Case of the week 11.14.22
Publication Date: 2022-11-14
History
2 year old rabbit. Acutely not doing well.
3 images
Findings
Whole body - ventrodorsal and lateral radiographs are available for interpretation.
Abdominal serosal detail is mildly decreased.
The stomach is severely enlarged, resulting in caudal displacement of the cecum and gastrointestinal tract. The stomach contains a moderate to severe volume of gas and homogeneously soft tissue/fluid opaque material. On the left lateral radiograph, the pylorus appropriately fills with gas, but does not extend into the proximal duodenum.
There are multiple, round, well marginated gas foci throughout the peritoneal space which are suspected to be within intestinal segments. The colon is empty. The visible margins and kidneys are normal. The liver is obscured.
The thoracic structures are normal.
Diagnosis
- The appearance of the stomach is most concerning for a pyloric outflow obstruction or proximal duodenal obstruction. Severe gastric stasis cannot be entirely excluded but is considered less likely.
- The reduced abdominal serosal detail is likely secondary to visceral crowding, however, scant peritoneal effusion cannot be entirely excluded.
Discussion
The patient underwent surgery and the obstruction was confirmed.
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