Rabbit issue

RE: Rabbit issue

Lindsey Edwards — Mon, 09 Sep 2019 19:16:43 GMT

I would imagine given the link between increased temperature of internal testes and neoplastic change then removing them should be recommended - if she has had him from being young then it is practically impossible he was done before (a dilemma in some rehomed dogs!)

RE: Rabbit issue

janine redman — Sun, 08 Sep 2019 22:32:28 GMT

Very similar to cryptorchid dogs

RE: Rabbit issue

Claire Godfrey — Sun, 08 Sep 2019 20:49:14 GMT

Thanks all.

Discussion with owner and they have decided to find a neutered female to keep him company. They are aware of the risk of testicular tumours but do not want the risk of exlap.

Thanks for the link about castrating through the inguinal ring but not feeling particularly confident about just having a go bilaterally!

RE: Rabbit issue

Lucy Fleming — Sat, 07 Sep 2019 19:57:50 GMT

[quote user="Michael Woodhouse"]Exlap sounds fun[/quote] Given rabbits' tendency to form adhesions at the drop of a hat, worth avoiding if possible though

RE: Rabbit issue

Roland Bulkyn-Rackowe — Thu, 05 Sep 2019 15:43:56 GMT

I've castrated a cryptorchid rabbit abdominally some time ago. It was no more complicated than a spay, I think I traced the testicles from the vas dorsal to the bladder.

RE: Rabbit issue

Claire Godfrey — Thu, 05 Sep 2019 14:57:26 GMT

Thank you all,

Will feed back to the owner and see what they would like to do.

claire

RE: Rabbit issue

Georgia Owen — Thu, 05 Sep 2019 01:02:54 GMT

Having seen an inoperable intra-abdominal mass in a unilateral cryptorchid rabbit, I'd always advise castration and ex lap to remove the internal testicle(s). Never seen bilaterally cryptorchid one before.

Found this useful paper from Frances Harcourt Brown which includes a section on neutering cryptorchids...mentions a little trick which I didn't know before and may be helpful!

https://www.harcourt-brown.co.uk/media/bin/Members/philk/rabbit-cpd/for-rabbit-cpd-delegates/course-notes-for-rabbit-surgery-course/6-neutering-and-complications-of-surgery.pdf

RE: Rabbit issue

Gillian Mostyn — Wed, 04 Sep 2019 22:50:08 GMT

[quote user="Michael Woodhouse"]You must have very different bunny owners in your practice![/quote]

Yup. They see them as much loved pets, not vermin. (And many live as long as cats).

(I no longer have a practice, and now see bunny owners from many different socioeconomic backgrounds. I do think that clients are influenced by the attitude of the vet to their pet.)

[quote user="Michael Woodhouse"]Exlap sounds fun. [/quote]

Not to the rabbit!

[quote user="Michael Woodhouse"]Can't see what spending extra on lab fees will add, myself?[/quote]

Maybe it doesn't actually have any testes? I've seen it in a dog after an unsuccessful hunt for bilateral cryptorchid testes.

RE: Rabbit issue

Michael Woodhouse — Wed, 04 Sep 2019 22:26:01 GMT

[quote user="Gillian Mostyn"]If operating is desirable, then maybe a testosterone assay first?[/quote]

You must have very different bunny owners in your practice!

Exlap sounds fun. Can't see what spending extra on lab fees will add, myself?

RE: Rabbit issue

Gillian Mostyn — Wed, 04 Sep 2019 20:52:19 GMT

Sorry ... No idea.

But if you know they might be there, I guess a good palpation of the abdo fairly frequently should be pretty good at picking up abnormal masses in rabbits?

RE: Rabbit issue

Claire Godfrey — Wed, 04 Sep 2019 17:06:19 GMT

Thank you, he does seem lovely.

Are the retained testicles likely to develop into tumours if left??

RE: Rabbit issue

Gillian Mostyn — Wed, 04 Sep 2019 08:49:51 GMT

I'd say very likely to be cryptorchid but obviously there are other possible anomalies. I've seen a couple of unilateral cryptorchid cases, but no bilateral.

Regarding whether to operate ... If he's a friendly rabbit then I'd just put him with a neutered friend, either male or female. In my experience personality, good methods used for introductions and adequate environmental enrichment counts for more than gender when introducing rabbits.

If operating is desirable, then maybe a testosterone assay first?