RABBITSRABBITS

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RABBITSRABBITS

►LagomorphsLagomorphs►HerbivoresHerbivores►Posses a single stomachPosses a single stomach

Cecum is enlarged and appears to be a Cecum is enlarged and appears to be a reservoir in which cellulose and other food reservoir in which cellulose and other food can undergo fermentation.can undergo fermentation.

RABBITSRABBITS

►Two types of fecal pelletsTwo types of fecal pellets One type: Relatively dry, dark brown or One type: Relatively dry, dark brown or

black in color, and is the type usually black in color, and is the type usually observed in cage.observed in cage.►Excreted primarily during the dayExcreted primarily during the day

Second type: Very moist, usually a dark Second type: Very moist, usually a dark green in color.green in color.►Eaten by the rabbit as it is excreted. Eaten by the rabbit as it is excreted. ►Rarely observed in cageRarely observed in cage►Often called night fecesOften called night feces

RABBITSRABBITS

Day feces Night feces

Night feces very rich in nutrients produced by bacteria in the rabbit’s cecum.

Rabbits unable to eat night feces may develop nutritional deficiency diseases.

RABBITSRABBITS

Normal rabbit feces which you should be seeing when cleaning their cage.

RABBITSRABBITS

►Use in researchUse in research Studies of hydrocephalus, arteriosclerosis, Studies of hydrocephalus, arteriosclerosis,

hyperthermia, toxicology, ophthalmology, hyperthermia, toxicology, ophthalmology, and reproductive physiology.and reproductive physiology.

Most common – antibody productionMost common – antibody production

RABBITS -BEHAVIORRABBITS -BEHAVIOR► Even temperamentEven temperament

Occasional animal that Occasional animal that will deliberately attackwill deliberately attack

► Caged rabbit may hop Caged rabbit may hop around in its cage and around in its cage and exploreexplore

► Frightened rabbit may Frightened rabbit may stomp and thump its stomp and thump its rear feet out of fear or rear feet out of fear or as a sign of aggression as a sign of aggression when startled.when startled.

RABBITS - BEHAVIORRABBITS - BEHAVIOR

►At rest, rabbit may stretch out on its At rest, rabbit may stretch out on its side or stomach and rest its head on side or stomach and rest its head on the cage floor.the cage floor.

►Frightened rabbit may race around the Frightened rabbit may race around the cage, kicking with its hind legs or seek cage, kicking with its hind legs or seek cover in a corner.cover in a corner.

►May vocalize – similar to a child's cryMay vocalize – similar to a child's cry►Very sensitive to noiseVery sensitive to noise

BEHAVIORBEHAVIOR

►Active and curiousActive and curious►Able to escape from unsecured cages.Able to escape from unsecured cages.►Be sure to properly latch the cage Be sure to properly latch the cage

door.door.►Normally sit on all 4 feetNormally sit on all 4 feet►Move around cage by hoppingMove around cage by hopping

Occassionally stand on their hind legsOccassionally stand on their hind legs

RABBITS - IDENTIFICATIONRABBITS - IDENTIFICATION

►Metal ear tagsMetal ear tags May be torn out May be torn out

causing infectioncausing infection

► Studs with Studs with imprinted imprinted permanent numberspermanent numbers

► Ear tattoosEar tattoos

Note the tattoo in the rabbit’s ear

RABBIT – HANDLING AND RABBIT – HANDLING AND RESTRAINTRESTRAINT

►Timid and excitableTimid and excitable May resist handlingMay resist handling

►Gentle and firm manual restraint causes Gentle and firm manual restraint causes rabbit to relax.rabbit to relax. Grasp scruff of neck with one handGrasp scruff of neck with one hand Support the hind end and back with other Support the hind end and back with other

hand.hand.►Important to prevent rabbit from kicking in an Important to prevent rabbit from kicking in an

attempt to escape.attempt to escape.►Allow rabbit to tuck its head.Allow rabbit to tuck its head.

HANDLING AND RESTRAINTHANDLING AND RESTRAINT

Grabbing the rabbit’s scruff Support the back end of the rabbit

HANDLING AND RESTRAINTHANDLING AND RESTRAINT

Note the handler has control of the head by holding the scruff. She also has support of the back end and allows the rabbit to tuck his head under her arm.

What is this?What is this?

The above picture is showing a rabbit which is using a “cart” This is designed to allow the rabbit to be mobile. We see these in rabbits and also in dogs and cats when there is a spinal cord injury which renders them paralyzed.

