Ball of fuid inside a pregnant rabbit

[jackg 7]

A pregnant rabbit I head shot last night had a clear ball of fluid inside it.

The liver wrapped round it, it was not the bladder. It was about 1.1/4" diameter and when I poked it with a sharp knife clear fluid came out and it deflated itself.

Bunny was in good condition otherwise, fetuses were about 1/2" long so not very big.

Its teats looked swollen as if other young had been feeding on them, not sure if this happens in reality.

No fleas I could see no other diseases such as mixy either.

 

I shot it with a .222 and then gutted it and removed what was left of its head, then hung it up overnight.

 

inside rabbit

Growth liver and kidney

The bottom pic show the growth and the liver with a kidney top left for size comparison.

 

Any ideas about it, what it is or similar experience?

[jimboblincs 0]

I've had quite a few with similar things between the skin and meat, look like a blister. Tape worm cysts was the prognossis. No idea if this is the same.

 

Cheers Jim

[cragman 2,799]

Yep, I'd agree with Jim. The area around the kidneys/liver is very susceptable to disease, probably cyst, parasite etc.

Edited June 12, 2011 by cragman

[liongeorge 7]

Tapeworm :sick:

[jackg 7]

Thanks for the help, I would be guessing otherwise, its now fox bait

[fitcher 0]

Yup, tapeworm cyst.

 

Used to find these infrequently, but over the last year or so they seem to be turning up far more.

 

Anybody have any suggestions why this is so? I'm finding them in rabbits on land that is grazed by stock and on land that hasn't been grazed for years. Could it be down to the rise in the fox population who are passing eggs in their faeces in greater numbers?

[The one 8,529]

Aye tapeworm cyst ,they seem to be turning up more often and getting bigger

[martin 332]

Here's one I made earlier......

 

 

Martin

[airbourne 128]

last year i found a tape worm in one was about a foot long, that went in the bin

[410phil 4]

hepatico-aqueous vessel ??? If it is around the liver it is more likely to be a lymphatic system problem especially if it is full of clear fluid.Although a cyst may be filled with air,fluid or soft semi solid material the tapeworm cyst would appear to be eggs that cause the swelling in the localised tissue and not caused by the accumulation of fluid.

All the best hope it helps

Phil :thumbs:

[Urban Fox Control London 8]

If you come across wildlife that looks diseased and you are not sure what it is; contact your local DEFRA Office (FERA - Food Environment Research Agency).

 

FERA monitor emerging diseases in wildlife throughout the UK.

 

They will usually send out a Collection Officer and take it away and for screening.

 

Bag it up and attach a luggage label on it stating date and location.

 

Better be safe than sorry

Edited June 13, 2011 by Urban Fox Control London