Clinicopathological and radiographic indicators for orogastric decompression in rabbits presenting with intestinal obstruction at a referral hospital (2015-2018).

Background: Orogastric decompression is regularly recommended as a part of both medical and pre-surgical treatment for small intestinal obstruction in rabbits. However, guidelines as to when orogastric decompression is indicated are sparse.

Methods: The medical records of 35 rabbits diagnosed with gastrointestinal obstruction over a 3-year period were examined. Differences in presentation, clinicopathological and radiographic examination findings, treatments and outcome were evaluated.

Results: Approximately 49% of the cases evaluated were considered to have non-life-threatening disease, while 51% were considered to have life-threatening disease. The severity of gastric obstruction was correlated with the severity of hyperglycaemia (average 25.7 mmol/L; 463 mg/dl) and corresponding hyponatraemia (Na < 138 mmol/L; 138 mEq/L). These patients were treated with orogastric decompression and medical management only.

Limitations: This is a retrospective study and there are inherent limitations involving the quality of the data and data collection. Additional studies should be completed that strive for larger sample sizes to compare the differences in outcome between surgical and medical management, as well as investigate the outcomes of rabbits with hyperglycaemia and hyponatraemia that did not have an orogastric decompression performed.

Conclusions: Blood glucose and sodium concentrations, in combination with radiographic findings, may aid clinicians in determining if orogastric decompression is indicated to stabilise rabbits with small intestinal obstructive disorders.