1
Q
What percentage of rabbits present to vet clinics primarily due to skin disorders?
A
30%
The most commonly reported conditions include pododermatitis, abscesses, alopecia, parasites, cutaneous masses, and moist dermatitis.
2
Q
What disease is commonly correlated with skin disease?
A
Orodental disease.
Rabbits with dental disease are 63x more likely to have skin disease.
This is postulated to be due to decreased nutrition and poor body condition, matting from drooling or other discharge, and decreased grooming in unthrifty or painful animals secondary to chronic dental disease and abscesses.
3
Q
How can you confirm the presence of fur chewing on skin biopsy in rabbits?
A
Fur chewing can be detected readily on skin biopsy by identification of normal, intact hair follicles and hair shafts that are broken off at the epithelial surface.
4
Q
What skin lesions can be seen in rabbits with severe vitamin B6 deficiency?
A
Thickening of the skin and ears with crusting, conjunctivitis, and alopecia, in conjunction with neurologic signs, such as seizures.
5
Q
Which of the following are common causes of behavioral alopecia?
A) boredom
B) low fiber diet
C) aggression
D) all of the above
A
D) all of the above
6
Q
What are possible causes of bilateral symmetric alopecia in intact does?
A
Ovarian or uterine disease, adrenal disease, hypothyroidism
7
Q
What are the most common bacterial organisms identified in rabbit abscesses?
A
- Staphylococcus aureusmost common
- Pasteurella multocida
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa
- Proteus sp.
- Bacteroides sp
- Fusobacterium sp.
- Streptococcus spp.
- Actinomyces sp.
- Arcanobacterium sp.
RARE: Francisella tularensis can cause cutaneous abscesses in wild cottontail rabbits
8
Q
What disorders are associated with S. aureus in rabbits?
A
suppurative dermatitis or cellulitis, mastitis (blue breast), pododermatitis (sore hocks), visceral abscessation, metritis, respiratory disease, conjunctivitis, and septicemia
9
Q
What is the causative agent of necrobacillosis or Schmorl’s disease in rabbits?
A
Fusobacterium necrophorum, a Gram-negative, anaerobic, non-motile, non-spore-forming, pleomorphic bacterium that is normally found within the gastrointestinal tract and feces of rabbits.
10
Q
How does Schmorl’s disease get transmitted in rabbits?
A
Fecal contamination of traumatized skin or oral lesions.
11
Q
What are potential clinical signs of Schmorl’s disease?
A
Lesions of mild exudative to deep necrosuppurative dermatitis with induration, erythema, and inflammation may appear around the head, face, neck, and feet. Necrotizing fasciitis, osteomyelitis, septicemia, thromboembolism, and visceral abscessation and necrosis have also been reported in chronic and severe cases.
12
Q
What does the presence of PAS-positive Splendore-Hoeppli material around dense multifocal aggregates of bacterial colonies (botryomycosis) indicate in rabbits?
A
Infection with S. aureus
13
Q
Describe the characteristics of Pseudomoniasis in rabbits
A
P. aeruginosa infections may produce moist or ulcerative dermatitis, or cutaneous or visceral abscesses. Moist dermatitis occurs most commonly on the face or forelimbs of animals with malocclusion and secondary ptyalism, and in animals that are maintained in wet housing conditions, or under the dewlap or between cutaneous folds in heavy rabbits. Moist dermatitis is characterized by serous to serosuppurative exudates with erythema, alopecia, and matting of hair around the lesion. Chronic lesions may ulcerate.
14
Q
What color can P. aeruginosa lesions turn and why?
A
The purulent debris and hair surrounding these lesions may be malodorous and have a characteristic bluish-green cast, caused by bacterial expression of pyocyanin, an exopigment and virulence factor.
15
Q
What is the causative agent of treponemiasis in rabbits?
A
Treponema paraluiscuniculi, a gram negative spirochete
16
Q
What type of infections does Pseudomonas aeruginosa cause?
A
Opportunistic
P. aeruginosa is an ubiquitous aerobic, non-spore-forming, Gram-negative, rod-shaped bacterium
17
Q
What makes P. aeruginosa difficult to eradicate and more likely to develop antibiotic resistance?
A
Prolific production of surface polysaccharides. These polysaccharides form biofilms that protect the bacteria from common disinfectants, inhibit antibiotic penetration, and in some cases, are linked to genes conferring antibiotic resistance.
