ANIMAL HUSBANDRY - Rabbits Flashcards
What taxonomic order are rabbits included in?
Taxonomic order Lagomorpha
Rabbits are crepuscular animals. What does this mean?
Crepuscular animals are active during twilight
What is the lifespan of a rabbit?
Rabbits can live between five to twelve years old
What is the reference range for a rabbit’s temperature?
Temperature: 38.5-40°C
What is the reference range for a rabbit’s heartbeat?
Heatbeat: 180-300 bpm
What is the reference range for a rabbit’s respiratory rate?
Respiratory rate: 30-60 per min
When a rabbit is stressed, what is the average respiratory rate?
When a rabbit is stressed, their respiratory rate can reach above 100 per min
What is the lagomorph (rabbit) dental formula?
2-0-3-3 / 1-0-2-3
Identify this breed of rabbit
Lop rabbit
Identify this breed of rabbit
Lionhead rabbit
Identify this breed of rabbit
Netherland dwarf
Identify this breed of rabbit
English rabbit
Identify this breed of rabbit
Dutch rabbit
Identify this breed of rabbit
Giant rabbit
What are one of the main health issues Lop rabbits are prone to due to their breed?
Lop rabbits are prone to ear disease due to their large floppy ears leading to a lack of ventilation as well as providing a dark, moist space for bacteria to habituate
What are one of the main health issues Netherland dwarf rabbits are prone to due to their breed?
Netherland dwarf rabbits are prone to congenital dental disease
What are one of the main health issues Giant rabbits are prone to due to their breed?
Giant rabbits have a very fragile lumbar skeleton due to their size
What is the most important component of a rabbit’s diet?
Fibre
What percentage of a rabbit’s diet should be made up of fibre?
20-25% of a rabbit’s diet should be made up of fibre
What percentage of an adult rabbit’s diet should be made up of protein?
12-16% of an adult rabbit’s diet should be made up of protein
What percentage of a young or lactating rabbit’s diet should be made up of protein?
19% of a young or lactating rabbit’s diet should be made up of protein
What percentage of a rabbit’s diet should be made up of fats?
2-3% of a rabbit’s diet should be made up of fats
What are the two types of fibre required in a rabbit’s diet?
Indigestible fibres (long fibres)
Digestible fibres (short fibres)
What are the two main components of indigestible fibres (long fibres)?
Lignin
Cellulose
What are the three main components of digestible fibres (short fibres)?
Cellulose
Hemicellulose
Pectin
Why are indigestible fibres (long fibres) such an important aspect of a rabbit’s diet?
Indigestible fibres (long fibres) promote gut health and provide optimal dental wear
Why are digestible fibres (short fibres) such an important aspect of a rabbit’s diet?
Digestible fibres (short fibres) promote caecal fermentation and provide nutrients
What are the three main components of a rabbit’s diet (i.e. what should you feed a rabbit)?
Hay/grass
Pelleted food
Leafy greens
Which two types of hay are best to feed to pet rabbits?
Timothy hay
Meadow hay
Why is it not advisable to feed pet rabbits alfalfa hay?
Alfalfa hay has a high calcium percentage and in the long term can lead to urinary sedimentation and overloading of the kidneys
What are the three types of concentrates that are fed to pet rabbits?
Cereal mix
Pellet food
Extruded food
Why should cereal mix be avoided when feeding rabbits?
Cereal mix concentrates lead to selective feeding and an unbalanced diet
Why is extruded food the best form of concentrates to be fed to rabbits?
Extruded food contained both indigestible (long) and digestible (short) fibres which are more palatable to rabbits
What should be fed to rabbits at weaning age (3 weeks old)?
Rabbits at weaning age should predominantly consume rabbit milk however hay and water can also be offered at three weeks of age
How should a young rabbit diet be modified in comparison to an adult rabbit diet?
A young rabbit should have a higher protein and calcium content in their diet compared to adult rabbits
At what age can leafy greens be gradually introduced to a rabbit’s diet?
Leafy greens can be gradually introduced at six weeks of age
What is the main consequence of introducing leafy greens too quickly or too early in a rabbit’s diet?
Introducing leafy greens too quickly or too early can cause the rabbit to enter dysbiosis (disruption of the microbiome)
How should a senior rabbit (5+) diet be modified in comparison to an adult rabbit diet?
A senior rabbit should have reduced energy and protein intake compared to an adult rabbit
Which two supplements are beneficial to include in a senior rabbit diet and why?
Probiotics (promote gut health)
Glucosamine (promote joint health)
What are the three minimal requirements for a suitable rabbit hutch?
- Rabbit should be able to lie down and stretch out comfortably in all directions
- Rabbit should be able to stand tall without their ears touching the roof
- Rabbit should be able to take three hops from one end to another
What is the optimal temperature range for a rabbit?
15 - 21°C
Why should rabbits never be housed alone?