RABBITS – SEX RABBITS – SEX DETERMINATIONDETERMINATION

►Male rabbits (bucks)Male rabbits (bucks) Have external Have external

scrotumscrotum Penis can be Penis can be

protruded by protruded by applying gentle applying gentle pressure.pressure.

► Female rabbits Female rabbits (does)(does) Vulva may be seen Vulva may be seen

as a pointed slitas a pointed slit

Which is the male and which is the female?

RABBITS - HOUSINGRABBITS - HOUSING

► May be housed in May be housed in groups in floor pensgroups in floor pens

► More commonly More commonly individually in hanging individually in hanging or rack mounted cages.or rack mounted cages.

► Floors may be either Floors may be either wire mesh or slatted wire mesh or slatted barsbars

► Various absorbent pads Various absorbent pads or pelleted products are or pelleted products are available for use in the available for use in the fecal pans.fecal pans.

Note the automatic waterer in the back of the cage

Enrichment

RABBITSRABBITS

► Urine can vary from Urine can vary from clear red to yellow to clear red to yellow to a creamy yellow.a creamy yellow.

► Urine contains a high Urine contains a high concentration of concentration of calcium saltscalcium salts Difficult to clean from Difficult to clean from

cagescages Usually requires the Usually requires the

use of an acid use of an acid treatment during treatment during washing.washing.

Normal rabbit urine

RABBITS - DIETRABBITS - DIET

►Ad Lib supply of fresh clean waterAd Lib supply of fresh clean water Drinking bottlesDrinking bottles

►Must be fastened securely to cages as rabbits Must be fastened securely to cages as rabbits often chew on the sipper tubes.often chew on the sipper tubes.

Automatic watering systemAutomatic watering system

►High fiber diets High fiber diets Avoid obesityAvoid obesity Contribute to prevention of hairballs in Contribute to prevention of hairballs in

stomach (trichobezoar)stomach (trichobezoar)

RABBITS - DIETRABBITS - DIET

► Should be fed pellets Should be fed pellets from J feeders.from J feeders.

► Feed by gnawing their Feed by gnawing their food.food.

► Intestinal flora is very Intestinal flora is very sensitive to dietary sensitive to dietary changeschanges Any changes should be Any changes should be

done gradually over 4-5 done gradually over 4-5 days.days.

► Rabbits are Rabbits are coprophagouscoprophagous

BREEDINGBREEDING

►Sexual Maturity – 4-6 months of ageSexual Maturity – 4-6 months of age►Gestation – 29-35 daysGestation – 29-35 days►Litter size – 4-10Litter size – 4-10►Does with new litters, especially if first Does with new litters, especially if first

litter, should not be disturbed to litter, should not be disturbed to prevent them from killing their young.prevent them from killing their young.

►Parturition - KindlingParturition - Kindling

OTHER INFORMATIONOTHER INFORMATION

►Toenails grow rapidly.Toenails grow rapidly. Wild rabbits keep their nails worn down by Wild rabbits keep their nails worn down by

digging and running.digging and running.

►Caged rabbits must have nails clipped Caged rabbits must have nails clipped periodically.periodically.

ILLNESSILLNESS

What do you see wrong with this rabbit?

ILLNESSILLNESS

This rabbit has Snuffles. Snuffles is an upper respiratory disease which is very contagious. Snuffles is caused by a bacteria named Pasturella multocida.

Discharge on left front leg from grooming

Ocular discharge

(Conjunctivitis)

Nasal discharge – Can start watery and then turn whitish or yellow

ILLNESSILLNESS

► Rabbits groom frequently and will ingest hair.Rabbits groom frequently and will ingest hair.► If a hairball accumulates in their If a hairball accumulates in their

gastrointestinal tract, they may end up with an gastrointestinal tract, they may end up with an obstructionobstruction Rabbit may stop eatingRabbit may stop eating Feces will decrease and may stop all together.Feces will decrease and may stop all together.

►Helping to keep temperatures low in the animal Helping to keep temperatures low in the animal room will reduce the amount of fur they shed.room will reduce the amount of fur they shed.

► Also feeding diets high in fiber.Also feeding diets high in fiber.

ILLNESSILLNESS

►Malocclusion – Malocclusion – Incisors overgrowIncisors overgrow Rabbit may stop Rabbit may stop

eatingeating

►Need to trim the Need to trim the teeth in these teeth in these cases.cases.

ILLNESSILLNESS

►ObesityObesity Caused by feeding a Caused by feeding a

diet high in caloriesdiet high in calories Lack of exerciseLack of exercise

► Rabbits that are Rabbits that are obese are not able obese are not able to groom properly to groom properly

► They also may not They also may not be able to reach to be able to reach to eat their night feces.eat their night feces.