18
Q
How long after exposure to treponemiasis do lesions develop?
A
Lesions develop 3–6 weeks following exposure
19
Q
Which of the following is false about treponemiasis?
A) it is zoonotic
B) disease occurs sporadically in breeding and pet rabbits
C) typical spirochetes may be seen with Warthjn-Starry stain
A
A) it is NOT zoonotic
20
Q
How is Trepomena paraluiscuniculi transmitted?
A
transmitted horizontally to kits during suckling and during breeding in adult animals.
21
Q
Describe the lesions of Treponema paraluiscuniculi.
A
Lesions are most prominent on the mucocutaneous junctions of the genitalia, perianal skin, nose, mouth, and eyelids. The lesions begin as foci of erythema and edema and progress to papules or vesicles, followed by focal ulceration with crusting, and scaling or hyperkeratosis. Histologically, skin lesions may have moderate acanthosis, spongiosis, and orthokeratotic hyperkeratosis, with multifocal areas of erosion and ulceration.
22
Q
What disease can T. paraluiscuniculi mimic in rabbits?
A
Similar cutaneous manifestations as for Pasteurella multocida infection (i.e., moist nasal dermatitis, cheilitis, conjunctivitis, and rhinitis). Psoroptes cuniculi can also cause ear/perineal crusts
23
Q
Which of the following is the most common clinical sign of T. paraluiscuniculi?
A) mild or subclinical disease
B) abortion
C) metritis
D) infertility
A
A) Mild or subclinical disease is most common, but all of these clinical signs have been reported
24
Q
Why is serology less effective at diagnosing active treponemiasis in rabbits?
A
anti-Treponema antibodies are slow to develop, requiring 5–6 weeks from the time lesions appear.
25
What are differential diagnoses for dermatitis in rabbits (besides bacterial dermatitis)?
dermatophytosis, ectoparasitism, and contact allergy.
26
What are differential diagnoses for abscesses in rabbits?
cutaneous cysts, lipomas, cuterebriasis, hematoma, or neoplasia, such as lymphosarcoma. Yersinia pestis infection with cutaneous swellings (“bubos”) occurs rarely in wild cottontail rabbits in the United States and may be transmitted to humans during handling of sick animals or carcass dressing.
27
What is the only proven method of eliminating S. aureus from a herd of meat rabbits?
Depopulation
28
What is the preferred treatment for rabbit spirochetosus (treponemiasis)?
Treatment of affected rabbits and other in-contact rabbits. Although rabbit spirochetosis tends to be self-limiting, with spontaneous regression of lesions usually occurring within several weeks, untreated rabbits can remain seropositive, suggesting a carrier state, possibly due to maintenance of the organism in regional lymph nodes.
29
What is the normal gestation length of rabbits?
31 days
30
How often do does nurse their kits?
1-2 times per day
31
At what age do rabbit kits start eating solid food?
8-12 days (nest grass and mother’s feces)
32
At what age can rabbit kits see and hear?
18 days
33
At what age are rabbits fully weaned?
3.5 weeks
34
At what age are rabbits sexually mature?
4 months (females sooner than males)
35
Which breeds of rabbits are prone to congenital incisor malocclusion?
Dwarf breeds
36
Which rabbit breeds are prone to uterine neoplasia?
Dutch, Havana, and Tan rabbits
37
Which rabbit breeds are prone to entropion?
French lops and continental giants
38
Which rabbit breed is prone to intestinal obstruction by felts of ingested hair?
Angora rabbits (per Varga)
39
How many hours after a meal do rabbits produce cecotrophs?
5 hours
40
What are the Five Freedoms?
Freedom from:
1) hunger/thirst
2) discomfort
3) injury/disease/pain
4) fear/distress
5) freedom *to* behave normally
41
What is the primary function(s) of the sacculus rotundus?
Controlling movement of ingesta, and serving an immunologic role
42
The rabbit ________ opens into the ampulla caecalis coli, which forms a T-junction between the ileum, ______, and proximal colon.
Sacculus rotundus
Cecum
43
Which rabbit gastrointestinal structures are specially adapted for mixing and separating large quantities of food?
The ampulla caecalis coli, cecum, and proximal colon
44
What structure contains over 50% of the total lymphoid tissue of rabbits?