Rabbits are social animals that suffer from stress associated with social isolation
Which two small mammals should rabbits not be housed with?
Guinea pigs
Ferrets
(T/F) Rabbits cannot be housed with cats and dogs
FALSE. Rabbits can be housed with cats and dogs under the appropriate circumstances
How often should rabbits have routine health checks with a veterinarian?
Every six months
Which two diseases are vaccinated against in rabbits?
Myxomatosis
Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease (RHD)
Which virus causes myxomatosis?
Myxoma virus
What is the mortality rate of Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease (RHD) type 1?
100% mortality
At what age can rabbits receive their first myxo/vhd1-2 vaccination?
At five weeks of age
How often should rabbits receive a myxo/vhd1-2 booster?
Rabbits should receive a myxo/vhd1-2 booster annually
What are the six main benefits of neutering rabbits?
Allows for companionship
Prevents uterine adenocarcinoma
Prevents testicular tumours
Prevents pseudopregnancy
Reduces aggression
Reduces spraying
At what age can rabbits be neutered?
Rabbits can be neutered from 4-6 months of age
Which four factors should you observe when subjectively observing a rabbit?
Behaviour
Demeanour
Respiratory rate
Mobility
Which six features of the head should you assess during a rabbit clinical examination?
Facial symmetry
Eyes
Lacrimal ducts
Ears
Incisors
Cheek teeth
Why is it so important to assess the lacrimal ducts of rabbits?
Rabbits have delicate lacrimal ducts which can become blocked, resulting in eye infections
Which muscles are used for intramuscular (IM) injections in rabbits?
Lumbar muscles
Quadriceps muscle
What is the best vein to use for intravenous injection (IV) and venepuncture in rabbits?
Lateral saphenous vein
Which three other veins can be used for intravenous injection (IV) and venepuncture in rabbits?
Jugular vein
Cephalic vein
Marginal ear vein
Why is it recommended to use Emla cream before injecting rabbits?
Rabbits are particularly sensitive to injections and the Emla cream will numb the skin and reduce pain to make the process more comfortable for them
What is the most common parasite seen in rabbits?
Encephalitozoon cuniculi
How is Encephalitozoon cuniculi transmitted?
Encephalitozoon cuniculi is transmitted through ingestion or inhalation
Which prophylactic treatment can be adminstered to prevent Encephalitozoon cuniculi infection?
Encephalitozoon cuniculi can be prevented with fenbendazole administration for 9 days every 6 months
How should Encephalitozoon cuniculi be treated in rabbits?
Encephalitozoon cuniculi is treated with a 28 day course of fenbendazole
List four examples of pathologies that result from poor rabbit husbandry
Fur and ear mites
Myiasis
Urine scalding
Pododermatitis
Which species of mite can cause superficial fur mites in rabbits?
Cheyletiella parasitovorax
What are the clinical signs of a Cheyletiella parasitovorax infestation?
Scaling and superficial dermatitis on the dorsum of the rabbit
Which species of mite can cause superficial ear mites in rabbits?
Psoroptes cuniculi
What are the clinical signs of a Psoroptes cuniculi infestation?
Crusts on the external ear canal and pinna
Which two ectoparasiticide drugs can be used to treat ear and fur mites in rabbits?
Ivermectin
Selemectin
Which five factors can increase the risk of myiasis in rabbits?
Urine scalding
Caecotroph accumulation
Infection
Obesity
Poor hygeine
What is urine scalding?
Urine scalding is the inflammtion of the perineum and thighs due to contact with urine
What are the five possible causes of urine scalding in rabbits?
Encephalitozoon cuniculi infection
Renal disease
Arthritis
Obesity
Pain
How can an Encephalitozoon cuniculi infection cause urine scalding?
Encephalitozoon cuniculi infection can cause polyuria
Which three factors can increase the risk of pododermatitis in rabbits?
Hard flooring
Poor hygeine
Excessive thumping due to stress
What can be used to treat a mild pododermatitis in rabbits?
Sudocrem
List three examples of pathologies that result from poor rabbit diet
Obesity
Gut stasis
Dental disease
Which three diseases are obsese rabbits predisposed to?
Arthritis
Hepatic lipidosis
Pregnancy toxaemia
What is gut stasis?
Gut stasis is the reduced motility of the gastrointestinal tract
What are the two classifications of gut stasis?
Non-obstructive stasis
Obstructive stasis
What are the four possible causes of non-obstructive stasis?
Pain
Stress
Poor diet
Sudden change in diet
Whar are the three possible causes of obstructive stasis?
Impacted stomach
Impacted caecum
Partial or complete intestinal obstruction
What are the five clinical signs of gut stasis?
Decreased appetite
Anorexia
Decreased faecal output
Lethargy
Abdominal pain
What are the five clinical signs of dental disease in rabbits?
Elongated incisors
Spikes on cheek teeth
Anorexia
Weight loss
Decreased faecal output
