Rabbits Flashcards
Rabbits are in which taxonomy order?
Lagomorpha
How long is a rabbits gestation length?
30-33 days
At what age do rabbits reach sexual maturity?
16 weeks
Which vessels are found in a rabbits ears?
Marginal ear vein
Central auricular artery
Where are the rabbits blind spots?
Tip of nose and directly behind them
In Rabbits what often leads to eye issues?
Underlying dental disease
Dacryocystitis - cheek teeth elongation due to dental disease, causing problems with nasolacrimal duct
What is the name of the additional extraocular muscle that rabbits have?
Depressor palpebrae
Do rabbits have brachydont or hypsodont teeth?
Hypsodont
What is a rabbits dental formula?
I 2/1, C 0/0, PM 3/2, M 3/3 = 28
Describe the sequence of events that leads to dental disease in rabbits
- High CHO, low fibre diet results in reduced tooth wear and elongation of the crown
- Leads to occlusion of cheek teeth, which puts pressure on crowns
- Mouth is forced open resulting in retrograde pressure forcing apices of teeth back into bone
- Chewing becomes different, up and down rather than side to side
- Causes enamel spurs
- Incisor teeth begin to wear incorrectly causing malocclusion and elongation
Are rabbits obligate nasal breathers?
Yes
What is a rabbits resting RR?
30-60 bpm
What drives breathing in a rabbit?
Diaphragmatic contraction
Describe the lobulation of rabbit lungs
Left = Cranial, middle and caudal lobes Right = Cranial, middle, caudal and accessory lobes
Why is intubation of a rabbit challenging?
- Long tongue
- Small glottis
- Narrow oropharynx
- Laryngospasm
Where are the 4 venupuncture sites on a rabbit?
Jugular vein
Lateral saphenous vein
Cephalic vein
Marginal ear vein
Describe the rabbits digestive system in the mouth to stomach
- Hindgut fermenters
- Highly efficient food converters
- Fibre essential for gut health
- Grinding action of cheek teeth begins digestion
- Amylase rich saliva
- Well developed cardiac sphincter so no vomiting
- pH of 1-2 in the stomach
What enzyme is secreted in the small intestine, what is its role?
Motilin
- stimulates motility (doesn’t affect caecum)
- Released in response to fat
- Inhibited by carbohydrate
The terminal ileum ends in which structure?
Sacculus rotundus (lymph tissue)
The caecum ends in which structure?
Vermiform appendix (lymph tissue)
What is the name of the terminal portion of the rabbits proximal colon? What is its function?
Fusus coli - regulates passage into distal colon, separates hard and soft faeces
The hindgut consists of which 3 structures?
Caecum, proximal colon and distal colon
Describe hindgut fermentation in the rabbit
- In the caecum micro-organisms perform fermentation, producing VFAs (main one = acetate)
- Caecal contents are expelled as caecotrophs which are eaten from the anus
- Caecal pellet protected from stomach by mucus covering
- Digestion of pellet delivers protein to animal
Which part of the nervous system controls the rabbits gut motility?
Anterior nervous system
Which hormones help control gut motility?
Motilin and prostaglandin
After birth how long is it until rabbits can rebreed?
They can do it immediately
What type of ovulators are rabbits?
Induced ovulators - the act of mating induces ovulation
What is the name given to a Male, female and young rabbit?
Buck
Doe
Kit
How and when are rabbits sexed?
At weaning: 5-8 weeks
Male rabbit - no nipples
Does a rabbit have an os penis?
No - sits within rounded penile sheath
At what age in rabbits do the testes descend into the scrotal sacs?
10-14 weeks
From what age in rabbits can castration be carried out?
12 weeks
What are the benefits of castrating rabbits?
- reduce aggression and fighting
- allow housing of males and females
- prevents unwanted pregnancy
- makes litter training easier
- allows safe pair bonding
Does a female rabbit have a duplex or bicornuate uterus?
Duplex
What are the benefits of spaying female rabbits?
Prevent pseudopregnancy Reduced aggression Negates risk of uterine pyometra Reduces risk of mammary tumours Population control
What is normal to see on a red blood cell smear in rabbits?
Anisocytosis - RBCs that are unequal in size
Polychromasia - the presentation of multicolored red blood cells
What is the most common circulating leucocyte in rabbits?
Lymphocytes
Why might the lifestyle of a domestic rabbit make them prone to fractures and osteoporosis?
- overfeeding
- low calcium diet
- reduced exposure to sunlight
- less exercise
What is the vertebral formula of a rabbit?
C7, T12, L7, S4, Cd 16
How many digits are on a rabbits forelimb and hindlimb?
Forelimb = 5 Hindlimb = 4
Describe a rabbits skin
Very thin and elastic
What are the 3 rabbit hair types?
- long guard hairs
- short guard hairs
- undercoat
What are the 4 rabbit fur types?
- satin
- rex
- wool
- normal
What are the 3 rabbit scent glands?
Anal
Inguinal
Submental - under chin
How does a rabbit deal with its calcium intake?
All calcium is absorbed through the gut, it is then dealt with and excreted by the kidney
In rabbits normal urine colour varies from…?
pale yellow to dark red - dietary dependent
What is the pH of rabbit urine?
8-9 alkaline