The gut-associated lymphoid tissue, located predominantly in the hindgut.
45
What does the rabbit appendix secrete which helps buffer the volatile fatty acids resulting from microbial fermentation?
bicarbonate ions
46
What percentage of the total volume of the gastrointestinal tract is contained in the rabbit stomach?
About 15%
47
Can rabbits vomit?
No - the stomach has a well-developed cardiac sphincter that prevents vomiting
48
How much gastric motility occurs in healthy rabbits?
Gastric motility, particularly in the cardiac region, is minimal. Mixing of food in this anatomical area is thought to occur secondarily to peristaltic movements of the adjacent large intestine and abdominal wall tension during locomotion.
49
How much of the digestive volume is contained in the rabbit cecum?
~65% (together, the cecum and the stomach contain over 80% of the digesta; the amount of material in them is dependent on age, breed, diet, and time of day)
50
What cells produce what digestive enzymes in rabbits?
There is a concentration of parietal cells in the fundic region that secrete both hydrochloric acid and intrinsic factor, whereas peptic cells secrete pepsinogen (a pepsin precursor).
51
What is the postprandial pH of a rabbit stomach?
The postprandial pH of the stomach can fall to pH 1 to 2, which effectively sterilizes ingesta before it passes into the small intestine. This is one mechanism that protects the gut bacteria. The stomach pH of suckling nursing rabbits is higher at approximately 5 to 6.5, which permits the passage of bacteria through the stomach to the hindgut to colonize the cecum. During the digestion of caecotrophs the stomach pH rises to 3.0 due to the buffering effects of lactate produced by bacteria in the caecotrophs.
52
What normal occurrence causes the stomach pH of rabbits to increase to 3.0, and why?
During the digestion of caecotrophs due to the buffering effects of lactate produced by bacteria in the caecotrophs.
53
What is the transit time of food in and out of the stomach of rabbits?
Transit time of food through the stomach is approximately 3 to 6 hours.
54
How many pancreatic ducts do rabbits have?
One - a single accessory pancreatic duct opens at the junction of the transverse and ascending loops of the duodenum. The terminal part of the main pancreatic duct disappears during embryonic development. The accessory pancreatic duct communicates with both pancreatic lobes.
55
What spherical structure forms the junction between the ileum, cecum, and proximal colon?
The sacculus rotundus directs digesta appropriately, and also has a primarily immunological role. An ileocolic valve controls movement of digesta from the ileum into the sacculus rotundus and also prevents reverse flow into the small intestine.
56
What stimulates gastrointestinal smooth muscle contraction, and where is it secreted?
Motilin, a polypeptide hormone secreted by enterochromaffin cells of the duodenum and jejunum, stimulates gastrointestinal smooth muscle contractions. Fat stimulates and carbohydrate inhibits its release. In the small intestine, motilin activity is decreased aborally. It disappears in the cecum and reappears in the colon and rectum.
57
What do cecotrophs contain?
Amino acids, volatile fatty acids, vitamins, live microbes, lysozyme, amylase, and a gelatinous mucous coating that protects them from the acidity of the stomach. Some fermentation takes place within the caecotrophs, as they lie in the gastric fundus for 6 to 8 hours before being digested. The long time spent in the stomach correlates with reduced cecal contractions (and thereby reduced external movement impacting on the stomach) during the soft feces phase of digestion.
58
What enzyme is secreted by the rabbit colon, incorporated into the cecotroph, and has bacteriolytic effects?
Lysozyme is secreted by the colon and incorporated into the caecotroph during its passage through the large intestine. The bacteriolytic activity of lysozyme enables microbial protein to be degraded and absorbed from the small intestine in addition to the amino acids and vitamins present in the caecotrophs.
59
In rabbits, what enzyme is produced by bacteria within the cecotroph that converts glucose into carbon dioxide and lactic acid?
Amylase
Pancreatic amylase production is low compared with other species. There are alternative sources of amylase such as saliva and caecotrophs. In rabbits, ligation of the pancreatic duct does not result in pancreatic insufficiency.
60
What is the transit time of ingesta through the small intestine of rabbits?
10 to 20 minutes for the jejunum and 30 to 60 minutes for the ileum
61
In rabbits, ligation of the pancreatic duct does not result in pancreatic insufficiency. Why is this?
