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Rabbits 1 Flashcards

1
Q

What is the order and family of rabbits?

A

Order = Lagomorpha
Family = Leproidae

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2
Q

What is the normal range of lifespan of rabbits?

A

5-10 years

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3
Q

What is the normal range of heart rate of rabbits?

A

150 - 300 bpm

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4
Q

What is the normal range of respiratory range of rabbits?

A

30 - 60 brpm

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5
Q

What is the normal range for rectal temperature of rabbits?

A

38.5 - 40 degrees Celsius

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6
Q

At what age do rabbits reach sexual maturity?

A

16 weeks

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7
Q

What is the gestation period of a rabbit?

A

30 - 33 days

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8
Q

What is the pH of rabbit urine?

A

8-9

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9
Q

Is a rabbit a carnivore, omnivore, insectivore or herbivore?

A

Herbivore

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10
Q

Describe specialisations of the head of a rabbit.

A

Large erect pinnae (ears)
Large protuberant eyes
Cleft lip - split up to nose
Twitchy nose - not used for respiration
Vibrissae (whiskers)
Specialised dentition

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11
Q

What are the rabbits ears useful for?

A

Thermoregulation
Funnelling sound - can rotate 270 degrees

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12
Q

What are the main blood vessels in the rabbit ear?

A

Marginal ear vein (lateral)
Central auricular artery (medial)

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13
Q

Which vessel would we use for blood sampling a rabbit? Why is the other artery not used?

A

Marginal ear vein.
Arteries have high blood pressure and are prone to haemotoma. It can be used but only for a very large sample.

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14
Q

What are specialised features of the eyes of rabbits?

A

Have a third eyelid.
Have a Harderian gland which produces a very stable tear film.
Single ventral lacrimal puncture, draining into nasolacrimal duct (just inside medial canthus).

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15
Q

Where are the rabbits blind spots?

A

Very tip of the nose
Directly behind them.

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16
Q

What feature of rabbits eyes mean they are at high risk of trauma?

A

Protuberant eyes

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17
Q

What often leads to eye issues in rabbits?

A

Underlying dental disease

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18
Q

Why does the course of the nasolacrimal duct often cause problems?

A

It runs very close to the apices of cheek teeth

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19
Q

Describe the retina of a rabbit.

A

Merangiotic. Blood vessels just go laterally. Part of the retina does not have blood vessels. This means you have to look upwards when performing an eye exam.

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20
Q

What technique would you use to minimise risk of haemorrhage when performing enucleation in rabbits?

A

Large retrobulbar venous plexus (orbital venous sinus) - cuts into if it bleeds lots.
Use transconjunctival technique

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21
Q

What is the term used for a rabbits eyes that become more protuberant looking?

A

Exopathlmos

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22
Q

Do rabbits have a tapetum?

A

No

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23
Q

What is unique about the extra ocular muscles of rabbits eyes?

A

They have an additional extraocular muscle called the depressor palpebrae (closes eyes)

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24
Q

What muscle can be used to stabilise the globe during surgery in rabbits?

A

Rectus dorsalis muscle (posterior to limbus under lobular conjunctiva)

