Introduction

• Cause: localized collection of pus within the abdomen usually involving bacteria such as Staphylococcus or Pasteurella.
• Signs: gut stasis, abdominal swelling, discomfort, reduced appetite and fecal production.
• Diagnosis: palpation, imaging and/or exploratory laparotomy.
• Treatment: marsupialization with prolonged antibiotic therapy.
• Prognosis: guarded to poor.

Pathogenesis

Etiology

• Several bacteria can be involved in the development of these abscesses.
• Most common ones are Staphylococcus aureus Staphylococcus aureus and Pasteurella multocida Pasteurella multocida.
• Other bacteria such as Bacteroides, Pseudomonas Pseudomonads or Proteus Proteus spp can also be involved.

Predisposing factors

General

• Unknown, but believed to be poor general health and husbandry.

Specific

• Ingestion of sharp foreign bodies that can perforate the intestine and facilitate the formation of an abscess on the intestinal serosa .
• Hematogenous/lymphatic spread from other abscesses (particularly in the head).
• Abdominal surgery with compromised sterility.

Pathophysiology

• Bacterial contamination will initiate abscess formation. Abdominal abscesses are not restricted by bone such as dental abscesses, and therefore they can grow faster and larger than those abscesses seen on the head .
• Abscesses encapsulate and continue growing. Systemic antibiotics do not generally penetrate well into rabbit abscesses.
• Very rarely an abscess in a rabbit with resolve with no human intervention.

Timecourse

• Chronic (weeks to months).
• Abdominal abscesses can grow to a significant size without producing obvious clinical signs to the owner .

Diagnosis

Treatment

Prevention

Outcomes