There are alternative sources of amylase such as saliva and caecotrophs.
62
Which organs secrete bicarbonate into the rabbit GI tract?
Pancreas and appendix
63
What is the pacemaker of the rabbit gut and where is it located?
The fusus coli
Ascending colon
The fusus coli acts as a pacemaker for colonic motility that alters with the type of feces that are passing through the colon. The fusus coli squeezes the intestinal contents into pellets that become encapsulated in mucus before being excreted as soft caecotrophs.
64
What influences the fusus coli?
The autonomic nervous system and hormones such as aldosterone and prostaglandins.
65
What enzyme, important for acid-base metabolism in other species, do rabbits lack in the thick ascending limb of the renal tubules?
Carbonic anhydrase
This may negatively impact rabbits’ ability to respond to acidosis conditions
66
What percentage of body weight in a rabbit is attributed to the following structures:
1) skeleton
2) muscle mass
3) hind limb musculature
1) 7-8%
2) 50%
3) 13%
67
According to Walter et al 2010, how long did rabbits with uterine adenocarcinoma survive after OVH surgery?
80% survived at least 6 months Boston; another study referenced in the same paper found survival was reported for 22m or longer.
68
What percentage of rabbits undergoing amputation developed chronic complications postop? What was the mortality rate for surgery itself?
59% (difficulty ambulating, grooming, and pododermatitis)
18% mortality rate
69
What percentage of rabbits with diagnosed osteosarcoma have lung metastasis at the time of diagnosis?
50%
70
What is the blood volume of the rabbit and how does it compare to that of dogs and cats?
5.7% total body weight - lower than dogs and cats (10% and 8% respectively)
71
What is the only medication routinely recommended to prophylactively reduce the risk of postop adhesions in rabbits?
Postop NSAID therapy.
72
If a rabbit develops adhesions that are then surgically broken down, what treatment is recommended to help reduce risk of adhesions recurrence?
Pentoxyfylline 2.5 mg/kg po q12h x 6 treatments has been shown to reduce recurrence of adhesions.
73
What closure technique for the abdominal wall is associated with lower risk of adhesions in rabbits?
Engaging the peritoneum AND the external rectus sheath when closing the body wall
74
What is the holding layer of the GI tract in the rabbit?
Submucosa
75
What are the 3 most common sites of intestinal obstruction in rabbits?
Duodenum 1-2cm aborad from the pylorus; ileocolic valve; and fusus coli
76
What is the normal urine production volume in rabbits?
130ml/kg/d
77
How common is uterine adenocarcinoma in female rabbits?
60% at 4 years and 75% at 7 years
78
what % of rabbits with upper respiratory tract infections also had otitis media?
80% - bilateral in 70% (Deeb et al 1990, referenced in sx text)
79
What percentage of healthy rabbits have otitis media?
11-33%
Incidental finding on ct in 27% of cases
(Numbers from sx text)
80
Is cellulose or hemicellulose more easily digested?
Hemicelluloses and pectins are broken down more easily than cellulose, which requires degradation by cellulolytic bacteria and requires time for attachment of the bacteria to the cell wall before degradation starts. Degradation of cellulose takes longer than hemicellulose because of its linear polymer structure (Gidenne et al., 1998), so it is less fermentable than hemicellulose.
81
What complication has been associated with the use of bulk laxatives containing pectin in rabbits?
Caecal impactions
82
What crude fiber levels are recommended for rabbit diets?
10-15%
83
What crude fiber content is recommended for rabbit diets?
Commercial rabbits: 10-15%
Pet rabbits: 12-24% depending on reference
84
What fiber content is recommended for rabbit diets?
10-15% for commercial rabbits
12-24% for pet rabbits
85
Which rabbit breed is predisposed to both entropion and superficial pyoderma in the large skin folds under the chin and around the perineum?
French and English lops
86
What causes “head down” disease in rabbits?
Ingestion of woollypod milkweed (Asclepias eriocarpa) in the United States. Affected animals develop paralysis of the neck muscles and loss of coordination. Drooling, rough hair coat, subnormal temperature, and tar-like feces occur. Recovery is possible (see Section 10.6.1.2). The toxic principal is a resinoid.
87
What toxic compound that impairs adenosine troposphate synthesis causes hyperthermia, methemoglobinemia, jaundice, and pulmonary edema as clinical signs?
