Abstract This case series describes three presentations and diagnoses of appendicitis in rabbits successfully treated surgically. A 4‐year‐old male rabbit was presented for elective neutering. An abdominal mass was palpated on physical examination. A 2‐year‐old, neutered, male rabbit was presented for acute anorexia, and a tubular abdominal mass was identified on palpation. A 2‐year‐old male rabbit was presented for soft faeces, with an abdominal mobile mass on palpation. Abdominal ultrasound revealed a heterogeneous mid‐abdominal mass presumably of digestive origin (Cases 1 and 3) and dilation of the appendix (Case 2). Abscess originating from the appendix (Cases 1 and 3) and a trichobezoar obstructing the proximal part of the appendix (Case 2) were identified on laparotomy and treated surgically. Bacterial culture and sensitivity revealed a strain of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis and two strains of Streptococcus pseudintermedius (Case 1) and Actinobacillus capsulatus (Case 3). Histopathological examination identified heterophilic appendicitis with lymphoid hyperplasia (Case 3).
Castellier et al. (Fri,) studied this question.