Lethal cysticercosis in a pet rabbit

A one-year-old neutered female crossbreed rabbit died unexpectedly after initially responding to symptomatic treatment over a three-month period for recurrent gut stasis, inappetence and lethargy. Postmortem examination revealed numerous fibrous tracks within the liver from which flattish ovoid para...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inVeterinary record case reports Vol. 6; no. 3; pp. e000634 - n/a
Main Authors Graham-Brown, John, Gilmore, Paul, Harcourt-Brown, Frances, Eastham, Heather, Williams, Diana
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published London British Veterinary Association 01.10.2018
Blackwell Publishing Ltd
Subjects
Abdomen
Antibiotics
Arthropods
Case reports
cysticercosis
Identification
Infections
Laboratory animals
Medicine
Morphology
Parasites
Rabbits
taenia pisiformis
Zoonoses
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Summary:A one-year-old neutered female crossbreed rabbit died unexpectedly after initially responding to symptomatic treatment over a three-month period for recurrent gut stasis, inappetence and lethargy. Postmortem examination revealed numerous fibrous tracks within the liver from which flattish ovoid parasites could be extruded. Parasites were also found in large numbers throughout the peritoneal cavity. Histopathology confirmed verminous hepatitis with numerous parasitic granulomas within the parenchyma of the liver containing intact and degenerate parasites. The severity of the parasitic burden and associated liver damage was the presumed cause of death. Intact parasites showed morphological features consistent with Taenia pisiformis at 6–15 days postinfection. Species identification was confirmed by PCR sequence analysis. The rabbit was fed on hay sourced from a local farm, commercially available nuggets and washed vegetables. It did not graze outside. Hay contaminated with dog or fox faeces was the presumed source of infection.
ISSN:2052-6121
2052-6121
DOI:10.1136/vetreccr-2018-000634