Rabbits

Question 1

Describe the taxonomy of rabbits

Answer 1

Order = Lagomorpha
Family = Leporidae

Question 2

Describe the key anatomical/ physiological features of the head of a rabbit

Answer 2

• large pinnae
• large protuberant eyes
• cleft lip
• twitchy nose
• vibrissae
• specialised dentition

Question 3

How are blood samples taken in rabbits?

Answer 3

• Marginal ear vein

- Central auricular artery- ONLY used for specific arterial sample/ larger sample

Question 4

Describe some key features of rabbit eyes

Answer 4

• nictitating membrane
• harderian gland
• 1 ventral lacrimal punture- drains into nasolacrimal duct

Question 5

Which does the harderian gland produce?

Answer 5

Stable tear film

Question 6

Why may issues be caused by the route of the nasolacrimal duct?

Answer 6

Huge teeth roots = 2 points of narrowing prone to blockage

Question 7

Rabbits have merangiotic retina + no tapetum- what does this mean when doing an ophthalmic exam?

Answer 7

need to direct light upwards

Question 8

What is the meaning of ‘merangiotic’?

Answer 8

Having blood vessels localised to a particular area of the retina

Question 9

Name the additional extraocular muscle of rabbits- what does it do?

Answer 9

depressor palpebrae- helps eye to close

Question 10

What type of teeth do rabbits have?

Answer 10

• Hypsodont- high crowned teeth + enamel extend past gumline

- Aradicular/ elodont- never form true roots

Question 11

What is the dental formula of rabbits?

Answer 11

I 2/1 C 0/0 P 3/2 M 3/3

Question 12

Name the second maxillary incisor that rabbits have

Answer 12

peg teeth

Question 13

Describe the rate of growth of incisors compared to cheek teeth

Answer 13

Incisor = 3mm/ wk
Cheek = 3mm/ mth

Question 14

Describe the stages of the development of chronic dental disease in rabbits

Answer 14

• high CHO/ low fibre diet results in reduced tooth wear + elongation of crowns = occlusion of cheek teeth at rest
• mouth forced open- retrograde pressure forces apices back into bone
• chewing becomes difficult + anatomy is altered- up/ down rather than lateral movement

Question 15

What specific features of the rabbit mouth make it difficult to examine whilst conscious?

Answer 15

• Torus- strong muscle @ back of mouth
• small gape
• fleshy cheeks

Question 16

What anatomical structure means rabbits obligate nasal breathers?

Answer 16

epiglottis rostral to soft palette

Question 17

What is the typical respiratory rate of rabbits?

Answer 17

30-60 bpm

Question 18

Rabbits have a small thoracic cavity- how does this affect the respiratory system?

Answer 18

• high chest wall compliance
• low functional residual capacity
• diaphragmatic contraction drives breathing

Question 19

What is the typical HR of rabbits?

Answer 19

150-300 bpm

Question 20

What is the systolic blood pressure of rabbits?

Answer 20

90-135 mmHg

Question 21

What is the total blood volume of rabbits?

Answer 21

50-75 ml/kg

Question 22

Name the venupuncture sites of rabbits

Answer 22

Jugular, lateral saphenous, cephalic, marginal ear vein

Question 23

What is the most important part of a rabbit?

Answer 23

Digestive tract

Question 24

Describe the key features of the digestive tract

Answer 24

• large stomach (15% GI tract volume)
• huge caecum
• hind gut fermenters

Question 25

Name the 4 pairs of salivary glands of rabbits

Answer 25

• Parotid
• Sublingual
• Zygomatic
• Mandibular

Question 26

Describe the anatomy of the stomach

Answer 26

• L of midline
• thin- walled
• J-shaped
• well developed cardiac sphincter = no vomiting

Question 27

What does the small intestine secrete + what does it do?

Answer 27

Motilin

• stimulates motility in SI, colon + rectum
• released in response to far + inhibited by CHO

Question 28

Where does the terminal ileum end?

Answer 28

Sacculus rotundus

Question 29

Where is the sacculus rotundus located + what is it composed of?

Answer 29

• junction b/w colon + caecum

- composed of lymphoid tissue

Question 30

Where does the caecum end?

Answer 30

vermiform appendix

Question 31

Name the 3 subsections of the proximal colon

Answer 31

• 3x haustra/ sacculations
• 1x haustra
• fusus coli

Question 32

Why does the proximal colon have 3 subsections?

Answer 32

regulates passage of food into distal colon + separates hard from soft faeces

Question 33

What occurs in the caecum?

Answer 33

• Microorganisms perform fermentation- produce VFA

- Bacteria replicate = protein source

Question 34

Name the main VFA produced by caecal fermentation

Answer 34

acetate

Question 35

How are caecal contents expelled + how does this process benefit rabbits?

Answer 35

• Expelled as caecotrophs

- protein source + vitamin B/K

Question 36

Which system controls GI motility?

Answer 36

Autonomic Nervous System

Question 37

Which hormones regulate gut motility?

Answer 37

prostaglandin + motilin

Question 38

How does the presence of cellulose/ lignin in gut affect motility?

Answer 38

increases gut motility + reduces caecal retention time

Question 39

Describe the process of hard faeces formation

Answer 39

• contractions in proximal colon separate indigestible particles from liquid
• indigestible components move to lumen centre
• hard pellets form

Question 40

Describe the process of soft faeces formation

Answer 40

• smaller particles + liquid move into peripheral lumen
• antiperistalysis returns to caecum
• caecum contracts to expel soft contents into proximal colon + move through distal colon w/o further absorption