Rectal prolapse in two rabbits with rectal neoplasia

Rectal prolapse is rarely reported in rabbits and it has been historically described in association with infectious conditions of the gastrointestinal tract. Two adult pet rabbits (Otyctolagus cuniculus) were independently presented for rectal prolapse. The rabbits appeared healthy, with no medical history of consequence, and were still able to feed and defecate. Clinical examination revealed a firm and apparently non-painful rectal mass in both rabbits. Abdominal ultrasound and whole-body radiographs revealed no abnormality. Complete blood count and serum chemistry panels were within the normal range. Surgery was performed in both cases which involved resection of the mass for the first rabbit, and mass excision with partial rectal resection for the second. Postoperatively, the rabbits defecated normally and showed no complications. The histopathological conclusions were an inflammatory rectal polyp for the first rabbit and a rectal leiomyosarcoma for the second. Two and three years after initial presentation, both rabbits are alive, in good health with no signs of tumor recurrence. Neoplasia of the digestive tract should be considered as a differential for rabbits presenting with rectal prolapse.