Prevalence of trichobezoars in Angora rabbits in sub-temperate Himalayan conditions.

Abstract

Trichobezoars (formations of hair balls that can not pass through the pyloric valve) are responsible of some of deaths observed in Angora rabbirs. A total of 160 trichobezoar deaths corresponding to 28.6% of total deaths were recorded during a reported period of five years. The highest mortality due to hair balls was recorded in 2001 (36.4 %) and was least in 1999 (9.4%). Of the four breeds, the highest trichobezoar death records were obtained in Russian Angoras and the lowest in German Angoras. Trichobezoars occur more frequently in winter months than other months. Besides trichobezoars, other causes of death recorded were pneumonia, suppurative pneumonia, peritonitis, rupture of stomach, gastroenteritis, cardiac failure and a small number of miscellaneous causes. In most of the cases, large, single trichobezoars were located in the stomach. The stomach contents of the trichobezoar deaths were mainly watery and scanty faeces and hard semisolid faeces. The ball obstructed the stomach occupying the opening of the pyloric valve. Pathomorphological lesions were noted in stomach, liver, lungs, heart and kidney.

Evaluation of the Hairballs in the Gastrointestinal Tract and Urinary Stones in Razi Institute Laboratory Rabbits

“…Causes trichophagia in rabbits include low fiber and essential amino acids, high carbohydrates, starches, and sugars in the diet, as well as the presence of any stressors, lack of mobility, decreased water intake, anorexia, and concurrent diseases, especially coccidiosis, enterotoxemia, and E. coli infections (Circella et al, 2021;Mondal et al, 2006;Quesenberry & Carpenter, 2011). Reducing fiber reduces the movement of ingested substances in the digestive tract.…”

“…Eaten hair in the stomach becomes hairballs or fur balls that, after a while, due to enlargement in the stomach, remain and cannot pass through the pyloric valve to enter the duodenum. This condition is also called trichobezoar (Figure 1) (Mondal et al, 2006;Quesenberry & Carpenter, 2011). Rabbits with trichobezoar develop anorexia, lethargy, movement inability, reduced mobility, abdominal pain, weight loss, abdominal distention, lack of self-cleaning, and stool pieces become smaller than usual (Fukumura et al 2012;Nowland et al, 2015).…”

Epizootics Associated in Ghoongroo Pig Mortality in an Organized Farm Under Hot and Humid Climatic Condition in West Bengal, India

“…Upto 9 weeks considered piglet, ten weeks to 25 weeks are weaner and above 25 weeks considered adult pigs. Mortality was also considered in 12 different months of the year, in different age, sex, and months with standard procedure [6,8].…”

Retrospective cohort study of gastrointestinal stasis in pet rabbits

“…Long‐haired breeds were especially studied because fur ingestion might be a predisposing factor of gastrointestinal stasis. Trichobezoars were determined to be a major cause of death in colonies of Angora rabbits (Mondal and others 2006). However, the small proportion of long‐haired rabbits in the total population (19/382 rabbits) precludes any conclusions on the influence of this parameter.…”