasons such as restrictions by the owner, a high anaesthetic risk due to the critical condition of the patient or concurrent diseases, surgical treatment may be impossible. In a three-year period, 145 cases of gastric dilatation were treated medically with a combination of metoclopramide, metamizole, balanced fluid electrolyte solution with glucose and syringe feeding. No gender or breed predisposition could be noted. Four animals were euthanased, three of them directly after diagnosis. Eleven animals died, eight of them on the day of presentation. The medical treatment was successful in 130 cases (89 per cent) with a mean treatment time of three days. The animals were released from hospital when eating and defecating normally. Although the use of medical treatment of gastric dilatation has to be thoroughly considered, especially regarding the severity of obstruction, the painfulness and the animal's welfare, the good survival rate observed with these animals makes it a good option for all cases where surgical treatment is contraindicated.

Bone composition and bone mineral density (BMD) of long bones of two raptor and one owl species were assessed. Right humerus and tibiotarsus of 40 common buzzards, 13 white-tailed sea eagles and 9 barn owls were analyzed. Statistical analysis was performed for influence of species, age, gender and nutritional status. The BMD ranged from 1.8 g/cm3 (common buzzards) to 2.0 g/cm3 (white-tailed sea eagles). Dry matter was 87.0% (buzzards) to 89.5% (sea eagles). Percentage of bone ash was lower in sea eagles than in buzzards and owls. Content of crude fat was lower than 2% of the dry matter in all bones. In humeri lower calcium values (220 g/kg fat free dry matter) were detected in sea eagles than in barn owls (246 g/kg), in tibiotarsi no species differences were observed. Phosphorus levels were lowest in sea eagles (humeri 104 g/kg fat free dry matter, tibiotarsi 102 g/kg) and highest in barn owls. Calcium-phosphorus ratio was about 2:1 in all species. Magnesium content was lower in sea eagles (humeri 2590 mg/kg fat free dry matter, tibiotarsi 2510 mg/kg) than in buzzards and owls. Bones of barn owls contained more copper (humeri 8.7 mg/kg fat free dry matter, tibiotarsi 12.7 mg/kg) than in the Accipitridae. Zinc content was highest in sea eagles (humeri 278 mg/kg fat free dry matter, tibiotarsi 273 mg/kg) and lowest in barn owls (humeri 185 mg/kg, tibiotarsi 199 mg/kg). The present study shows that bone characteristics can be considered as species specific in raptors.

Objectives To create awareness of single RHDV2 infections and cases of death despite immunisation with RHDV2‐specific vaccine. Materials and Methods Retrospective case series of four companion rabbits. Patient signalment, vaccination history, pathology and molecular examinations were obtained from the medical records. Results The animals died peracutely or with nonspecific symptoms like apathy and inappetence. Pathological examination indicated and molecular biological findings confirmed RHDV2 infection in four animals. Several partner animals died at the same time under the same circumstances. Clinical Significance This is the first report of fatalities in RHDV2‐vaccinated companion rabbits due to rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus 2 infection with documented case and vaccination history. Veterinarians should be aware of possible single fatal RHDV2 infections despite vaccination, should initiate the clarification of suspected cases and inform vaccine manufacturers and competent authorities.

Four cases of bacterial cystitis in female guinea pigs are described. The diagnosis was based on urinary examination, including bacterial cultures with sensitivity testing, and ultrasonographic examination. Different bacteria were isolated, with the most common being Escherichia coli, often having multiple antibiotic resistances. All animals were treated with antibiotics following sensitivity testing, analgesics and bladder flushing. Although the clinical and general condition of the animals improved, all guinea pigs had repeated acute relapses of the condition. In all cases, the urine contained coagulated blood. During later episodes, it also contained tissue debris. The ultrasonographic examination showed severe exfoliation of the bladder wall and was considered to be a type of necrotising cystitis. Two animals also developed suspected encrusting cystitis classified by a hyperechogenic covering on parts of the bladder wall. To the author's knowledge, this is the first report of these unique forms of cystitis in guinea pigs.

A two-year-old, male neutered French lop rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) was presented for urinary scalding and wetting. Radiographs showed a small gas-filled structure caudodorsal to the urinary bladder that was shown to be connected to the urethra just caudal to the bladder neck and cranial to the external urethral sphincter in urethrograms. The clinical findings and the surgical procedure to correct the condition are described. To the author's knowledge, this is the first report of a urethral diverticulum in a rabbit.