The concentrations of protein and creatinine were measured in urine samples from 74 healthy domestic pet rabbits, 54 of them seronegative to Encephalitozoon cuniculi and 20 seropositive. The calculated reference range for the urinary protein:creatinine ratio (UPC) of E cuniculi-seronegative rabbits was 0.11 to 0.40. There was no significant variation in the UPC due to the bodyweight, breed, sex, neutered status or husbandry of the rabbits. Seroconversion to E cuniculi was not found to be associated with clinical renal disease because none of the seropositive rabbits had azotaemia or proteinuria.

ANECDOTAL reports from veterinary surgeons suggest that cardiovascular disease is increasingly being diagnosed in rabbits. With the rise in popularity of this species as a pet, and often a house pet, owners are noticing subtle signs of disease and are presenting their animals for investigation at an earlier stage. This article describes how a systematic approach to the investigation can lead to improved management and, hence, a better outlook for these patients.

No abstract

No abstract