Outcome of intraluminal tracheal stent placement for tracheal stenosis in a rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus)

A seven-year-old female spayed dwarf rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) was evaluated for respiratory distress 12 days after an ovariohysterectomy and mammary mass removal. Severe inspiratory stridor and open-mouth breathing were observed on presentation. Results of whole body radiographs revealed an intrathoracic tracheal stricture 12.5-cm distal to the nose. A 5-mm × 30-mm nitinol self-expanding metallic stent was placed under fluoroscopic guidance across the tracheal stricture. The patient was discharged the next day on a tapering course of prednisone over a week and a short course of a bronchodilator (terbutaline) and an antibiotic (enrofloxacin). On follow-up examinations from 10 days to 21 months after stent placement, no associated respiratory signs or stent complications were observed. At present, the rabbit remains otherwise healthy with an intact tracheal stent and no recurrent episodes of dyspnea over 24 months after placement. Tracheal stent placement in this rabbit allowed for emergent treatment of life threatening tracheal stricture formation utilizing a minimally invasive technique. Tracheal stenting resulted in rapid resolution of respiratory distress with favorable long-term outcome. This is the first reported clinical case of tracheal stent use in a rabbit, and supports the tolerance of tracheal stents in this species long term.