rabbits and guinea pigs Flashcards
rex
- have velvety fur and curly whiskers
dutch
Lop
- ears flop down
lionhead
giant rabbit
english spot
abyssian
- swirls of fur pattern
coronet
english cavy
crested
rex
rough wiry fur
peruvian
describe husbandry requirements of rabbits
- RSPCA absolute minimum for 2 rabbits
- somewhere enclosed to hide/sleep and somewhere to exercise
- be able to stand up on their hind legs without their ears touching the toof, lie fully outstretched in any direction, take 3 consequtive hops in each spect of their housing
describe husbandry requirements of guinea pigs
- RSPCA minimum for a pair of guinea pigs should have enclosure of 2mx0.5mx25 cm but ideally larger
- should be given tunnels to hide in
- draught proof, with good shade and ventilation
- material must be chew resistant
- toilet area miust have absorbant substrate materials and medding must be dust free
- cleaned daily
- kept in pairs but thrive in bigger groups
describe diet requirements of rabbit
- herbivores
- metabolise calcium different so important to not feed rabbits excess calcium
- hind gut fermenters with continuously growing teeth so need a lot of fibre for good gut and dental health
- ideally feed 85% hay, 10% veggies, 5% pellets (NOT muse)
describe diet requirements of guinea pigs
- herbivores
- hindgut fermenters with constantly growing teeth so need lots of fibre
- avoid alfalafa and veggies high in calcium
- cannot synthesise own vitamin C so rely on diet for it!
- ideally give 85% hay, 12%veggie, 3%pellet
list welfare concerns of rabbits and guinea pigs
- solitary living (rely on eachother for grooming, can become depressed)
- poor breeding (in rabbits, leads to dental malocclusions, narrow ear canals, brachycephalic)
list physiological parameters of rabbits
T: 38.5-40
P: 130-325
R: 30-60
gestation: 29-35 days
list physiological parameters for guinea pigs
T: 37.5-39.5
P:230-380
R: 40-120
gestation: 59-72 days
list common husbandry related diseases of the rabbit and guinea pig
Incorrect diet:
- dental disease leading to gut stasis
- obestiy leading to arthritis and bladder disease
- excessive dietary calcium leading to bladder disease
- hypovitaminosis C leading to swollen joints and pain
small enclosures:
- lack of movement leading to arthritis and bladder disease
- poor ventilation leading to resp infections
- poor hygeine leading to pododermatitis and fly strike
