CERVICAL ABSCESSES CAUSED BY GEMELLA CUNICULI IN A DOMESTIC RABBIT (ORYCTOLAGUS CUNICULUS)-DIAGNOSIS AND SURGICAL THERAPY.

Gemella spp. is considered an emerging pathogen that causes endocarditis, sepsis, intracranial abscessation, and other infections in humans. A four-year-old female spayed lop-eared rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) was presented for hyporexia and decreased water consumption. Physical examination revealed a lobulated right cervical mass-like lesion. Gemella cuniculi was cultured from the lesion and confirmed via whole-blood PCR and direct sequencing. CT revealed a right cervical mass involving the right salivary gland with a suspected draining tract and consolidation in the right caudal lung lobe. Antibiotics were adjusted and the mass was surgically removed. The rabbit returned to normal appetite and behavior four days post-operatively, continued systemic antibiotics for one month and remains clinically healthy today (4 mon postoperatively). Management of G. cuniculi-associated clinical disease has not been reported previously in a rabbit. G. cuniculi should be considered a possible etiologic agent for rabbit abscessation.