***Warning Graphic Photos - Necropsy

[Mags]

This morning, I found one of my light weight Sr. NZ bucks lying cold with his back up against a wall of his cage. I am estimating he's somewere around 3 yrs old. Was fine yesterday, but found him around 10am still somewhat warm in 35F temps. No unusual discharge, urine was clean, healthy eyes, ears, and nose. Pic shows position I found him in.

Proceed on with necropsy, most organs looked good; no signs of parasites or disease. Found gallbladder to be very large and dark. Liver looked good otherwise. There was a little mucus in his stomach; stomach appeared very pale. Found large formed fecal pellets going down to his anus. Guessing GI distress. Would like imput though... what do you all think? Hope my pics are clear enough. Thanks, Mags.

 

[Mags]

Might need to click on photos to clear up

 

[TKT]

I'm still new, all I can see is that yes his gallbladder was HUGE. If you don't get answers here try joining the Facebook page Rabbits Inside Out.

He also looks thin so might have been something going on that you can't see here. I'm sorry for your loss, he looks like he was a gorgeous rabbit.

 

[eco2pia]

Agreed, that is a giant gallbladder. Gallstones? Is that a thing in rabbits?

It looks like bile has leaked from the gallbladder and stained the stomach, that could have been post-mortem, but the gallbladder alone makes me think he had a blockage, which could have induced a cascade of failure. His gut seems full after his stomach, and his bladder is full, so he had kidney function, and any acute distress was likely recent and relatively sudden. The intestinal contents look poorly digested, as though the stomach was not functioning correctly. That also might be related to the gallbladder.

Barring any obvious environmental toxins or really creative feeding regimes, I would chalk this up to one of those things. It does not look like an obvious contagious thing, like a parasite. Most rabbits are relatively healthy if bred well, but like us they can have weaknesses. I am sorry for your loss.

 

[ladysown]

agree with the above.

 

[TKT]

Yes they can have gallstones. I saw images on Rabbits Inside Out of a gallbladder packed with them. It looked like sand because they were so tiny.

 

[tambayo]

I have had only one bunny with a full, stretched bladder like that. He had broken his back the day before. Bladder that big tells me not able to pee, so problem somewhere in the hind end? Neurological or spine damage?