rabbits and guinea pigs

Question 1

Answer 1

rex
- have velvety fur and curly whiskers

Question 2

Answer 2

dutch

Question 3

Answer 3

Lop
- ears flop down

Question 4

Answer 4

lionhead

Question 5

Answer 5

giant rabbit

Question 6

Answer 6

english spot

Question 7

Answer 7

abyssian
- swirls of fur pattern

Question 8

Answer 8

coronet

Question 9

Answer 9

english cavy

Question 10

Answer 10

crested

Question 11

Answer 11

rex
rough wiry fur

Question 12

Answer 12

peruvian

Question 13

describe husbandry requirements of rabbits

Answer 13

• 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

Question 14

describe husbandry requirements of guinea pigs

Answer 14

• 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

Question 15

describe diet requirements of rabbit

Answer 15

• 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)

Question 16

describe diet requirements of guinea pigs

Answer 16

• 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

Question 17

list welfare concerns of rabbits and guinea pigs

Answer 17

• solitary living (rely on eachother for grooming, can become depressed)
• poor breeding (in rabbits, leads to dental malocclusions, narrow ear canals, brachycephalic)

Question 18

list physiological parameters of rabbits

Answer 18

T: 38.5-40
P: 130-325
R: 30-60
gestation: 29-35 days

Question 19

list physiological parameters for guinea pigs

Answer 19

T: 37.5-39.5
P:230-380
R: 40-120
gestation: 59-72 days

Question 20

list common husbandry related diseases of the rabbit and guinea pig

Answer 20

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