Endosurgical treatment of a retrobulbar abscess in a rabbit.
METHODS
A 1-year-old sexually intact female Netherland dwarf rabbit was examined because of a 3-week history of signs of lethargy, decreased appetite, left unilateral exophthalmia, a previous draining sinus from a left maxillary facial abscess, and bilateral nasal discharge.


RESULTS
The rabbit weighed 1.0 kg (2.2 lb) and had a body condition score of 1.5/5. Physical examination revealed generalized muscle atrophy, bilateral mucopurulent nasal discharge, and severe left-sided exophthalmia. Diagnostic investigation revealed anemia, neutrophilia, severe dental disease, a superficial corneal ulcer of the left eye, and a retrobulbar abscess.


RESULTS
Stomatoscopy-aided dental trimming, tooth removal, and abscess debridement were performed. Antimicrobials were flushed into the tooth abscess cavity, and antimicrobial treatment was initiated on the basis of cytologic findings and results of bacterial culture and susceptibility testing. Two months after the initial surgery, minimal exophthalmia was evident and no further physical, radiographic, or ultrasonographic changes were evident.


CONCLUSIONS
Stomatoscopy is a valuable technique that can facilitate diagnosis, treatment, and serial reevaluation of rabbits with dental disease.
Martínez-Jiménez
David
D
Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA.
Hernández-Divers
Stephen J
SJ
Dietrich
Ursula M
UM
Williams
Clara O
CO
Blasier
Megan W
MW
Wilson
Heather
H
Frank
Paul M
PM
D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003646:Debridement / Q000662:veterinary; D005260:Female; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests / Q000662:veterinary; D010482:Periapical Abscess / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D011817:Rabbits; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents