Primary Glaucoma in a Litter of Lop Rabbits.

Lop rabbits may have hereditary PLD predisposing to primary glaucoma; gonioscopic screening is recommended.

This study presents the first formal description of pectinate ligament dysplasia (PLD) and primary glaucoma in a litter of Lop rabbits, describing findings across six adult siblings (three males, three females). Two males presented with clinical signs of chronic glaucoma including diffuse corneal edema, buphthalmos, and elevated intraocular pressure (IOP), while a third female died during anesthesia for an unrelated procedure. Gonioscopy performed on the three clinically normal females revealed partial or complete iridocorneal angle (ICA) closure, indicating subclinical disease in animals without overt signs. Histopathological evaluation of six eyes from three animals confirmed PLD in both glaucomatous and non-glaucomatous eyes. In glaucomatous eyes, uvea-like tissue bridged the ICA with absent or indistinct ciliary cleft, pectinate ligament, and scleral venous plexus, along with inner-to full-thickness retinal atrophy consistent with chronic glaucomatous damage. Non-glaucomatous eyes demonstrated multiple segments of uveal tissue crossing the ICA with partial trabecular meshwork collapse. The familial occurrence across all six littermates strongly suggests a hereditary basis for PLD in Lop rabbits, paralleling similar inherited conditions in dogs such as Basset Hounds and Border Collies. Clinicians should consider screening Lop rabbits for ICA abnormalities via gonioscopy, as PLD may represent a subclinical predisposing condition prior to overt glaucoma development. Early identification could allow for prophylactic intervention and improved breeding decisions.

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