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Congestion is often present in the organs of rabbits that have died from RHD and can mask other characteristic changes. The liver of this rabbit that died from RHD is congested. Close inspection shows a mottled appearance.

The liver is always affected in rabbits with RHD. Microscopically hepatocellular necrosis is present in all cases. Macroscopically, there may be minimal changes or hepatomegaly with a pale mottled appearance as in this rabbit that died from RHDV2 confirmed by PCR testing.

An enlarged spleen may be seen in cases of RHD. There are few other causes of splenomegaly in this species. Histologically the changes can range from moderate congestion to haemorrhage, deposition of fibrin, lymphocytolysis and necrosis of lymphoid tissue.

The spleen must be found during a post-mortem examination. Lifting the stomach and reflecting it dorsolaterally the spleen can be found, attached to the stomach by the lesser omentum. In this case it is at least double the size it should be. This is a sign of RHD.

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

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.

Heart with myocardial fibrosis

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 image shows the oral cavity of a rabbit that was presented salivating and dyspnoeic. There was a loud respiratory noise. He had a history of dental disease and most of the crowns in his teeth were missing. The symptoms suggested a laryngeal foreign body so the rabbit was anaesthetised and a piece of hay that was lodged in his larynx was removed. There was significant sublingual oedema that subsided. The rabbit recovered from this incident but only because the owner presented the rabbit promptly.

Occasionally a spur on the tooth can perforate a major blood vessels in the mouth and cause fatal haemorrhage. In this case the buccal artery had been perforated by a sharp spur on the tooth that had torn the mucosa (arrow). A large blood clot was occluding the pharynx.