Ingestion of vegetation contaminated with nitrophenols, which are used as herbicides, fungicides, or antisprouting agents on potatoes.
88
Which location is considered the best for assessing body condition in rabbits?
The ribs
89
What are the top two differentials for inflamed and crusty skin near the genitalia of rabbits?
Rabbit syphilis (Treponema paraluis cuniculi) or ectopic Psoroptes cuniculi infection (mites spread from ears to genitalia during grooming)
90
What is the average number of fecal pellets produced per day by a 2.5-3.5 kg rabbit?
150 fecal pellets
91
Which location is considered the best for assessing body condition in rabbits?
The ribs
92
What percentage of dental abnormalities can be missed on conscious oral exam of rabbits?
Approximately 50% to 70% of dental abnormalities can be missed on conscious examination alone as soft tissues and the movement of the patient impinge on the view.
93
What does milk oil do for neonatal rabbits and where is it produced
An antimicrobial fatty acid or “milk oil” is present in the nursing rabbit. It is produced by an enzymatic reaction in the doe’s milk that takes place in the nursing rabbit’s stomach. The milk oil controls the gastrointestinal microbial contents of neonate and juvenile rabbits and protects them from enteric infection.
94
How can pseudopregnancy be differentiated from actual pregnancy in rabbits? Do rabbits have to have access to another male rabbit to enter a pseudopregnancy?
Pseudopregnancy lasts for 16 to 18 days, rather than the 31 to 32 days of true pregnancy. Because rabbits ovulate in response to sexual stimulation by another rabbit, proximity of a male or mating behavior between two females housed together can stimulate ovulation and result in pseudopregnancy.
95
What type of virus is Myxomatosis?
Poxvirus
96
What virus causes cross protection against myxomatosis after rabbits are infected?
Shope fibroma virus
97
How long can RHD survive off the host?
RHD virus can survive outside the host for 10 to 19 months at room temperature.
98
What disinfectants are effective against RHD?
Exposure to *4%* potassium peroxymonosulfate (Virkon) for 2 hours; 1% sodium hydroxide or 10% household bleach are also effective disinfectants
99
What is the wildlife reservoir for RHD1?
European brown hare
100
What is the incubation period for RHD1? For RHD2?
RHD1: 12-24 hours
RHD2: 10-14 days
101
What is the rabbit flea?
Spilopsyllus cuniculi
Note: most rabbits do not get this flea, they get cat or dog fleas
102
How is toxoplasma transmitted from rabbits to humans?
Ingestion of undercooked rabbit meat (not spread in feces)
103
What are common clinical signs of uterine adenocarcinoma in rabbits?
Decreased fertility, depression, anorexia, vaginal discharge, respiratory distress
104
What is the prognosis for OVH rabbits that had uterine adenocarcinomas?
One study showed 80% survival 6 months postop.
Another study showed survival of 22+ months.
105
By what age should rabbits be spayed to prevent uterine adenocarcinomas?
By 2y of age at the latest
106
Which tumor is considered likely to be connected to uterine adenocarcinoma or endometrial hyperplasia in rabbits?
Mammary tumors
107
What is the reported perioperative mortality in rabbits undergoing surgical excision of thymomas?
25-50%
108
What is the reported prognosis for rabbits with thymoma treated with radiation therapy?
>727 days if survived the first 2 weeks of treatment
109
What is the reported mortality/chronic morbidity rate for limb amputation in rabbits?
18% mortality rate, 59% chronic morbidity rate
110
What percentage of primary bone osteosarcomas have metastasized to the lungs by the time of diagnosis?
50%
111
What is the renal fractional excretion of calcium in rabbits?
45% (compared to 2% in most mammals)
112
What bacteria are populated in normal rabbit large bowels?
Strict anaerobic bacteria including Bacteroides spp. and facultative anaerobic bacteria such as Streptococcus and Chlostridium species.
113
What percentage of the total body surface area is the rabbit ear?
12%
114
How much of the total mass of lymphoid tissue in a rabbit’s body is contained within the GALT?
Over 50%
Includes Peyer’s patches, cecal tonsil, and cecal appendix
115
What is unique about the right AV valve in rabbits?
It is bicuspid instead of tricuspid
116
Do rabbits have bronchioles?
No, airways terminate in vestibules that contain alveoli
117
When do rabbits shed their deciduous teeth?
