Rare Bladder Hernia in Rabbits? New Case Series Reveals Emerging Diagnosis

Diagnosis and treatment of inguinal midline abdominal wall herniation of the urinary bladder in three domestic rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus)

Kaitlyn Crocker, Stephanie Kline, Dario d’Ovidio, Nicola Di Girolamo, Julianne E. McCready, João Brandão*

Background

While inguinal herniation of the urinary bladder has been previously documented in rabbits, midline abdominal wall herniation involving the bladder had not been reported until this study. This condition is well recognized in other species and can be caused by congenital defects, trauma, or increased intraabdominal pressure. This study presents the first known cases of inguinal midline abdominal wall herniation of the urinary bladder in rabbits, offering insight into clinical presentation, diagnosis, and surgical management.

Methods

This case series describes three adult, intact male rabbits presented to separate institutions with ventral abdominal swellings. Diagnostics included physical examination, imaging (CT, ultrasonography, and contrast radiography), hematology, and biochemistry. Surgical repair (herniorrhaphy) was performed in all cases, with some including castration and closure of inguinal rings. The anatomical and surgical features were documented, and short-term follow-up was conducted.

Results

In all three cases, the herniation involved the urinary bladder; one case also included a loop of small intestine. Presenting signs ranged from no clinical signs to lethargy, urinary incontinence, and azotemia. Imaging confirmed displacement of the bladder outside the abdominal wall. Surgical exploration revealed defects in the midline abdominal musculature, requiring tailored surgical approaches compared to conventional inguinal hernia repairs. Postoperative outcomes were favorable with no hernia recurrence; however, one rabbit (Case 3) experienced progression of pre-existing renal disease and died six months postoperatively.

Limitations

This study is limited by its small sample size (n=3) and retrospective nature. Follow-up duration varied, and long-term outcomes were not assessed in two cases. Additionally, causative factors such as metabolic disease or prior subclinical trauma could not be definitively ruled out, particularly due to incomplete biochemical data in one case.

Conclusions

This case series identifies and describes a novel hernia presentation in rabbits—inguinal midline body wall herniation of the urinary bladder. Clinical signs may be absent or related to urinary dysfunction. Diagnosis relies heavily on imaging modalities such as ultrasonography, CT, or contrast studies. Surgical correction is effective and should be considered promptly to prevent complications such as organ entrapment or necrosis. Clinicians should include this condition in differential diagnoses for ventral abdominal swellings in rabbits, particularly in older, intact males.

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