Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Heart valve leak and heart failure in an elderly Dutch rabbit
By N. Derakhshandeh et al.·Published in Case Reports in Veterinary Medicine·2025·View original on Semantic Scholar →
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Original publication title: Valvular Regurgitation and Congestive Heart Failure in an Elderly Dutch Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus)
- Species:
- rabbit
Plain-English summary
A 7-year-old male Dutch rabbit was brought in for breathing problems and a fast heartbeat. The vet found that he had congestive heart failure due to issues with his heart valves. Despite treatment with medications to help reduce fluid buildup and improve heart function, the rabbit only showed temporary improvement and sadly passed away after two weeks. This case highlights the importance of recognizing heart problems in older rabbits early on to potentially improve their quality of life.
People also search for: rabbit heart failure symptoms · Dutch rabbit breathing problems · congestive heart failure treatment in rabbits
Abstract
Advances in veterinary diagnostics and treatment have increased awareness of cardiovascular diseases in pet rabbits, with age‐related conditions such as valvular disorders becoming more common as these animals live longer. This report describes a seven‐year‐old male Dutch rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) diagnosed with congestive heart failure caused by both mitral and tricuspid regurgitation. Clinical signs included coarse lung crackles, mild tachycardia, and muffled heart sounds. Blood analysis showed moderate leukocytosis with neutrophilia and monocytosis. Echocardiography revealed enlargement of the left atrium, significant valvular regurgitation, and small fluid accumulations in the pleural and pericardial cavities. Treatment with furosemide and enalapril provided brief improvement over 2 weeks before the rabbit′s death. The case highlights valvular regurgitation as a frequent cause of heart failure in aging rabbits and emphasizes the value of early detection and timely therapy in improving outcomes and extending quality of life in affected animals.
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Search related cases →Original publication on Semantic Scholar: https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/41477563