Around birth
They have diphyodont dentition (both deciduous and permanent teeth present)
118
How much of the ingesta is contained in the rabbit stomach?
15%
119
How much ingesta does the rabbit cecum hold?
40-65%
120
How much ingesta does the rabbit small intestine hold?
12%
121
What is the purpose of warzen?
Wart like projections into the mucosal surface of the proximal upper colon that increase surface area for absorption
122
How do neonatal rabbits receive the majority of their maternal antibodies?
Transplacentally
123
What percentage of total body weight is the skeleton of rabbits?
6-7% in New Zealand whites
124
What percentage of body weight is skeletal muscle in rabbits?
50%
125
Adenovirus enteritis caused peak losses at what age in commercial rabbits?
6-8 weeks of age - profuse diarrhea, low mortality
E. coli coinfected and likely contributed to pathogenicity
126
How many herpesviruses do domestic rabbits get?
Three total: leporid herpesvirus 2 and 4, and human Herpes simplex-1
Leporid herpesvirus 1 and 3 affect sylvilagus rabbits only
127
What disease does leporid herpesvirus 2 (Herpesvirus cuniculi) cause?
Subclinical natural infection
128
What disease does leporid herpesvirus 4 cause?
Sudden onset mortality up to 30% with highest mortality in young rabbits; clinical signs range from none to anorexia, conjunctivitis, dyspnea, peri ocular/facial swelling, facial dermatitis, oculonasal discharge, diarrhea, necrohemorrhagic bronchopneumonia, and abortion. NO ENCEPHALITIS! Ddx = RHDV, myxomatosis
Can differentiate by intranuclear inclusion bodies (no inclusions in RHDV, intracytoplasmic inclusions in myxomatosis)
129
What clinical signs are seen with human Herpes simplex-1 virus in rabbits?
Fatal Encephalitis - may also have conjunctivitis
130
Shope papillomavirus is spread how?
Insect vectors
131
What are clinical signs of Shope papillomavirus?
Papilloma formation (mostly on the eyelids and ears), of which 75% progress to squamous cell carcinomas that can metastasize to regional lymph nodes and lungs
132
What is the treatment of choice for Shope papillomavirus?
Lesions are self limiting if they do not progress to SCC
Immunization is ineffective and rabbits become chronic carriers
133
What is rabbit oral papillomavirus?
A different papilloma virus than Shope papillomavirus (Oryctolagus spp are the target spp). Lesions occur in rabbits between 2-18 mo of age and develop pedunculated and sessile lesions on the ventral tongue and oral/labial mucosa. Lesions usually regress spontaneously within a few weeks. Do NOT undergo malignant transformation.
134
Which is more clinically significant:
A) shope papillomavirus
B) rabbit oral papillomavirus
C) both are equally clinically significant
A) shope papillomas often transform to squamous cell carcinomas while rabbit oral papillomavirus lesions are typically self limiting
135
What is the mortality rate of myxomavirus in rabbits?
25-99%
136
How is myxomatosis spread?
Insect vectors (mosquitos and fleas) as well as direct contact and fomites
137
How long after infection with poxvirus do rabbits produce the classic sq myxoid masses?
3-4 days
138
Where do myxoid masses from myxomatosis tend to develop?
Face, eyes, base of ears, and scrotum
139
What are clinical signs of amyxomatous myxomatosis?
Respiratory signs with minimal or small skin nodules
140
What virus is Shope fibroma virus most closely related to?
Myxoma virus
141
How is Shope fibromavirus spread and what are the clinical signs?
Arthropod vectors; develops firm, flattened tumors on the legs, feet, muzzle, priorities, and perineal regions; may be up to 7 cm diameter, usually freely moveable, and often spontaneously resolve a few months after developing.
142
How is RHD spread?
Orofecal exposure, environment contamination, and insect vectors
Survivors may persistently shed the virus.
143
What is the incubation for RHD?
1-3 days - rabbits are typically moribund within 24-36 hours after onset of fever.
144
What is the mortality rate of RHD?
80%+
145
What is the major histopathologic lesion of RHD?
Acute necrotizing hepatitis.
May also see segmental necrotizing enteritis of small intestine
146
What is the cause of death for RHD?
Massive DIC
147
What clinical signs and age group are affected by rabbit enteric coronavirus infection?
