Rabbits Flashcards
In general, What can help reduce the stress of most prey animals in clinic
Clean clothing (no smell of predators such as cats or dogs)
Keep in a separate, quiet areas away from noises of predators
Rabbits belong to class mammalia, order ____, family ____ (not rodents)
Order Lagomorpha
Family leporidae
Describe the teeth of rabbits
Incisors and molars Grow continuously throughout life
They have 2 lower incisors and 4 upper incisors (2 large ones in the front and 2 small “peg teeth” behind them)
Upper arcade: missing 03-05 and go to 11
Lower arcade: missing 02-06 and go to 11
Describe the respiratory system of rabbits
Primarily nasal breathers (very poor mouth breathers)
Small thoracic cavity and there fire lungs and heart
Do not breathe well on backs
Describe the digestive system of rabbits
Large abdominal cavity
Very acidic stomach (pH 1.2-1.5)
Very long intestines, large cecum (hind gut fermenters)
Physically unable to vomit
What are cecotrophs
AKA night feces
Come from the cecum held together in bunches by secretions from the cecum
These are packed full of nutrients and are essential for overall health
These also help repopulate gut flora
Describe the musculoskeletal system of rabbits
Fragile skeleton prone to fractures
Very strong musculature of the hind limbs and back (they can break their own back during a struggle in restraint and kicking)
Describe the reproductive system of rabbits
Open inguinal rings, testes descend about 12 weeks of age
Very difficult to sex when young
No uterine body: 2 cervices and 2 uterine horns
What is the rabbits sexual maturity age? What type of ovulators are they?
Sexual maturity: 4-7 months of age
Induced ovulators
What is the gestation period of rabbits? How are rabbits born? How often do the young nurse?
Gestation: 29-35 days
Born naked and helpless (altricial) (hares are precocial)
Young’s nurse only 2-3 times/day (hares only once)
Describe the urine of rabbits
Very alkaline urine
Calcium carbonate crystals are a normal finding
What is the average lifespan of rabbits
5-10 years
What are some common disease and problems found in rabbits
Snuffles GI stasis dental Malocclusions Jaw and tooth root abscesses Urolithiasis Uterine adenocarcinoma Fur mites Pododermatitis Oral antibiotic reactions Enterotoxemia
What is snuffles in rabbits
Respiratory disease (nasal and ovule discharge) caused by pasteurella virus
Difficult to treat and reoccurrence is often
Describe GI stasis in rabbits
Gut slows down/stops working
Stomach palpation feels “doughy” -dehydrated contents, hair balls from grooming a lot
No feces is seen, don’t eat
Rehydrate (SQ and oral fluids)
Force feeding a slurry mixture (stimulates peristalsis)
Pain meds (painful)
Exercise (stimulates movement of internal structures)
Describe common dental problems seen in rabbits
Teeth grow continuously, if not worn down they over grow and can cause ulcerations/laceration in the mouth and anorexia due to reluctance to eat (can lead to GI stasis)
May have a genetic component
Upper cheek teeth may grow laterally, lower cheek teeth may grow medically (uneven wear results in sharp edges of the teeth and cause damage to the mouth -like seen in horses)
Describe examination of the mouth in rabbits
Best observed with an otoscope and light
Look at alignment of the teeth as well as the cheeks and tongue
If the incisors are abnormal, most likely there is an issue with the cheek teeth
Describe jaw/tooth abscesses seen in rabbits
Pus is very thick/caseous (buttery/cheese)
More challenging to treat abscesses (they don’t drain, the capsule is thick and meds don’t reach it easily)
Extraction of the affected tooth, surgical draining/debridement and antibiotics is needed
Describe Urolithiasis in rabbits
Stones/sludge is common
First signs: blood in the urine
Due to diet, obesity or limited exercise
Diagnosis: radiographs, UA
Treatment: surgery, expressing bladder, remove material
Describe uterine adenocarcinoma in rabbits
Tumor/cancer in the uterus
Very common (>90% if left unspayed)
Much less common in active breeders
