Radiographic signs of renal disease in rabbits

Abstract

The radiological features of 65 rabbits with suspected renal disease are reviewed. The radiological features included a generalised increase in bone opacity (osteosclerosis), renomegaly, nephroliths, ureteroliths and soft tissue mineralisation. One or more of these changes were present on radiographs of 57 of the 65 rabbits. Renal disease was suspected because of the clinical signs and the presence of kidney stones and/or high blood concentrations of urea and creatinine. Significant renal disease was confirmed in 14 cases that were examined postmortem. Blood urea and creatinine concentrations were measured in 47 cases but not all the rabbits had high levels of both. Blood calcium concentration was high in 33 of the 38 rabbits in which it was measured. Serum phosphate was high in 17 and low in five of 34 rabbits in which it was measured. Hyperphosphataemia was associated with generalised osteosclerosis and aortic calcification. Rabbits with osteosclerosis were thin, depressed and unwilling to move. Thirty-eight of 41 rabbits that were tested were seropositive for antibodies to Encephalitozoon cuniculi. Histological lesions suggestive of E cuniculi infection were found in all 13 cases that were examined postmortem, although the organisms were visible in only one case.

Relationship between seropositivity of Encephalitozoon cuniculi and renal biochemical markers in clinically healthy rabbits

“…In our study, serum creatinine (p<0.001) and BUN (p<0.01) levels were found to have a statistically significant relationship with the serological status of rabbits (Table 1). Our results are consistent with those of previous studies (1,3,10,33). On the other hand, numerous studies have reported that blood biochemistry parameters can be used to measure differences between animals.…”

“…In clinically healthy rabbits, the present study showed that the seropositivity rate for E. cuniculi infection was 49.5%, which is similar to rates (50-53%) of infection in previous studies (6,14,20), although it is higher than the rates of infection reported in some (4,13,17,26,28,(30)(31)(32). In contrast, in the current study, the seropositivity rate of the disease was lower than those previously reported (71-93%) in various countries (3,10,21,37). Serostatus was also investigated by sex, and no difference was found between sexes in terms of seropositivity (Fig 1).…”

“…Consequently, histopathological changes occur and it may result in kidney failure. Later, renal disease leads to clinical polydipsia and polyuria (10,16,17,33). In addition, postmortem findings such as histopathological signs and anatomic localization of the lesions are not proportionally correlated with antemortem symptoms (19,33).…”

Rabbit dental disease and calcium metabolism – the science behind divided opinions

“…In rabbits suffering from dental disease, the pathophysiological relationship among orthodontic, periodontal and endodontic lesions is unclear (Verstraete & Osofsky 2005) and appears to be much more complex than in other mammals. Most likely, multiple factors are involved in the development of a syndrome of acquired dental disease such as traumatic injuries of the orofacial area, less abrasive diet, reduced chewing movements, altered chewing actions, changes in the structure and adaptability of the chewing muscles, temporomandibular joint disorders, inappropriate dietary phosphorus, inappropriate dietary calcium, malabsorption and systemic disease (Poikela et al 2000, Harcourt-Brown 2002, Crossley & Aiken 2003, Fujisawa et al 2003, Langenbach et al 2003, Crossley 2005, Harcourt-Brown 2007a,b, Wolf & Kamphues 2009).…”

Azotämien bei Kaninchen und Nagern – ein Update

“…Nicht selten wird im Vorbericht von Kleintieren mit renaler Azotämie Polydipsie/Polyurie erwähnt [42]. Dies ist bei Kaninchen und Nagern seltener der Fall [16] [30]. Das spezifische Harngewicht von Tieren mit länger bestehender renaler Azotämie, die meist bei chronischen Nierenerkrankungen vorliegt, liegt oft im Bereich von 1007-1013 [40].…”