Rabbit Teeth Conditions
Rabbit teeth grow continuously throughout their lives. Normal chewing action wears them down just to the point that they don't overgrow. This is one of the reasons it is important to feed your rabbit a high fiber diet. A rabbit that has a malocclusion does not have this normal wearing action and can suffer overgrown teeth. This problem can be serious enough to inhibit the ability to eat. This page goes over rabbit teeth conditions. To learn more about rabbits in general, visit the House Rabbit Society website. Incisor Teeth These teeth grow continuously, so unless there is something for them
How to Read a Radiograph X-ray
Introduction This is a fun and educational page for pet owners, veterinary students, technicians, and even other veterinarians. It is designed to educate you on the basics of radiology. There is a fun test at the end to see how much you learned. Hopefully you will get them all right! Can you tell what animal this is from this radiograph? Hint: it is a reptile An important diagnostic modality we use to make an accurate diagnosis on a sick animal is radiography, more commonly known as x-rays. Just like the many other Diagnostic tests we perform, radiograph x-rays are important in
GI Stasis (hairballs) in Rabbits
This disease is sometimes called Rabbit Gastrointestinal (GI) Syndrome, abbreviated as RGIS. Like many diseases, its cause is multifactorial, and includes anorexia (not eating), gastric ulcers, and intestinal hypomobility (intestines do not move food along in normal peristalsis). Gastrointestinal stasis is a common cause of digestive disease in rabbits (lagomorphs). In most cases at our hospital the cause is a diet that is too low in fiber. You will sometimes read the term "ileus" when talking about this disease. Ileus occurs when the normal intestinal movement of food through the intestines, called peristalsis, stops. Normal digestion is dependent on normal peristalsis
Urinary Stones and Sludge (hypercalciuria)
Introduction Rabbits are prone to problems of the urinary tract, including Urinary Stones and Sludge (hypercalciuria). These problems range from irritating sludge in the bladder, to kidney problems, to the formation of a bladder stone that needs surgical removal. Sludge is urine thickened by calcium salts to the point of being chalky and thick in consistency, sometimes as thick as toothpaste. This causes problems in the urinary bladder usually, although it can occur in the kidneys or ureters. There are many factors why a rabbit might get this problem, so it is important to address all of them. Rabbits make wonderful
Fluid Therapy in Cats & Dogs
Fluid therapy might just be the most important medical therapy we perform on sick animals. Dehydrated pets feel ill, cannot fight disease, do not eat well, and cannot metabolize drugs efficiently. Dehydration decreases the circulation to two very important organs, the liver and the kidney. These organs are then unable to perform vital functions, some of which include detoxifying drugs and removing waste products. We utilize the guidelines of the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) and the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) when giving fluids to sick animals. Fluids are crucial to anesthesia. This pet, about to have a C-section, is
