RE: Incontinence in a speyed rabbit

cathvet — Fri, 21 Aug 2020 18:33:33 GMT

Hi Marie,

Thanks so much for your detailed reply.

Both rabbits presented with urine scalding and leakage. They are using their litter tray as normal as well. I spoke to the owner 2 days later and there was still some leakage but she was now bathing them regularly and they were grooming well, which they had stopped doing.

The surgery did not involve the vagina and the uterus only was transected, I believe vicryl was used, 2 metric.

They did both have small seromas but no obvious hernia.

I thought it was very soon post surgery for any hormonal effects but was wondering as they were litter mates if they were perhaps more genetically susceptible. They equally could both have been exposed to E cuniculi.

Hopefully it will all settle down, I'll add in nsaids and if it persists do further investigations.

Thanks again, it's fantastic to have your expert advice.

Cath

RE: Incontinence in a speyed rabbit

Marie Kubiak — Thu, 20 Aug 2020 12:38:55 GMT

Are they definitely urinating indiscriminately without control? It isn't unusual to see disruption of litter training following a stressor in rabbits so could it be controlled urination outside of the litter tray following surgery and disruption to their normal routine?

Any discomfort from vulvitis, urethritis, cystitis or bladder 'sludge' resulting from altered fluid intake/stress/overgrooming/initial urine leakage immediately after surgery may have set up a self-perpetuating inflammatory process as the urine leakage then causes overgrooming of the perineum, localised inflammation, urinary retention due to discomfort and overflow/poorly controlled urination. Endocrine disruption with associated incontinence doesn't appear a phenomenon in rabbits and I would expect a longer interval before onset it this were a factor.

Was surgery routine? Was the vagina resected or was it purely the uterus that was removed? What suture materials were used internally? I would look at urinalysis to check for an inflammatory process (though this won't clearly differentiate between urinary/reproductive tract origin) and consider covering Abs as you have done plus anti-inflammatory therapy. If they seem comfortable and well otherwise give them a little longer to reestablish normal litter training to see if this normalises. If abnormal urination is a persisting problem then radiography to check for radiodense urinary sediment, E. cuniculi serology (both IgG and IGM) and assessing renal biochemistry will give you some baseline data to help gauge where the causative problem may lie.

Marie