Academic Journal
Bunny Burrito Restraint for Computed Tomography in Conscious Rabbits: An Effective Alternative.
| Title: | Bunny Burrito Restraint for Computed Tomography in Conscious Rabbits: An Effective Alternative. |
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| Authors: | Liu HT; Evidensia Uppsala Veterinary Clinic, Uppsala, Sweden., Olijnyk J; Diagnostic Imaging Department, Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden., Ingman J; Evidensia Uppsala Veterinary Clinic, Uppsala, Sweden., Sundberg E; Diagnostic Imaging Department, Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden., Volait-Rosset L; Evidensia Roslagstull Veterinary Clinic, Stockholm, Sweden., Gombert A; Diagnostic Imaging Department, Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden. |
| Source: | Veterinary radiology & ultrasound : the official journal of the American College of Veterinary Radiology and the International Veterinary Radiology Association [Vet Radiol Ultrasound] 2026 Sep; Vol. 67 (5), pp. e70230. |
| Publication Type: | Journal Article; Multicenter Study; Observational Study, Veterinary |
| Language: | English |
| Journal Info: | Publisher: Blackwell Country of Publication: England NLM ID: 9209635 Publication Model: Print Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1740-8261 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 10588183 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Vet Radiol Ultrasound Subsets: MEDLINE |
| Imprint Name(s): | Publication: Oxford : Blackwell Original Publication: Raleigh Nc : American College Of Veterinary Radiology |
| MeSH Terms: | Restraint, Physical*/veterinary , Restraint, Physical*/methods , Tomography, X-Ray Computed*/veterinary , Tomography, X-Ray Computed*/methods, Animals ; Rabbits ; Retrospective Studies ; Female ; Male |
| Abstract: | Computed tomography (CT) is a critical diagnostic tool in rabbits. Traditional CT imaging often requires sedation or general anesthesia, posing inherent risks such as mortality and gastrointestinal complications. An effective physical restraint method could enhance patient safety, reduce costs, and improve accessibility to CT imaging. This study evaluates the effectiveness of the well-known bunny burrito restraint technique as an alternative to the plexiglass chamber method for conducting CT examinations in conscious rabbits. A retrospective multicenter observational study was conducted on 93 client-owned rabbits undergoing CT between March 2021 and December 2023. Cases were classified into three restraint groups: bunny burrito (n = 36), plexiglass chamber (n = 47), and sedation (n = 10). CT image quality was assessed on the basis of motion artifacts, positioning, and stability across different acquisitions. Statistical analyses, including logistic regression, were performed to compare the two physical restraint methods. The bunny burrito technique had significantly lower motion artifacts in pre-contrast acquisition (p = 0.02), better positioning in the dental disease subgroup (p = 0.03), and better stability in early post-contrast period (p = 0.04, wide confidence interval) compared to the plexiglass chamber group. Image quality was similar between bunny burrito and sedation in descriptive results. No complications were reported during or after CT examinations. In conclusion, the bunny burrito method is an effective and safe restraint method for CT imaging in conscious rabbits that shows advantages over the plexiglass chamber in specific imaging contexts. It minimizes sedation-related risks with simplified equipment. This method represents a valuable advancement in veterinary diagnostic imaging. (© 2026 The Author(s). Veterinary Radiology & Ultrasound published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American College of Veterinary Radiology.) |
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| Contributed Indexing: | Keywords: Oryctolagus cuniculus; computed tomography (CT); nonchemical restraint; rabbit handling; veterinary imaging techniques |
| Entry Date(s): | Date Created: 20260826 Date Completed: 20260826 Latest Revision: 20260909 |
| Update Code: | 20260909 |
| PubMed Central ID: | PMC13510107 |
| DOI: | 10.1111/vru.70230 |
| PMID: | 42644764 |
| Database: | MEDLINE |
| ISSN: | 1740-8261 |
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| DOI: | 10.1111/vru.70230 |