Liver aspirate from a rabbit
Case information
A 13 week old, male Velveteen Lop rabbit was presented to the referring veterinarian due to acute onset of lethargy and weakness. This rabbit was one of 8 in a 20-rabbit household that displayed similar non-specific clinical signs in the previous weeks or had died suddenly. On physical examination, the rabbit was in lateral recumbency and unable to lift its head. Blood was taken for quick assessment testing and a marked hypoglycemia (20 mg/dL) was noted. Unfortunately, the rabbit died before additional diagnostic testing could be done. The carcass was submitted for complete necropsy.
On gross examination, all liver lobes contained numerous, multifocal to coalescing, 2-4 mm, linear, tan-yellow, slightly raised areas that extended into the parenchyma on cut section. Other organs were grossly unremarkable.
A touch impression smear of the liver lesions was performed and stained. Examine the representative figures below (Figures 1-4) before answering these questions.:
- What type of structures are present in Figures 1 to 4?
- Based on signalment, history, and the gross and cytologic findings, what is your top differential diagnosis?
- What other antemortem diagnostic tests can be performed on the remaining living rabbits in the same colony?
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