Radiographic Anatomy of Dwarf Rabbit Abdomen with Normal Measurements

Nineteen sedated healthy pet dwarf rabbits were used to describe the radiographic abdominal anatomy along with some useful parameters of abdominal viscera. Moreover, kidney-to-fifth lumbar vertebral (L5) length ratio was calculated and compared to kidney-to-second lumbar vertebral (L2) length ratio in view of anatomical or pathological changes that could affect L2 in rabbits. The lateral and ventrodorsal views were divided into segments using landmarks. The location of kidneys, urinary bladder, liver, stomach, caecum and colon was described in relation to these segments. Kidney length/width, the length of the L2 and L5, liver length, colon diameter and ventral displacement of kidneys or colon from vertebral column were determined. Results showed a significant difference between kidney/L2 and kidney/L5 ratios for length and width (P<0.001 for all). Body weight was highly correlated with kidney length, liver length, L2 and L5 body length (P=0.009, P=0.015, P<0.001 and P< 0.001, respectively). L2 and L5 were relatively similar in length and there were no significant differences between them (P>0.05).