Rabbits

Focus on the domestic rabbit; understanding its biology, anatomy, behavior, and care is crucial.

Adult Male: Buck
Neutered Male: Lapin
Adult Female: Doe
Process of Giving Birth: Kindling
Babies: Kits or Bunnies
Group of Rabbits: Herd
Classification: Belong to the Lagomorph classification, which also includes hares and pikas.
Historical Classification: Previously classified under the Rodentia family due to some shared characteristics but revised to the Lagomorphs due to noticeable differences.

Skull Structure: Characterized by deep orbital sockets and elongated shape.
Dental Structure:
- Hypsodont teeth: Continuously growing incisors.
- Peg Teeth (or wolf teeth): Located directly behind incisors.
Vital Parameters:
- Normal Body Temperature: $101 - 104$ degrees Fahrenheit.
- Pulse Rate: Between $180 - 250$ beats per minute.
- Respiratory Rate: $30 - 60$ breaths per minute at rest.
- Average Lifespan: $8 - 10$ years.
Unique Anatomy:
- Absence of foot pads leads to reliance on dense fur; housing must be on solid surfaces to prevent pododermatitis.
- Five nails on front feet; four on hind feet.
- Intestinal Tract: Includes the sacculus rotundus, a unique muscular sac at the end of the ileum.

Skin: Very thin; careful handling required to avoid injury during procedures.
Muscle vs. Bone Mass: Rabbits have a high muscle mass in relation to bone mass, necessitating cautious restraint to prevent spinal fractures.
Reproductive Anatomy:
- Distinguishing Sex:
- Female: Larger anal genital distance, dewlap for nest building.
- Male: Scrotal sacs cranial to urethral opening; penis can be extruded by applying pressure at the prepuce.

Aggression: Rarely aggressive; intact females may exhibit territorial behavior.
Social Needs: Prefer being housed in pairs for social interaction.
Alarm Response: Often thump their hind feet as a warning signal to others about potential threats.
Vocalization: Generally quiet but can vocalize when in pain or fear.
Circadian Rhythm: Crepuscular behavior, being most active during dusk and dawn.
Scent Marking: Utilize scent glands located under the mandible, anus, and inguinal regions to mark territory and young.

Correct Handling Techniques:
- Avoid picking up by the ears; not a proper handle.
- Ventral Recumbency: Holding on their stomach or rocking them back for dorsal recumbency can induce a stress response; this humane practice should focus on gentleness to prevent harm.
- Transport: Utilize the football hold for secure handling.
- Avoiding Injury: Always place the hind end into cages first to minimize stress and injury risk.
Common Restraint Methods:
- Use of towels on non-slip surfaces; some utilize restraint boxes or burrito wraps for transport.
- Attention to their defensive capabilities: strong teeth and sharp claws can pose a risk during handling.

Environmental Needs:
- Sensitive to heat; avoid temperatures over $90$ degrees Fahrenheit; provide shade and fresh water.
- Indoor housing must be rabbit-proofed against hazards like electrical cords and harmful plants.
Litter Training: Generally easy to train to use a litter box; offer a solid bottom cage to prevent pododermatitis.
Dietary Requirements:
- High fiber is critical: Grass hay (e.g., Timothy hay) should comprise about 80 ext{%} of their diet.
- Fresh vegetables can be included in moderation; avoid excessive pellet feeding to prevent obesity.
- Ensure constant access to clean water; rabbits will not eat without fresh water available.

Physical Examination: Start with observation; check coat, feet (signs of pododermatitis), ocular discharge, respiratory issues, and perform a basic TPR (Temperature, Pulse, Respiration).
Blood Collection Methods:
- Common sites: Marginal ear vein (for larger rabbits) or cephalic blood draws in clinical settings.
- Technique for Vein Visibility: Warm the ear with wintergreen oil to facilitate easier access.

Urinary Characteristics:
- Alkaline urinary pH (usually $8$ or greater) leads to potential cloudiness and crystal formation.
- Normal urine color can range from orange to brown, which may alarm untrained observers.
Bacterial and Viral Infections:
- Tisser's Disease: Poor husbandry leads to clostridial infection.
- Tularemia (Rabbit Fever): Zoonotic; more prevalent in wild populations.
- Myxomatosis: Viral disease with high mortality; asymptomatic in wild carriers but can devastate domestic populations.
- Pasturella: Common upper respiratory infection (snuffles); associated with stress and crowded conditions.
- Bordetella bronchiseptica: Can be lethal to guinea pigs, presenting symptoms similar to upper respiratory distress.
Gastrointestinal Issues:
- GI stasis or ileus due to stress or poor husbandry; promote fiber intake to minimize the risk of hairballs or impactions.
- Treatment Options: Increase fiber, consider papaya juice for passage of hairballs, utilize metoclopramide for gut motility, while surgical intervention may be needed if obstruction occurs.

Reproduction Basics:
- Induced ovulators; breeding occurs once in the doe's territory.
- Gestation lasts between $29$ to $35$ days; typically produces $4$ to $12$ kits depending on the breed.
- Nursing is brief (3 to 5 minutes), primarily during early morning hours.
- Kits: Altricial at birth; potential for cannibalism in stressful situations.

Commonly used species for research: New Zealand White rabbit.
Applications include studies on atherosclerosis, antibody production, drug screening, and pyrogen testing due to similarities in immune response to humans.

The complexity of rabbit care in terms of husbandry, handling, health management, and variety of diseases is critical for their well-being.
Understanding the specific needs and behaviors of domestic rabbits is essential for optimal care and management in veterinary practices and homes.