Rabbits

Question 1

What is the dental formula of rabbits?

Answer 1

I2/1, C0/0, PM3/2, M3/3

Question 2

Describe the movement of food through a rabbit’s digestive system

Answer 2

Chew food, mixes with saliva, travels down the oesophagus to the stomach.
Then it moves into the small intestine where some digestion and absorption of proteins and some starches and sugars occurs.
Then a residue high fibre content is passed to the large intestine (consists of a large caecum and colon).
The large indigestible fibres pass through the colon and are excreted as hard round droppings.
The small soluble particles, which are to be recycled, pass into the large caecum and undergo fermentation by bacteria. They are to be absorbed in the small intestine, but they are past this so they need to be excreted and eaten again.

Question 3

Describe Caecatrophs

Answer 3

Mucus coated to protect from stomach acid
Green, softer than other poos
Made up of vitamins and microbial protein

Question 4

What is the maintenance energy requirement of a rabbit?

Answer 4

Energy required to keep them at the same body weight

= 100kcal x BW^0.75 per day

Question 5

What is the formula for a growth diet for a rabbit?

Answer 5

190-210kcal x BW^0.75 per day

Question 6

What is the formula for the gestation onset and end in a rabbit?

Answer 6

Onset
= (maintenance + 1/3) or (135kcal x BW^0.75)
End
= (maintenance x 2) or (200kcal x BW^0.75)

Question 7

What is the formula for feeding a lactating rabbit?

Answer 7

300kcal x BW^0.75

Question 8

Describe a rabbits ideal diet

Answer 8

Constant access to grass or good quality hay
Commercial pellet diet or extruded mix
Water ad lib
Vegetables (kale, broccoli, sprouts, cabbage)

Question 9

What are the nutritional requirements of young rabbits (in terms of percentage)

Answer 9

Protein 16-18%
Fat 3%
Fibre 16-18%

Question 10

What are the nutritional requirements of Adult rabbits (in terms of percentage)

Answer 10

Protein 12-14%
Fat 1%
Fibre 20%