Describe fur mites in rabbits
“Walking dandriff”
Cheyletiella mites
Potential zoonotic
Describe pododermatitis in rabbits
Similar to bumble foot in birds
Painful, ulcerated dermatitis on weight bearing surface of rabbits feet
Prevention: Soft bedding, enough space and weight management
Typically protection comes from the very thick fur on the back of the legs (DONT clip this fur and clean it often)
Difficult to treat and can be severe (always on their feet)
Can lead to infections
What medications should you avoid using in rabbits
Rabbits are very sensitive to many oral antibiotics
Avoid oral penicillins, cephalosporins, erthromycin, clindamycin, linconycin
Some of these can be injected
If oral meds they should be liquid
describe antibiotic associated diarrhea (enterotoxemia) as a result of oral antibiotics in rabbits
From clostridia overgrowth (clostridium dificile) (produces a toxin)
Severe watery often hemorrhagic diarrhea
Can be fatal
Treat with metronidazole if caught early
Describe general housing husbandry for rabbits
Easily environmental stressed: keep visual and olfactory stimuli to a minimum
Need protection from the heat/cold (especially heat intolerant) keep area around 40-80 F
Space: absolute minimum 3x the length of the rabbit (3 hop rule)
Either NO wire bottom or at least an areas with a wire bottom (clean but reduces access to cecotrophs and causes pododermatitis)
Should be a tall enough cage for them to stand on hind legs
Need a hiding area/box/hole
Constant access to food, water and hay
Can be Litter box trained
True or false
Rabbits can be extremely territorial
True
Known to fight especially with pairings
Bunnies are easily injured due to they fragile and inflexible spine, and extremely powerful musculature, how should you hold them
Very securely and ALWAYS support hind end
Hold close to the body with the head tucked under your arm if nervous
How should you remove a rabbit from its cage
One hand underneath grasping the hind legs and the other hand holding/supporting front legs
True or false
You can scruff a rabbit
FALSE
never scruff or hole by the ears
How should you return a rabbit to its cage
Place in backwards (face towards you) to decrease danger of kicking out/ bolting
What is one way to reduce stress in a rabbit when holding
Covering its eyes
Why should you NOT tap a rabbits nose as a distraction method
Obligate nose breathers
Causes aggression/avoidance/distress
How are medications often given to rabbits
Per os
Can mix with fruit juice or purée
Avoid IM if possible (will chew at the back)
If you have to use IM use the quadriceps muscle
How is urine collected from rabbits
Cystocentesis -no sedation required
Catheterization -no sedation required
Sitting posture for males or sternal recumbency for females
What helps prevent injuries and stress during radiographs with rabbits
Sedation
Describe fluid therapy for rabbits
IV: cephalic vein
IO: greater tubercle of humerus (for severe dehydration)
E collars are often needed to prevent chewing on the catheter/line
Explain general anesthesia and sedation in rabbits
More challenging than other mammals
Mask down to induce (very sensitive to odour of inhaled anesthetics)
Likely to hold their breath (slow/calculated induction will reduce this)
Difficult intubation (repeated attempts not recommended)
Nasal intubation is an option but not commonly used
What are some general things to know before collecting blood from rabbits
Collect no more than 1% of body weight
Skin is easily torn -pluck don’t shave hair
Veins have tube walls and are very fragile (hematomas easily form)
Use a 25-27G heparinized needle
Can use no needle and drip into tube
Sedation is often a good choice to reduce stress and get enough for a sample
Describe the various areas of blood collection in rabbits
Lateral saphenous or cephalic: easy access and minimal stress
Marginal ear vein and central ear artery: difficult to get, increased risk of causing hematoma and necrosis, avoid using
Jugular: stressful due to restraint, sedation is likely needed
For very small amounts you could quick a nail
