Differential Diagnosis for Ileus in
Rabbits
(also termed bowel obstruction, stasis)
|
Type |
Causes |
|
Serum
electrolyte abnormalities: |
Hypokalemia |
|
Hyponatremia |
|
|
Hypomagnesemia |
|
|
Hypermaganesemia |
|
Bacterial causes: |
Bacterial disbiosis of “friendly” bacteria in the
intestine |
|
Sepsis |
|
|
Necrotizing enterocolitis |
|
|
Pneumonia |
|
|
Nephrolithiasis, Cholecystitis,
Pancreatitis, Perforated Duodenal Ulcer |
|
Fungal causes: |
Actinomycosis |
|
Parasitic causes: |
Presence of parasitic intestinal worms, e.g., pinworms.
During the phase of overgrowth, the amount of worms can cause painful
ileus-like symptoms. This cycle repeats every 4 to 6 weeks. |
|
Hormonal causes: |
Hypothyroidism |
|
Mechanical
causes: |
Bezoar, or
bowel obstruction |
|
Dental
problems, presence of spurs, molar overgrowth |
|
|
Pyloric
stenosis |
|
|
Intestinal
stenosis |
|
|
Presence of
gallstones in the intestinal lumen |
|
|
Presence of
parasitic worms |
|
|
Malrotation |
|
|
Post-surgical
adhesions |
|
|
Volvulus, a surgical emergency. It can cause ischemia of the
intestine, leading to shock and death. |
|
|
Incarcerated
hernia (higher risk of strangulation) |
|
|
Anorectal
abnormalities |
|
Neoplasm: |
Gastric, colon, pancreatic or ovarian cancer |
|
Colonic polyps |
|
Skeletal causes: |
Trauma |
|
Rib fracture |
|
|
Vertebral
fracture (most frequent in rabbit: lumbar fracture) |
|
Nervous causes: |
Aganglionosis |
|
Stress |
|
|
Pain |
|
Medication causes: |
Barium |
|
Narcotics |
|
|
Phenothiazines |
|
|
Diltiazem or
Verapamil |
|
|
Anticholinergic Medications |
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