Liver lobe torsion

This image shows the liver of a rabbit that died from a torsion of the caudate process of the caudal lobe of the liver (arrow). This is the most common part of the liver to be involved in liver lobe torsion in rabbits. The image shows its position behind the ribs on the right side of the abdomen

Some rabbits with liver lobe torsion die suddenly from shock. In most cases it is the pendulous caudal process of the caudal lobe, which sits over the right kidney, that twists. The affected lobe is obvious during post-mortem examination and in some cases is a different lobe. Occasionally the affected and enlarged lobe will rupture causing fatal abdominal haemorrhage.