Approaches to Rabbit Gastrointestinal Stasis Syndrome

Snake envenomation is a common reason for presentation of dogs and cats to Australian veterinary clinics, yet diagnosis and treatment continue to be challenging in some cases. Fortunately there has been an explosion of veterinary research in recent years, providing us with more evidence than ever to guide our patient management. 

Birds’ urogenital organs reflect their ‘flying dinosaur’ ancestry with reptilian features (such as egg laying and urecotelic waste disposal) being adapted to ‘lighten the load’ and facilitate flight. Understanding such unique features helps to make sense of urogenital disease in avian patients and aids diagnosis and treatment of everyday clinic issues such as egg binding, abnormal egg formation, egg yolk related peritonitis, cloacal disorders, urolithiasis and gout.

"Rabbits just die, don't they?" Is a common phrase heard in emergency clinics. The fact is sick rabbits can often be diagnosed and saved - and using many of the skills that emergency vets already possess!..