Thymoma

Thymomas are tumors that originate from the thymus, a specialized organ of the immune system in the chest cavity.

"Thymoma is a benign epithelial mediastinal neoplasm commonly diagnosed in pet rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus domesticus). The survival times dependant on treatment, radiotherapy, prednisolone, or no treatment, has not been previously analysed for this condition. A current study by Palmer et al. (2021), revealed that prednisolone alone can significantly extend survival time and improve quality of life, as well as providing a low cost, effective option with minimal side effects. Radiotherapy did significantly reduce the size of the thymoma, but did reduce the life expectancy of the patient, likely due to the repeated anaesthetics required. For more information about this study, please read the recent edition of Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine." - Association of Exotic Mammal Veterinarians


 * Palmer, A., Wu, C., Miwa, Y., Turek, M., and Sladky, K. 2021. Outcomes and survival times of client-owned rabbits diagnosed with thymoma and treated with either prednisolone or radiotherapy, or left untreated. Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine. 38. 35-43.

Symptoms

 * Eye bulging (exophthalmus)
 * Third eye protusion
 * Swelling of the head, neck, or forelimbs
 * Abnormally rapid breathing (tachypnea)
 * Difficult or labored breathing (dyspnea)
 * Widespread scaling of the skin (exfoliative dermatitis)
 * Sebaceous adentitis