Primary hepatic haemangiosarcoma in a pet rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus)

Abstract

An 8-year-old, entire, female rabbit was presented in decompensated shock. Blood tests revealed a mild, highly regenerative anaemia (haemocrit: 24.6%; reticulocytes: 15.7%) and a significant elevation of alanine transaminase (183 IU/L). The radiographic examination showed widespread mineralisation of the entire abdominal cavity and a mass effect in the caudal abdomen, which displaced the intestinal loops cranially. Considering the animal's serious clinical condition, the owners requested euthanasia. The postmortem examination highlighted a diagnosis of primary hepatic haemangiosarcoma, cystic endometrial hyperplasia, hepatic lipidosis and kidney disease. This report describes the clinical signs, haematology, radiology and pathology findings of a case of haemangiosarcoma in a pet rabbit. Although not very common, this lesion should be included in the differential diagnosis of liver disease in pet rabbits.