Introduction

• Cause: electrocution from chewing live wires within the home environment. Electrocution by low voltage alternating current (AC) seen when animals bite into electrical cables.
• Signs: if survives the initial electrocution, anorexia from oral burns and lesions around the oral cavity. Respiratory compromise as a result of non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema, lethargy due to anorexia.
• Diagnosis: lesions within the oral cavity.
• Treatment: supportive care, analgesia, cleaning of the oral cavity, surgical debridement in severe cases.
• Prognosis: depends on severity of the exposure.

Pathogenesis

Etiology

• Severe tissue damage from biting through live electric cables.

Predisposing factors

Specific

• Wires within the household environment.

Pathophysiology

• Electrocution causes disruption of tissues and may cause muscle spasms, ventricular fibrillation and vasomotor changes in the central nervous system.
• Acute pulmonary edema may develop.
• Electrical energy transformed to heat causing tissue proteins coagulation.
• Burns and soft tissue damage within the oral cavity.
• First-degree burn causes red, slightly swollen and painful skin.
• Second-degree burn there is damage to deeper tissues and blistering is seen.
• Third-degree burns involve full thickness of the skin and part of the subcutaneous tissue resulting in the formation of escharotic crusts.

Timecourse

• A first-degree burn usually heals within 2-5 days.
• A second-degree burn (non-infected) is very painful and may heal in approximately 3+ weeks.

Epidemiology

• Any rabbit has the tendency to chew wires.

Diagnosis

Treatment

Prevention

Outcomes