Ch23 - Rabbits

Question 1

Rabbits are particularly susceptible to what injury?

Answer 1

Broken back

Question 2

At what age should rabbit kits be weaned?

Answer 2

5-8 weeks

Question 3

What would NOT be considered appropriate EE for rabbits?

Answer 3

Hammocks

Question 4

True or False: Rabbits frequently bite and should be handled with leather gloves

Answer 4

False (rabbits are relatively calm and nonaggressive)

Question 5

True or False: Rabbits have a high flight response to fear.

Answer 5

True

Question 6

What are 3 signs of sickness and stress in rabbits?

Answer 6

Lethargy, tooth grinding, anorexia (low appetite)

Question 7

What would happen if a buck were placed in a doe’s cage?

Answer 7

The doe would attack the buck (and therefore not mate. for mating, place the doe in the buck’s cage)

Question 8

What is the most common breed of rabbit used in research labs?

Answer 8

New Zealand White

Question 9

How to rabbits thermoregulate?

Answer 9

Long, vascular ears allow for blood vessels to dilate and allow greater blood flow if overheating. The air circulating around the ears cools the blood as it flows through the ears and back into the body.

Question 10

What is the scientific name for rabbits?

Answer 10

Oryctolagus cuniculus

Question 11

True or False: When holding a rabbit by the scruff of the neck, its hindquarters should always be supported.

Answer 11

True

Question 12

Female rabbits are known as ______ _______, meaning that they ovulate ___ - ___ hours after mating (don’t ovulate before mating)

Answer 12

induced ovulators; 10-12 hrs

Question 13

What are 4 anatomical characteristics of lab rabbits?

Answer 13

Peg teeth (malocclusion), light skeleton, muscular hind limbs, long vascular ears

Question 14

A male rabbit is called a ______ and a female is called a ______.

Answer 14

Male = buck, female = doe

Question 15

What precaution should be taken when placing an ear tag on a rabbit?

Answer 15

Avoid the central ear artery

Question 16

What is the best method to remove an aggressive rabbit from it’s cage?

Answer 16

Throw a drape (or 2) over the rabbit and scoop it out of the cage.

Question 17

What are “peg teeth”?

Answer 17

a set of small incisors behind the upper front incisors

Question 18

Why do rabbits ingest night feces?

Answer 18

To recycle protein, B vitamins, and water

Question 19

One of the first things to check if a rabbit stops eating is the:

Answer 19

water supply

Question 20

What is the ideal room temperature for rabbits that reduces shedding and the development of hairballs?

Answer 20

61 - 72 F

Question 21

A rabbit’s skeleton makes up __% of its body weight.

Answer 21

8%

Question 22

True or False: Female rabbits do not have a true estrous cycle.

Answer 22

True

Question 23

True or False: Normal urine for the rabbit varies from clear, to red, to yellow.

Answer 23

True

Question 24

True or False: when manually restraining a rabbit, failure to support the hindquarters and back can result in injury to the handler and the rabbit.

Answer 24

True

Question 25

True or False: rabbits can be fed ad libitum because they rarely overeat.

Answer 25

False; they should be fed measured quantities of food once per day

Question 26

What does it indicate when a rabbit stomps its feet?

Answer 26

The rabbit is unhappy

Question 27

Name 2 edible enrichment items and 2 inedible enrichment items often given to rabbits

Answer 27

Edible: carrots, kale, broccoli, other veggies
Inedible: hard plastic balls, chains with metal pendants, nylon chew bones, chew blocks, and pineapple sticks

Question 28

What is the best method to euthanize a rabbit?

Answer 28

Overdose of barbituates

Question 29

Why should antibiotics only be given to rabbits sparingly?

Answer 29

Antibiotics may destroy the rabbit’s gut flora, which can be fatal

Question 30

What is the term for the fold of skin under a female rabbit’s neck?

Answer 30

Dewlap

Question 31

What item should be provided in the cage before a female gives birth?

Answer 31

A nestbox