rabbit and guinea pig nutrition Flashcards
1
Q
what is the ideal diet (proportions) for a rabbit
A
- 80-85% hay
- 10% leafy green veg
- 5% complete pellets (25g/kg/24hours)
2
Q
why are grass and hay good for rabbits
A
- high in fibre
- moderate protein
- contains trace minerals
- low fat starch and sugar
- course and covered in silicas (abrasive for dental wear)
- ensure gut motlity to prevent stasis
- support health BCS
enrichment
3
Q
what might you find on a clinical exam that would lead you to beleive a rabbit is overweight
A
- male rabbit with a dewlap or a female rabbit with a huge dewlap
- obese rabbits may have fatty pads on their shoulders, legs and groins
- large pot bellies indicate a problem (should be able to feel their ribs under a firm layer of muscle)
- if they look wider than they are long (fatties)
- cant clean around back end and get myiasis
4
Q
how do you calculate energy intake requirements for rabbits
A
maintenance = 100kcal x (bodyweight) ^0.75
- growth x 2.0
- gestation x2.0
- lactation x3
- consider illness/injury factor
5
Q
should you give museli to rabbits
A
no - encourages selective feeding
6
Q
discuss how rabbits handle calcium
A
- rabbits cannot down regulate calcium absorption from the gut
- instead calcium is excreted vy kidneys
- excessive dietary calcium can lead to uroliths
- defeciency = skeletal and dental defects made worse if alos accompanied by vitamin D deficiency