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25
What is found outside the extra ocular muscles in rabbits?
The large retrobulbar venous sinus
26
In rabbits, what vessel is drainage from the eyes via?
External jugular
27
What is the dental formula of the rabbit?
I 2/1, C 0/0, P 3/2, M 3/3
28
What is unique about the maxillary incisors of rabbits?
Only one is visible. There is a peg tooth sitting inside the front teeth.
29
Describe the dentition of rabbits.
Hypsodont teeth Reserve crown, enamel extends below the gumline Aradicular/elodont (open rooted/no true root)
30
In rabbits, what is the rate of eruption for incisors and cheek teeth?
Incisors = approximately 3mm/week Cheek teeth = approximately 3mm/month
31
What are common results of dental disease in pet rabbits?
Overgrown incisors Cause issues for nostrils or roof of mouth Usually secondary to cheek teeth disease
32
Outline the sequence of events which leads to the development of chronic dental disease in the rabbit.
High CHO/low fibre diet results in reduced tooth wear and elongation of the crowns of the teeth. This leads to occlusion of the cheek teeth at rest, which puts pressure on the crowns. As this continues the mouth is forced open resulting in retrograde pressure forcing apices of teeth back into bone (bony swelling develop on mandible). Chewing becomes difficult and anatomy of chewing is altered - up and down rather than side to side movement. This results in formation of enamel spurs. As jaw forced apart, incisor teeth also begin to wear incorrectly and we then also see incisor malocclusion and elongation.
33
Which features make it difficult to fully examine the mouth of a conscious rabbit?
Fleshy cheek, small gape, tongue torus (additional bit of tongue muscle)
34
Describe the nose twitching in rabbits.
It is normal, even at rest (up to 150 twitches/min). Rate increases if rabbit interested in something or sometimes through anxiety
35
What adaptations do rabbits have on their nose to compensate for the sensitive blind spot?
They have sensitive pads on the nares Presence of vibrissae
36
How do rabbit breathe?
They are obligate nasal breathers If they are breathing through their nose, this usually means they're about to die.
37
Where is the epiglottis positioned in the rabbit?
Rostral to soft palate
38
Describe the volume of the thoracic cavity of rabbits.
Small thoracic cavity Tidal volume only 4-6ml/kg
39
What drives breathing in rabbits?
Diaphragmatic contraction drives breathing
40
Describe the chest wall of rabbits.
High chest wall compliance
41
Why do rabbits have to use tidal volume effectively?
They have a low functional residual capacity
42
How many lung lobes are found in the right lung of a rabbit and what are they called?
4 lobes Cranial, middle, caudal and accessory
43
How many lung lobes are found in the left lung of a rabbit and what are they called?
3 lobes Cranial, middle, caudal
44
What is unique about the thymus of a rabbit?
Thymus persists in the adult rabbit, found in the cranial mediastinum. Cranioventral to the heart and extends into the thoracic inlet.
45
What makes intubation difficult in rabbits?
Long tongue Small glottis Narrow oropharynx (large cheeks) Larygnospasm
46
What can be used for intubation of rabbits?
V gel tubes - sits over entrance to trachea and blocks oesophagus. Better than masks. No patent airway! Endotracheal tubes - best!
47
How much blood can we safely take from a rabbit?
Up to 10% of total blood volume (general rule). In one single occasion. Check if doing serial samples
48
What is the average total blood volume of a rabbit?
50 - 75 ml/kg Lower in obese and older animals
49
Describe the collateral circulation of rabbits.
Little collateral circulation No 'back up' vessels that can be used in case of blockage/damage.
50
What are the common venupuncture sites in rabbits?
Jugular Lateral saphenous Cephalic Marginal ear vein
51
Describe the digestive system of a rabbit.
They are hindgut fermenters with a large stomach and huge caecum.
52
What does dental disease in rabbits tend to occur secondary to?
Poor diet due to low fibre Fibre is essential for gut health (not digestible)
53
What is the difference between horses and rabbits digestive system?
Unlike horses, they do have a gall bladder
54
What does the strong tongue of a rabbit ensure?
All food is masticated prior to swallowing
55
What are the four pairs of salivary glands in rabbits called?
Parotid, sublingual, zygomatic, mandibular
56
Describe the saliva of rabbits.
Amylase rich saliva. It is released in response to presence of food in the mouth.
57
Describe the oesophagus of the rabbit.
Three layers of striated muscle. Extending all the way to the cardia of the stomach.
58
Where does the stomach lie in a rabbit?
Lies to left of midline. It's so big it takes up lots of space.
59
Describe the shape and anatomy of the stomach of the rabbit.
Thin walled and J shaped
60
What prevents rabbits from vomiting?
Well developed cardiac sphincter.
61
What is the pH of an adult rabbit's stomach?
1 - 2 Meaning the stomach and small intestine are practically sterile
62
What is the pH of a neonate rabbit's stomach?
5 - 6.5 Rely on the presence of antimicrobial substance
63
When is milk oil produced from and what is the function of it?
Milk oil is produced from 0 - 6 weeks. Reaction between the mothers milk and young's gut. Antimicrobial proteins are in the young's gut until bacteria is established. As the bacteria population increases, pH of the stomach decreases.
64
What percentage of the digestive tract volume does the rabbit's small intestine take up?
12%
65
What is the enzyme secreted by the small intestine in rabbits called? What is the function of it? What is it released in response to?
Motilin. It stimulates motility in small intestine, colon and rectum. It has no effect on caecum. Released in response to fat, inhibited by carbohydrate
66
What does the terminal ileum end in?
Sacculus rotundus Found at junction with colon and caecum. Sometimes called the caecal tonsil.
67
What type of tissue is the sacculus rotundus composed of?
Lymphoid
68
What does the hindgut of a rabbit consist of?
Caecum Proximal colon Distal colon
69
What percentage of the digestive tract volume does the rabbit's caecum take up?
40% Massive
70
What does the rabbit's caecum end in?
Vermiform appendix
71
Describe the proximal colon in a rabbit.
About 50cm 3 subsections - 3 sacculations, single haustra, fusus coli
72
What is the terminal portion of the proximal colon of a rabbit called and what is the function of it?
Fusus coli Regulates passage of ingest into distal colon Separates hard from soft faeces
73
Describe the distal colon in a rabbit.
90 cm No sacculations Long!
74
Which is the main volatile fatty acid produced by caecal fermentation in the rabbit?
Acetate (Followed by butyrate then propionate)
75
What forms a vital source of protein in the digestive system in the rabbit?
The bacteria replicating
76
What are caecal contents expelled as in rabbits?
Caecotrophs
77
What protects the caecal pellet from the stomach pH in rabbits?
Mucus covering
78
Why do rabbits eat and digest the caecal pellet?
Delivers protein to the rabbit
79
When considering the gut motility of rabbits, what condition is common and often fatal?
Derangement of the gastrointestinal tract
80
What controls the GI tract motility, particularly the fusus coli, in rabbits?
Autonomic Nervous System Hormonal control - motion/prostaglandin
81
In rabbits, what does the presence of indigestible fibre in the gut (cellulose and lignin) cause?
Encourages motility Reduces caecal retention time
82
Describe how hard faeces in rabbits are formed.
Contractions in proximal colon separate indigestible particles from liquid component. Indigestible contents move to centre of lumen, further water is absorbed. Hard pellets are produced.
83
Describe how soft faeces in rabbits are formed.
Smaller particles and liquid content move into peripheral lumen. Antiperistalysis returns them to caecum for further fermentation. Caecum contracts to expel soft contents into proximal colon, which then move rapidly through distal colon with no further absorption.
84
When are caecotrophs produced in rabbits?
They are produced about 8 hours post feeding
85
What do caecotrophs provide rabbits with a source of?
Protein - mainly (bacterial) Vitamin B Vitamin K
86
Describe how protein and fibre affect consumption of food in rabbits.
High protein, low fibre diet discourages consumption. High fibre, low protein diet encourages consumption.
87
Is diarrhoea common or uncommon in rabbits?
Uncommon

NSF (8 decks)

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