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310 SECTION II III The Mammals

A B
Figure 26-24 • A rabbit in the supported, upright position: side-rear (A) and side-front (B) for abdominal ultrasound.

Generally, it is impossible to discriminate between mass into the central and caudal parts of the abdo-
hair and food radiographically (Figure 26-26). To make men so much that it becomes nearly impossible to see

matters worse, it is rare that the stomach contains whether there is any peritoneal fluid—a most impor-
hair or food alone. The more usual scenario is that tant distinction when it comes to a suspected gastroin-

the stomach is filled with an admixture of food, fl uid, testinal perforation (Figure 26-27).
and air, with or without hairballs.
Bladder Stones
Gastric Dilation

Radiographically identified bladder stones may
Gastric dilation, usually with a combination of food, assume a great variety of sizes, from small crystalline

fluid, and air, is a regular radiographic fi nding in flocculations measuring only 1 or 2 mm to immense

sick rabbits. Although such an appearance is likely to concretions that literally fill the bladder lumen. Most,

provoke thoughts of mechanical obstruction, this is however, are medium-sized stones (Figures 26-28 and
normally not the explanation. Instead, it appears that 26-29). Occasionally, the volume and concentration of
in most instances, an overly distended stomach is the crystals become so great that the bladder resembles
result of transient atony, not unlike that which often a positive-contrast cystogram (Figures 26-30 and
affl icts humans with various forms of stomach upset. 26-31).
Another consequence of a massively fl uid distended
stomach in a rabbit is that it compresses the bowel

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