L. Krugnerhigby et al., HIGH PREVALENCE OF GASTRIC TRICHOBEZOARS (HAIR BALLS) IN WISTAR-KYOTORATS FED A SEMI-PURIFIED DIET, Laboratory animal science, 46(6), 1996, pp. 635-639
Gastric trichobezoars (hair balls) are frequently found in rabbits but
are rarely reported in rats. Several Wistar-Kyoto rats fed a semi-pur
ified diet developed anorexia and abdominal tenderness. Proteolysis th
erapy with fresh papaya and commercially prepared enzyme was attempted
in these rats but was not successful. The prevalence of trichobezoars
at necropsy was 100%. We conclude that semi-purified diets contribute
to trichobezoar formation in rats, but proteolysis therapy is not eff
ective in dissolving the trichobezoars.