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"Frank" the Lionhead rabbit was presented at
the surgery by his owners because he had suddenly stopped
eating. A clinical examination by myself failed to reveal
anything too obvious so I asked my colleague Agnieszka for
a second opinion.
Rabbits are "prey" animals and are therefore
"wired" to avoid giving outward signs or symptoms
to any potential onlooking predators. Consequently, I have
always found them very difficult to gauge with regard to
the seriousness of their condition. Agnieszka on the other
hand was employed specifically for her expertise in this
area. With the rise of rabbit ownership it has always seemed
prudent to invest in others who have specialist skills in
this field.
Once Agnieszka had the opportunity of examining "Frank"
it soon became clear that she was alerted to the seriousness
of his predicament by his subdued demeanour and apparent
abdominal pain. She quickly had him admitted and radiographed
to identify his problem.
The x-ray showed that he had an enormous stone blocking
his urethra between his bladder and his penis. A condition
which I have never previously seen in the rabbit. Within
a very short time "Frank" was anaethetised, had
intravenous fluids and had his stone surgically removed
and was recovering in a special incubator.
How this stone managed to make it's way along his urethra
defies belief when you consider how small the normal diameter
of this pipe should be. Fortunately, for "Frank"
he appears to have completely recovered from his ordeal.
Agnieszka has suggested that next time I am concerned about
this type of problem in a rabbit I should look for the tears
in his eyes!!
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