Double or
duplicate gallbladder in a Harlequin breed rabbit
Michel Gruaz
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The liver is a voluminous organ, that takes a certain place in the abdomen. In rabbits, the liver is composed of two main lobes, right and left, that are separated by a deep median cleft. Between these lobes are two accessory lobes: the cranial lobe and and thecaudal lobe. The liver remains in pace in the abdomen thanks to ligaments that attach to the diaphragm and the dorsal wall of the abdomen. The liver plays a central role in the synthesis of proteins, in the metabolism of sugars and the storage of nutrients, in the degradation of toxins and the treatment of organic waste produced by cells of the body. It has, furthermore, an endocrine function, stimulationg numerous biochemical reactions that are
important for the proper functioning of the body, and an exocrine function,
with the secretion of bile. The latter is a viscous liquid that helps digest
fats. In rabbits, bile is produced continuously and stored in the
gallbladder, then secreted into the small intestine (duodenum) through the
bile ducts. The vesicle has a pear-like shape.
The gallbladder is located in the right
cranial lobule, inside the depression on the caudal surface.
Congenital double gallbladder A double or duplicate gallbladder is a rare
congenital anomaly. During the embryonic phase, the first stage gallbladder (primordium)
bifurcates, which results in a double or duplicate vesicle. This deformation
seems more common in herbivorous animals, like cows (1 in 28 calves) and in
sheep (1 in 85). Some cases have been reported in rabbits. Different types of
gallbladder duplication have been observed:
·
Bifide, bilobed type: a membrane divides the vesicle is divided
in its length, creating two side by side pockets;
·
Double type: presence of 2 separate
gallbladders. Their bile ducts can join before delivering bile into
the small intestine, or remain separate. Several clinical signs have been associated with this congenital
anomaly. Abdominal pain at stomach level has been associated with a double
gallbladder, which can lead to a lack of appetite in rabbits. In other animals, signs associated to a double gallbladder include biliary colics, pain,
acute inflammation of the gallbladder (cholecystitis)
and the presence of gallstones (cholelithiasis).
More information
Milot L, Partensky
C, Scoazec JY, Valette PJ, Pilleul F. Double gallbladder diagnosed on
contrast-enhanced MR cholangiography with mangafodipir trisodium. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2005;184(3 Suppl):S88-90. Moores AL, Gregory SP.
Duplex gall bladder associated with choledocholithiasis,
cholecystitis, gall bladder rupture and septic
peritonitis in a cat. J Small Anim Pract. 2007;48(7):404-9. Stingl H. [Vesica fellea
duplex and vesica fellea
divisa in rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus)].
Berl
Munch Tierarztl Wochenschr.
1971;84(21):420-2.
Stolkind E. Double gall-bladder report of a case and review of 38 cases. British Journal of Surgery
Vol 27 (108), 1940: 760–766.
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