Introduction

• Cause: primary or secondary neoplasia affecting tissues of the respiratory system.
• Signs: variable depending on site: include nasal discharge, sneezing, epistaxis, dyspnea, anorexia and weight loss.
• Diagnosis: clinical examination, radiography, endoscopy, cytology or histology of abnormal tissues.
• Treatment: variable depending on neoplasia type: surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy.
• Prognosis: guarded to poor.

Presenting signs

• Dyspnea Dyspnea.
• Sneezing.
• Nasal discharge.
• Epistaxis Epistaxis.
• Anorexia Anorexia.
• Weight loss.
• Exophthalmos Eye: exophthalmos.
• Exercise intolerance.

Acute presentation

• Epistaxis Epistaxis.
• Dyspnea Dyspnea.
• Collapse.
• Acute respiratory distress.

Age predisposition

• Most neoplastic disease is more common in aged rabbits (greater than 3 years).
• Lymphoma/lymphosarcoma Lymphosarcoma: overview is most common neoplasia of juvenile rabbits.

Cost considerations

• May be significant if advanced imaging (CT Computed tomography or MRI Magnetic resonance imaging) required or if chemotherapy Chemotherapy: general principles/radiotherapy Radiotherapy indicated.

Special risks

• Significant reduction in lung function possible, therefore poses significant increased anesthetic risk.

Pathogenesis

Diagnosis

Treatment

Prevention

Outcomes

Further Reading

Publications

Refereed papers

• Recent references from PubMed and VetMedResource.
• Jekl V (2021) Respiratory disorders in rabbits. Vet Clin Exot Anim 24 (2), 459–482 PubMed.
• Miwa Y, Nakata M Takimoto H, Chambers J K & Uchida K (2021) Spontaneous oral tumours in 18 rabbits (2005-2015). J Small Anim Pract 62 (2), 156-160 PubMed.
• Bertram C A, Bertram B, Bartel A et al (2020) Neoplasia and tumour-like lesions in pet rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus): a retrospective analysis of cases between 1995 and 2019. Vet Pathol, PubMed.
• Bertram C A, Klopfleisch R & Muller K (2019) Tracheal and laryngeal tumours in two domestic rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus). J Exot Pet Med 29, 142-146 VetMedResource.
• Van Zeeland Y (2017) Rabbit oncology: diseases, diagnostics, and therapeutics. Vet Clin North Am Exot Anim Pract 20 (1), 135-182 PubMed.
• Summa N M & Brandão J (2017) Evidence-based advances in rabbit medicine. Vet Clin North Am Exot Anim Pract 20 (3), 749-771 PubMed.
• Dolera M, Malfassi L, Mazza G et al (2016) Feasibility for using Hypofractioned stereotactic volumetric modulated arc radiotherapy (VMAT) with adaptive planning for treatment of thymoma in rabbits: 15 cases. Vet Radiol Ultrasound 57 (3), 313-320 PubMed.
• Lennox A M & Reavill D (2014) Nasal mucosa adenocarcinoma in a pet rabbit. J Exot Pet Med 23 (4), 397-402 ResearchGate.
• Nakata M, Miwa Y, Tsuboi M et al (2014) Surgical and localized radiation therapy for an intranasal adenocarcinoma in a rabbit. J Vet Med Sci 76 (12), 1659-1662 PubMed.
• Künzel F, Hittmair K M, Hassan J et al (2012) Thymomas in rabbits: clinical evaluation, diagnosis and treatment. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc 48 (2), 97-104 PubMed.
• Andres K M, Kent M, Siedlecki C T et al (2012) The use of megavoltage radiation therapy in the treatment of thymomas in rabbits: 19 cases. Vet Comp Oncol 10 (2), 82-94 PubMed.
• Heatley J J & Smith A N (2007) Spontaneous neoplasms of lagomorphs. Vet Clin Exot Anim 7 (3), 561-577 PubMed.
• Graham J E, Kent M S, Théon A (2004) Current therapies in exotic animal oncology. Vet Clin Exot Anim 7 (3), 757-781 PubMed.
• Kent M S (2004) The use of chemotherapy in exotic animals. Vet Clin Exot Anim 7 (3), 807-820 PubMed.
• Mehler S J & Bennett R A (2004) Surgical oncology of exotic animals. Vet Clin Exot Anim 7 (3), 783-805 PubMed.

Other sources of information 

• Hedley J (2014) Respiratory Disease. In: BSAVA Manual of Rabbit Medicine. Eds: Meredith A & Lord B. BSAVA, UK. pp 160-167.