Evaluation of blood urea nitrogen concentration and anorexia as predictors of nonsurvival in client-owned rabbits evaluated at a veterinary referral center

Abstract

OBJECTIVE To determine the prognostic relevance of BUN concentration in client-owned rabbits evaluated at a veterinary referral center. ANIMALS 246 healthy or clinically ill client-owned rabbits with BUN concentrations measured at a veterinary referral center. PROCEDURES In a retrospective cohort study design, medical records of rabbits were retrieved, and data were collected on BUN concentration (exposure variable of interest) and other variables, including outcome (survival status at 15 days after BUN concentration measurement). Univariate, multivariate, and subgroup analyses were performed to identify variables associated with outcome. RESULTS BUN concentrations ranged from 6.5 to 251.1 mg/dL (median, 18.7 mg/dL). Univariate analysis revealed that the risk of nonsurvival over the 15-day period for rabbits with a high BUN concentration (≥ 23.3 mg/dL) was 33% higher (relative risk, 1.33; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.06 to 1.69) than that for rabbits with unremarkable BUN values. Subgroup analysis revealed that for rabbits with anorexia, a high (vs unremarkable) BUN concentration was associated with an increased risk of nonsurvival (relative risk, 1.69; 95% CI, 1.05 to 2.71). In the final multivariate model that controlled for age, sex, and appetite (anorexia vs no anorexia), the odds of nonsurvival for rabbits with BUN values > 24.74 mg/dL were 3 times that for rabbits with BUN values < 14.00 mg/dL (OR, 2.92; 95% CI, 1.29 to 6.58). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results indicated that a high BUN concentration increased the risk of nonsurvival over a 15-day period for client-owned rabbits, particularly those with anorexia. Blood urea nitrogen concentration should be used together with other clinical indicators to provide prognostic information for rabbits receiving veterinary care.

Retrospective analysis of liver lobe torsion in pet rabbits: 40 cases (2016–2021)

“…The study findings suggest that decreased PCV and BUN elevation may be considered as indicators of poor prognosis in rabbits with LLT. This correlates with a recent study on rabbit BUN concentration by Zoller et al 48 …”

“…46,47 The study findings suggest that decreased PCV and BUN elevation may be considered as indicators of poor prognosis in rabbits with LLT. This correlates with a recent study on rabbit BUN concentration by Zoller et al 48 Although abdominal ultrasonography is traditionally considered the diagnostic modality of choice for rabbit LLT, 12,15,17,25,49,50 the value of CECT imaging has been demonstrated. 14 CT and MRI are often used as adjuncts for the diagnosis of LLT in humans and dogs, 9,11,51,52 where ready identification of liver lobes as well as hepatic vasculature are thought to be advantageous for surgical planning.…”

Rectal temperature is a prognostic indicator in client‐owned guinea pigs

“…2014, Zoller et al . 2019). Future areas of study could also explore the cause(s) of hypothermia in ill guinea pigs as well as the relationship between patient health status, temperature, and mortality and may require development of a general anaesthesia model to create a state of hypothermia.…”

“…Future prospectively designed case-controlled studies should also evaluate blood biochemical parameters including glucose, blood urea nitrogen, and sodium in guinea pigs, which have been shown to act as prognostic indicators for survival in rabbits (Harcourt-Brown & Harcourt-Brown 2012, Bonvehi et al 2014, Zoller et al 2019. Future areas of study could also explore the cause(s) of hypothermia in ill guinea pigs as well as the relationship between patient health status, temperature, and mortality and may require development of a general anaesthesia model to create a state of hypothermia.…”