Introduction

• Amyloidosis has been experimentally induced in rabbits, but it has not been reported in the literature as a clinical entity.
• Cause: abnormal proteinaceous deposits that accumulate within tissues such as the liver, spleen, gastrointestinal tract and kidneys.
• Signs: may be localized or systemic; signs depend on tissues affected. Can affect liver but would most commonly cause glomerulonephropathy in the rabbit so concurrent clinical signs need to be observed.
• Diagnosis: hematology, biochemistry, urinalysis, ultrasonography, renal/liver biopsy, histopathology.
• Treatment: limited options: colchicine and dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) have been tried.
• Prognosis: usually progressive.

Presenting signs

• Concurrent signs need to be observed as most commonly affects kidneys - marked proteinuria and progressive renal disease.
• Renal failure.
• Thrombosis.
• Liver failure.
• Rarely associated with multiple myeloma or plasmacytoma.

Pathogenesis

Diagnosis

Treatment

Prevention

Sequelae

Further Reading

Publications

Refereed papers

• Recent references from PubMed and VetMedResource.
• Romano J (2013) Therapeutic review: colchicine. J Exotic Pet Med 22 (4), 405-408 VetMedResource.
• Pressler B M & Vaden S L (2003) Managing renal amyloidosis in dogs and cats. Vet Med 98 (4), 320-332 VetMedResource.
• Hinton M & Lucke V M (1982) Ultrastructure of the kidney in amyloidosis of rabbits. J Comp Pathol 92 (2), 295-300 PubMed.
• Cohen A S, Calkins E & Levene C I (1959) Studies on experimental amyloidosis. I. Analysis of histology and staining reactions of case-induced amyloidosis in the rabbit. J Comp Pathol 35 (5), 971-989 PubMed.

Other sources of information

• Mancinelli E & Lord B (2014) Urogenital System and Reproductive Disease. In: BSAVA Manual of Rabbit Medicine. Eds: Meredith A & Lord B. BSAVA, Gloucester. pp 191-204.
• Pignon C (2011) Amyloidosis. In: Blackwells Five Minute Veterinary Consult Rodents. Wiley-Blackwell, Chichester. pp 548-549.
• Plumb D C (2011) Colchicine. In: Plumbs Veterinary Drug Handbook. 7th edn. Stockholm, WI, PharmaVet. pp 335-337.