Rabbit GI System Flashcards
1
Q
What is the Digestive Physiology of Rabbits?
A
- Herbivorous
- GI system combines simple stomach w/ hindgut cecal fermentation
- Transit time ~3-6hrs
- Dietary fiber stimulates gut motility
- Teeth developed for high-fiber diet
- Chewing w/ 120 jaw movements/min w/ lateral motion
- Peristalsis propels high fiber particles through colon quickly ⇢ firm pellets
- Fine low fiber particles travel backwards from colon to cecum
- In the cecum, small particles and fluid ⇢ fermentation ⇢ volatile FA, etc
- This fermentation vat is where millions of gut bacteria digest the indigestible
2
Q
Describe the GI anatomy of rabbits?
A
- Large abdominal cavity
- GI tract is long (10-20% BW)
- Stomach contains 15% of the ingesta
- Cardia and pylorus well developed
- Unable to vomit
- Pylorus easily compressed by duodenum
- Small intestines are 12% of GI volume
- Ileum ends at cecum, where it is expanded (sacculus rotundus)
- Large, thin-walled cecum holds ≥40% of ingesta
- Most prominent organ of abdominal cavity
- Sacculations and bands
- Contains Bacterioides, protozoa, and some Clostrium, etc
3
Q
What does the diet of a rabbit consist of
A
- Fiber (≥15-16% CF) promotes motility
- Provides large particle size ⇢ lattice-like ball ⇢ permits gastric acid penetration and digestion
- Pelleted diet (13-18% crude protein)
- Feed:
- Premium high fiber hay (>70%)
- High fiver uniform pellet (<25%)
- Fresh greens (<5%) daily
- Treats (<5%) - low sugar, high fiber treats (several times a week)
- Fresh clean water
4
Q
What are Cecotrophs?
A
- Specialized fecal pellets produced in cecum
- Contain 2x protein, ⇡ volatile FA, ⇡ B vitamins, and ⇣fiber of usual fecal pellets
- Cecotrophy is particularly important for efficient digestion of forage protiens
- pH of stomach is <2.0 which may neutralize bacterial ingested with cecotrophs
5
Q
What would High energy, low fiber diets lead to in rabbits?
A
- Increase susceptibility to mucoid enteropathy and other enteric diseases
- Low-fiber:
- ⇣ intestinal motility
- Prolong cecal retention time
- Reduce feed intake
- Predispose to diarrhea
- May change normal flora
6
Q
What do high fiber diets do for rabbits?
A
- Stimulate normal digestion, absorption, peristalsis and excretion
7
Q
What are the problems High Carbohydrate diets may cause in rabbits?
A
- Excessive glucose allow Clostridium spp. and E. coli to proliferate
- Results in excess VFA’s ⇢ lower cecal pH ⇢ inhibits normal flora ⇢ proliferation of pathogens ⇢ production of gas and toxins
- High carb diets inhibit release of motilin ⇢ further slowing GI motility
8
Q
What changes occur in the GI pH when rabbits mature?
A
- Gastric pH changes from 5.0-6.5 in neonate to 1.0-1.9 weanling/adults
- bunnies can take probiotics
9
Q
What are the functions of the gut microorganisms in rabbits?
A
- Contains bacteria, some yeast, fungi, and protazoa
- Provides capability to digest food items (energy)
- Some bacteria may confer some immunity
- Management can influence the multibiome
- Need to know which external factors can have adverse affect on gut flora
10
Q
What Grass Hays are fed to rabbits
A
- Timothy
- Most popular and readily available in pet stores
- long strand fiber source
- Low in protein, calcium, and energy
- Harvested 2-3 times a year depending on climate
- Orchard
- Nutritionally similar to timothy
- Soft texture w/ sweet smell and taste
- High palatability to many small herbivores
- Oat
11
Q
What is Alfalfa?
A
- Legume family, not a grass
- Higher protein, calcium, and energy
- Feeding Recommendations:
- young, growing animals
- Treat in adult animals
- Appetite stimulant in senior animals
12
Q
What is hay fiber?
A
- Hays made up of 2 types of fiber:
- Indigestible fiber (larger particles) for proper gut motility
- Digestible (fermentable) fiber (smaller particles) provides essential nutrients for cecum and for normal bacterial flora
13
Q
What are the Psychological Benefits of Hay?
A
- Encourages natural behaviors
- Stimulates foraging and grazing
- Mentally stimulating
- Decreases boredom-based negative behaviors
- Increases activity
- Provides sense of security
- A Pet that lives an enriched life is healthier, happier pet
14
Q
What are causes of Rabbit Gastrointestinal Syndrome? (RGIS)
A
- Low-fiber diet
- Small pyloric sphincter
- Inability to vomit
- Myoelectrical initiation of peristalsis occurs in duodenum or jejunum
- Excessive grooming
- dehydration
- Stress
- Pain
- Disease
- GI blockage
15
Q
What are the clinical signs of RGIS
A
- Gut stasis
- can be panful and potentially fatal
- Interstitial fluid flows into gut ⇢ dehydration
- Reduction in absorption of electrolytes ⇢ electrolyte derangement
- Anorexia
- Oligodipsia
- Production of very small (or no) fecal pellets (rarely diarrhea)
- Depression +/-
- Weight loss +/-
- Pain (hunched over, tooth grinding, abdominal tenderness)
- abnormal intestinal sounds
- Acute Pyloric obstruction ⇢ depression, bloating (intensely painful), dehydration, hypothermia, shock
- Death - accompanied by hepatic lipidosis +/- clostridial overgrowth
