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735910 
Journal Article 
Diagnostic and therapy of gastric bezoars in the rabbit: Retrospective evaluation of 39 patients 
Schnabl, E; Bohmer, E; Matis, U 
2009 
1 
Tierärztliche Praxis. Ausgabe K: Kleintiere/Heimtiere
ISSN: 1434-1239
EISSN: 2567-5842 
37 
2 
107-113 
German 
WOS:000265823000007 
Objective: The purpose of the present study was to evaluate conservative and surgical treatment of gastric bezoars in rabbits and to provide a guideline for decision making. Materials and methods: In this retrospective study, the clinical records of 39 rabbits that had been treated for a gastric bezoar in the last 9.5 years were evaluated. The history, clinical findings and results of laboratory tests (n = 12), sonographic examination (n = 7) and radiographic examination using lateral and ventrodorsal views (n = 39) were evaluated. Negative contrast (air) was used for radiographic enhancement in one rabbit and positive contrast (barium sulphate) in 34. Follow-up examinations were conducted after either conservative (n = 10) or surgical treatment(n = 29). Of eighteen rabbits that died, 12 were necropsied. Results: Anorexia and apathy were the predominant clinical signs. Contrast-enhanced radiography was needed to confirm the diagnosis in 35 rabbits. Sonography was useful in diagnosing the bezoar in only two of seven rabbits. Three of the 10 rabbits conservatively treated were considered cured and discharged after a mean of 6 days of hospitalization, and the other seven died. Fifteen of the 29 surgically treated rabbits were re-examined an average of 2 months after discharge. The owners of six rabbits were contacted by telephone after a mean of 3 years. Eleven rabbits treated surgically died during hospitalization, bacterial translocation and hepatolipidosis being the major problem. Conclusion and clinical relevance: Radiography, particularly contrast-enhanced radiography, is required to confirm a tentative diagnosis of a gastric bezoar. Rabbits treated conservatively should be radiographed again 72 hours after the start of therapy to determine whether the bezoar has disintegrated. If conservative treatment fails, surgical removal of the bezoar is necessary. 
Rabbit