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If the small intestine becomes occluded by a foreign body (often a pellet of compressed fur, yellow arrow), the stomach (white arrow) and small intestine that is proximal to the obstruction (turquoise arrow) become dilated and tympanitic and the intestine that is distal to the obstruction is collapsed and empty.

Occasionally rabbits may be infected with Yersinia pseudotuberculosis. During life, it causes vague clinical signs of anorexia and weight loss. At post-mortem examination , numerous white foci can be observed on the intestine, especially in the appendix ( white arrow) and sacculus rotundus (yellow arrow). Foci may also be seen in the spleen.

This picture shows the abdominal organs of a fat rabbit that died from gut stasis. He was presented for veterinary treatment because he was lethargic and anorexic. He died shortly after admission and the post-mortem examination was performed within an hour. A spur on an upper cheek tooth was discovered during post-mortem examination. It was digging into the cheek causing an ulcerated, necrotic area in the mucosa. This was the most likely cause of the anorexia and the triggering factor for gut stasis. The image shows several features of gut stasis. There is a pale fatty liver, some gastric ulceration, an empty caecum distended with gas and empty gas filled intestines. It takes at least 3 days for a rabbit to die from gut stasis. Death can be prevented by providing food and fluid (syringe feeding) and medication to stimulate gut motility. Treatment of the cause of gut stasis (in this case dentistry) is also necessary.

This rabbit did not have RHD. The picture shows the small size of an adult rabbit's spleen.

Blood or blood-stained fluid in the abdomen is one of the macroscopic signs of RHD although it is not diagnostic. Differential diagnoses include trauma, ruptured tumours, and end-stage hepatic lipidosis where the liver is so friable that it splits and bleeds. This case was confirmed as RHD.

Heart with myocardial fibrosis

This juvenile wild rabbit was found after a Common Buzzard was disturbed and flew into a tree that was close by. The body was warm and limp indicating that the rabbit had only just died. There were no visible marks or wounds on the body. After the skin was partially removed, four small tears were found that penetrated either the thorax or abdomen. One of these had caused substantial haemorrhage. These marks were consistent with wounds inflicted by talons. There was more severe damage internally.

This image show the size of a the spleen in a rabbit that died from confirmed RHD