Occasionally, rabbits may develop esophageal obstruction after eating certain foods, when food becomes stuck in the esophagus. If the obstruction is complete, the syndrome manifests itself as a sudden inability to swallow, loud sounds in the throat, and regurgitation of saliva, which may contain food particles.

This 4-year-old neutered female rabbit suddenly stopped eating and began to make choking sounds when eating pellet food. Green fluid came from her nose and mouth. She developed difficulty breathing. Anesthesia was induced using intravenous propofol and maintained by a continuous infusion while a tube was inserted into her esophagus and directed to her stomach. Some resistance was felt, and the breathing and the regurgitation of fluid stopped. A subsequent endoscopy of the esophagus revealed no obstruction or abnormalities other than green fluid. The rabbit recovered successfully. The presumed diagnosis is esophageal obstruction by particulate food. This rabbit is known to eat voraciously.

If the obstruction is partial, the rabbit may not have many significant symptoms other than loss of appetite and aerophagia, which may be observed on X-rays (Figure 12.9). The obstruction may be removed during an examination under anesthesia and through a stomach tube. Endoscopy of the mouth, throat, and esophagus is beneficial. A 3-year-old neutered male dwarf lop rabbit chewed a cushion. One end of the kapok filling was stuck on a curved and extended tooth, and the remaining part, about 4 centimeters long, was stuck in the esophagus. The rabbit is not eating but is still active and in good spirits. An X-ray of the flank shows little or no food in the gastrointestinal tract, which is instead filled with air. The stomach is not enlarged. It is contained within the costal arch and does not touch the ventral floor of the abdomen. After the kapok stuffing was removed, the rabbit recovered. Esophageal reflux Nasogastric tube use carries certain risks because they provide an entry point for stomach acid, which may leak into the esophagus through the cardiac sphincter, causing gastroesophageal reflux. Iatrogenic complications including aspiration pneumonia, gastroesophageal reflux, esophagitis, and stricture may occur with the use of nasogastric or nasoesophageal tubes (Powers, 2006). Myasthenia Gravis Based on the author's preliminary judgment, some rabbits with chronic rumination but no evidence of physical obstruction of the esophagus were diagnosed as possibly suffering from myasthenia gravis. One case involved a rabbit that died suddenly after having a thymoma removed. Autopsy revealed a dilated esophagus filled with cecal feces. Some cecum blocks the throat.

About the book: "BSAVA Manual of Rabbit Medicine" is a manual on rabbit medicine, published by the British Small Animal Veterinary Association ( BSAVA) published. This manual details rabbit biology, behavior, and the diagnosis and treatment of common diseases. In addition, the book also covers the basics of raising rabbits, such as nutrition, environment and behavioral needs.

The manual is divided into 16 chapters, including rabbit neurological diseases, respiratory diseases, digestive system diseases, urinary system diseases, eye diseases, ear, nose and throat diseases, bone and joint diseases, skin and hair diseases, parasites and Pests, diseases, tumors, infectious diseases, etc. This manual is designed to provide clinical veterinarians and breeders with some basic knowledge and treatment methods regarding rabbit medicine, to help veterinarians identify and treat common diseases, and to provide breeders with advice on preventing and caring for rabbit diseases.