Rabbits
The Domestic Rabbit: Key Concepts and Information
Taxonomy
Scientific Name: Oryctolagus cuniculus
Terms to Know
Adult Male Intact: Buck
Neutered Adult Male: Lapin
Adult Female: Doe
Parturition: Kindling
Neonate: Kit/Bunny
Herd: A group of rabbits
Lagomorpha: Classification including rabbits, hares, and pikas
Peg Teeth: Located directly behind incisors; absent in rodents, these peg teeth aid in the rabbit's ability to manage coarse fibrous diet.
Vital Parameters
Temperature:
Pulse Rate: (may exceed when stressed)
Respiration Rate: (calm)
Lifespan: Approximately years, though some can live up to 12 years with good care.
Anatomy
Rabbits DO NOT have footpads, which can lead to pododermatitis if housed on non-solid surfaces, emphasizing the need for proper flooring in their living area.
Nails: 5 on fore feet, 4 on hind feet; regular nail trimming is essential to prevent overgrowth and discomfort.
Cannot vomit; unique intestinal structure called sacculus rotundus allows for efficient digestion but requires a high-fiber diet for gut motility.
Herbivorous; hindgut fermenters with a large cecum, they rely on a diet rich in fiber to maintain digestive health.
Skin: Thin and fragile, may thicken with age or being intact, necessitating careful handling to prevent injury.
Teeth: Peg teeth and aradicular hypsodont teeth exist, which includes incisors for cutting, premolars, and molars for grinding food.
Bone Mass: Less than muscle mass, making bones fragile and prone to fractures, highlighting the importance of a safe environment to minimize injury risks.
Sexing Rabbits
Female: External genitalia is positioned cranial to the anus, and they may have a larger and more prominent dewlap, particularly in mature rabbits.
Male: Scrotal sacs are craniolateral to the urethral opening; the penis can be extruded by applying gentle pressure on the prepuce base, which is crucial for determining sex in young rabbits.
Behavior
Generally not aggressive; intact females may be territorial and show aggressive behavior towards other females, especially during breeding season.
Exhibit prey species behaviors: sensitive to noise, they may freeze or flee; thus, a quiet environment supports their well-being.
Social animals; pairing is beneficial for mental health, reducing stress and loneliness.
Vocalizations: Generally quiet; they vocalize under stress through whimpering, growling, or honking, which may signal discomfort or displeasure.
Engage in digging and thumping behaviors as a form of communication. Thumping is often a warning signal to other rabbits of potential dangers.
Use scent glands to mark territory, establishing social hierarchies; they have submandibular (chin) and inguinal anal glands for scent marking.
Restraint Methods
Avoid using ears as handles; do not place rabbits in dorsal recumbency lightly as it may induce stress or panic.
Use a towel for a non-slip surface; covering the rabbit's eyes may reduce stress during handling, as it calms them.
Recommended to place hind end first into a cage during transport and to handle gently to minimize fear response and avoid injury.
Husbandry
Temperature: Extremely sensitive to heat; should not exceed or 90 ext{ %} humidity levels. Ensure cooling mechanisms, such as fans or misting, are in place during hot weather.
Housing: Ensure spaces are large enough for hiding and exercise; solid-bottomed cages with soft substrates prevent pododermatitis, ensuring comfort and preventing pain.
Indoor Care: Keep toxic plants and electrical cords out of reach to prevent ingestion and potential harm.
Nutrition
Freely available, clean water is critical; rabbits will not eat without it as hydration is essential for digestion and overall health.
Diet Composition: 80% hay (timothy and grass for structure), along with leafy greens supplemented with a minimal amount of high-quality rabbit pellets (15% protein, 10% fiber).
Cecotropes (night feces): produced for nutrition; these specialized droppings are rich in vitamins and protein and are essential for the rabbit’s health.
Diet Restrictions: Limit sweets and high-caloric foods; fiber is essential to prevent obesity and gastrointestinal issues, as imbalances can lead to life-threatening conditions like GI stasis.
Physical Examination
Begin with visual observation; check hair coat for dullness or matting, skin for lesions or parasites, and mucous membranes for hydration status.
Ensure proper restraint throughout the examination; check TPR (temperature, pulse, respiration) and assess dental health, looking for overgrown teeth or dental disease.
Blood Collection Techniques
Sites: Marginal ear vein, auricular artery, jugular vein, and lateral saphenous vein are common sites for blood collection. Proper handling is advised to avoid skin tears.
May require warming the ear before collection; sedation may be used based on the individual rabbit's stress levels and temperament during the procedure.
Common Health Issues
Bacterial Infections: Tyzzer’s disease, caused by the bacterium Clostridium piliforme, and Tularemia, a zoonotic disease that poses risks to both rabbits and humans.
Viral Infections: Myxomatosis, characterized by high mortality rates and rapid deterioration in affected animals; is transmitted via mosquitoes and direct contact.
GI Stasis/Ileus: Often stress-induced; treatment includes ensuring chewing of high-fiber foods, providing fluids, and pharmaceutical support as necessary to restore gut motility.
Zoonotic Diseases
Risks to Humans: Salmonella, P. multocida, Cheyletiella, and Tularemia are potential health threats; proper hygiene after handling rabbits is critical to prevent transmission of these diseases.
Rabbit Reproduction
Induced ovulators; gestation lasts days; litter sizes can vary from kits, depending on the health and age of the doe.
Nursing duration is about minutes per session, with kits consuming 20 ext{% of their body weight}, requiring a proper nursing environment with no disturbances.
Identification Methods
Techniques include tattoos, microchips, cage cards, and dyes/markers for tracking and identification; microchip identification is particularly useful in lost pet scenarios.
Research Uses
Common models in studies related to atherosclerosis, antibody production, drug screening, and ocular research, highlighting their utility in advancing biomedical science and veterinary medicine.