Ultrasound morphology of cecal appendix in pet rabbits

Nicoletti, Annalisa; Girolamo, Nicola Di; Zeyen, Ulrich; Selleri, Paolo; Masi, Marco; Fonti, Paolo

doi:10.1007/s40477-018-0316-3

Cited by 8 publications

(9 citation statements)

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“…These depictions obliterate the observation that the appendix crosses the abdominal cavity from the right to the left side, so that its tip can typically be detected via ultrasound in the left abdomen (Nicoletti et al, 2018). We provide an interpretative graphic depiction of the Note that in the two longer studies (with more diets) (b, c), some rabbits show a pattern of sand accumulation over the course of the study, or a particular propensity for sand accumulation, whereas others do not.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 92%

“…Arthur and Gates ( 1988 ) reported a soil intake of a magnitude of more than 6% of dry matter in free‐ranging black‐tailed jackrabbits ( Lepus californicus ), and Rödel ( 2005 ) described the presence of sand in the faeces of European rabbits. The lagomorph GIT anatomy is characterised by an elongated caecum that ends in a voluminous appendix (Snipes, 1979 ), which is situated on the left side of the abdomen (Nicoletti et al, 2018 ; Rees Davies & Rees Davies, 2003 ). The lagomorph GIT thus comprises a distinct dead‐end structure that might be particularly prone to the accumulation of soil.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Sand accumulation in the digestive tract of rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) and guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus): The role of the appendix

Winter

Clauss

Codron

et al. 2021

Journal of Morphology

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We determined location and amount of accumulated sand in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) and guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) fed diets containing external (silicate) abrasives. Computed tomographic abdominal images of rabbits (n = 44) and guinea pigs (n = 16) that each received varying numbers (4-7) of different diets for 14 days each (total n = 311 computed tomographs), and radiographs of dissected GIT and presence of silica in GIT content (n = 46 animals) were evaluated. In rabbits, the majority of accumulated sand was located in the caecal appendix, an elongated, intestinal structure in the left side of the abdomen. The 'wash-back' colonic separation mechanism in rabbits may be partly responsible for a retrograde transport of sand back to the caecum, where dense, small particles accumulate in the appendix. The appendix likely acted as a reservoir of these particles, leading to significant effects not only of the momentary but also of the previous diet on recorded sand volumes in the rabbits. Guinea pigs have no caecal appendix and a colonic separation mechanism not based on a 'wash-back'. Less sand accumulation was found in their GIT without a specific location pattern, and there were less previous diet effects in this species. None of the rabbits or guinea pigs developed clinical signs of obstruction during the study, and the recorded sand volumes represented 1.0 ± 1.2% of the 14-d sand intake in rabbits and 0.2 ± 0.2% in guinea pigs. Accumulation of sand in volumes up to 10 cm 3 in the GIT of rabbits does not seem to cause clinical health impairment. Large inter-individual differences in rabbits indicate interindividual variation in proneness to sand accumulation. The reason for the presence of a sand-trapping caecal appendix in animals that are, due to their burrowing lifestyle and feeding close to the ground, predestined for accidental sand ingestion, remains to be unveiled.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 92%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sand accumulation in the digestive tract of rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) and guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus): The role of the appendix

Winter

Clauss

Codron

et al. 2021

Journal of Morphology

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“…Nicolletti et al ( 5 ) described a negative correlation between age and appendix wall thickness, suggesting that lower values of thickness are associated with increasing age, caused by a physiological decrease in the immune function of the appendix in adult rabbits. In presented cases, appendix wall thicknesses were 4.2 and 3.7 mm, respectively.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…On ultrasound examination, the appendix can be visualised through the median and/or left paramedian views as a tubular structure with a rounded, closed end and a multilayered wall characteristic of the intestinal tract. The normal appendix wall thickness measured by ultrasound is 1.1–2.1 mm, and the normal appendix diameter is 3.9–8.8 mm ( 5 ). The wall shows an attenuated echogenicity, and the serosa is visible as a hyperechoic linear structure ( 5 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Case Report: Spontaneous Appendicitis With Suspected Involvement of Klebsiella variicola in Two Pet Rabbits

Jekl

Piskovska²,

Drnkova³

et al. 2021

Front. Vet. Sci.

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Although laboratory rabbits are commonly used as models of appendicitis in man, spontaneous appendicitis was only described ante-mortem in one pet rabbit with an acute abdomen. The aim of this article is to describe two spontaneous cases of appendicitis in pet rabbits, to describe therapeutic appendectomy, and to discuss the microbial flora of the inflamed appendix. A 5-month-old intact female and a 16-month-old, neutered male were presented to the veterinary clinic with restlessness, anorexia, and reduced faecal output. The main clinical findings were restlessness, severe discomfort on abdominal palpation, a mid-abdominal palpable tubulous mass and an elevated rectal temperature. Blood analyses showed lymphocytosis, monocytosis, and hyperglycaemia. Radiography was inconclusive. Abdominal ultrasound revealed a presence of a tubular structure with wall thicknesses of 4.2 and 3.7 mm in the two rabbits, respectively. The tubular structure had a rounded, closed end, and a multilayered wall, suggestive of appendicitis. Due to metabolic acidosis and poor prognosis, the first rabbit was euthanized. In the 16-month-old rabbit, appendectomy was performed. Recovery was uneventful, and 4 h after surgery, the rabbit started to become normally active. Postoperative care consisted of fluid therapy, multimodal analgesia, supportive care and prokinetics. Follow-up examinations at 10 days, 1 month, and at 11 months after the surgery did not show any abnormal clinical or laboratory findings. Histopathological examination of appendices from both rabbits showed gangrenous appendicitis. Aerobic cultivation showed the presence of pure culture of Klebsiella variicola sensitive to enrofloxacin, marbofloxacin, tetracycline, cefuroxime, trimethoprim sulphonamide, neomycin, and gentamicin. Restlessness associated with anorexia, abdominal pain, palpable abdominal mass, hyperglycaemia, lymphocytosis, and elevated rectal temperature may be indicative of inflammation within the gastrointestinal tract. Abdominal ultrasound is recommended in rabbits with showing these clinical signs because radiography can be inconclusive. Appendicitis is a life-threatening condition, which should be included into the list of differential diagnoses; for the rabbit, an acute abdomen and gastrointestinal stasis syndrome and must be treated immediately. K. variicola may be associated with appendicitis in rabbits as a causative agent or in association with appendix intraluminal dysmicrobia.

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Diagnosing and treating appendicitis in rabbits

Charrasse,

Huynh

2023

In Practice

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Background: Appendicitis in rabbits is rarely described but is part of the differential diagnosis of acute and chronic gastrointestinal disorders in rabbits, and should be suspected as a priority in cases of hyperthermia. Imaging such as ultrasound or CT scan are essential for the diagnosis and should be included systematically in the exploration of gastrointestinal stasis syndrome. Treatment of such cases can be medical and/or surgical. It is important that practitioners understand the pathology, know when to suspect it and that they are able to select appropriate diagnostics to guide therapeutic management of these cases. Aim of the article: This article reviews cases of appendicitis in rabbits described in the literature and provides clinicians with the most up‐to‐date information on this condition.

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Ultrasound morphology of cecal appendix in pet rabbits

Cited by 8 publications

References 10 publications

Sand accumulation in the digestive tract of rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) and guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus): The role of the appendix

Sand accumulation in the digestive tract of rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) and guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus): The role of the appendix

Case Report: Spontaneous Appendicitis With Suspected Involvement of Klebsiella variicola in Two Pet Rabbits

Diagnosing and treating appendicitis in rabbits

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