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Scruffy the Dwarflop Rabbit
"Scruffy" is a six year old female dwarflop
rabbit, whose owner noticed had some blood in her urine. This
can be a normal finding due to diet but can also be a serious
finding.
We admitted Scruffy and did abdominal radiographs.This showed
a substance in the bladder, which the lab showed to be calcium
carbonate crystals. This can also be a normal finding due
to diet or caused by cystitis.
Scruffy's uterus was swollen on the x ray, it looked like
this was where the blood was coming from. She was started
on fluids, painkillers and antibiotics. The next day, we did
a laparotomy on Scruffy.
The uterus was very enlarged and fluid filled with infection
(pyometra). We proceeded to spay her. She made a quick recovery
and is now doing well. Luckily Scruffy's owner saw the signs
of illness quickly, this enabled us to make an early
diagnosis, and start treatment immediately, which led
to a full recovery.
Rabbits are becoming more popular as pets, and we are spaying
and neutering them routinely. Another reason for spaying is
that some studies suggest that 80% of female
rabbits over five years old, in some breeds, get uterine
cancer.
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