Young rabbits 3-10 weeks old; diarrhea, distended cecum, off white to tan feces, villi blunting and enterocyte necrosis; up to 60% mortality
148
What are clinical complications associated with pleural effusion disease virus in rabbits?
DCM may develop later - this has only been seen in lab rabbits, not naturally infected
149
What varieties of rabies have been documented to infect rabbits?
Raccoon and skunk
150
What are the expected clinical signs of rotavirus in rabbits?
Diarrhea in rabbits 1-3 weeks old with high morbidity and mortality
151
What bacteria was documented to cause granulomatous osteitis of the head, spinal column, and limbs of rabbits?
Actinomyces
152
If lesions develop associated with Bordetella bronchiseptica infection in rabbits, what is typically seen?
Fibrinopurulent bronchopneumonia and interstitial pneumonia
Usually asymptomatic, can be spread from rabbits to guinea pigs
153
What cardiovascular signs have been reported with experimental infection of rabbits with Chlamydophila pneumoniae?
Atherosclerosis in mildly hyperlipemic rabbits
154
What is the most common Clostridial species associated with enterotoxemia in young rabbits?
Clostridium spiriforme - isolated from >50% on necropsy, and 90% of strains were toxigenic.
Carbohydrate overload is associated with the syndrome
Necropsy findings include necrotizing typhlitis with hemorrhage and fibrinous exudate on cecal mucosa
155
How long is Clostridium piliforme infectious within the environment?
At least 1 year
156
What is the morbidity associated with Tyzzer’s disease in rabbits?
10-50%
Mortality is high in affected animals
Sudden onset of profuse watery diarrhea or sudden death with fecal staining in the perineal area are the most common clinical signs.
157
What is “grass sickness” caused by?
Clostridium botulinum dysautonomia
158
What is the cause of epizootic rabbit enteropathy?
Clostridium perfringens
Rabbits 6-14 weeks old; mortality up to 80%
May not have histologic lesions
159
What increases the risk of colibacillosis in young rabbits?
Intestinal coccidiosis (causes rise in cecal pH), and diets with high digestive HCl that increase volatile cecal fatty acid production
160
What color is E. Coli diarrhea in rabbits?
Watery yellow to brown or grey-brown
161
What does Klebsiella pneumoniae infection cause in rabbits?
Hemorrhagic enterotyphlitis with serosal hemorrhages in suckling kits; up to 100% mortality reported
162
What are expected clinical signs in rabbits associated with Listeria monocytogenes infection?
Abortions and sudden deaths, particularly in does during advanced pregnancy (has a predilection for the uterus)
May see straw colored fluid in the peritoneal cavity and mummified or decomposing feti in the uterus
163
What is the primary nidus of infection in rabbits with Pasteurella multocida, and how does it spread?
The upper respiratory tract
Spreads to the lower respiratory tract via aerogenous route; spreads to the middle ear via eustacian tube, hematogenously, or by local extension; spreads to the external genital tract veneareally or by nasal contact; and to other areas of the body via hematogenous or local spread.
164
What are the most common clinical manifestations of Pasteurella multocida in rabbits?
Rhinitis with catarrhal to mucopurulent exudate and turbinate atrophy, and vestibular syndrome secondary to otitis media
Subclinical otitis media is common
165
What causes green fur syndrome in rabbits?
Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection (exudative dermatitis, particularly in the dewlap)
166
Staph aureus infection is a common cause of what conditions in rabbits?
Sq abscesses, dermatitis, mastitis, pododermatitis, and septicemia
167
What is the most important route of spread of Treponema paraluiscuniculi-cuniculi?
Venereal
Lesions occur in the vulva, prepuce, anus, muzzle, and periodical region.
Ulcerations, crusting, and edematous papules seen.
168
What is the diagnostic test of choice for Treponema paraluiscuniculi?
Scrapings of lesions with wet mount prep and dark field microscopy
Can also do silver stains if histology sections
169
How long do rabbits shed E. Cuniculi spores in their urine?
From 1-3 months after infection only
170
What do kidney lesions associated with E. Cuniculi look like?
Multiple irregular dark red and depressed foci of the renal cortex
171
How many species of Eimeria are documented in rabbits?
10; rabbits are usually coinfected with multiple species
172
What lesions are seen with Eimeria steidae in rabbits?
Thin, potbellied, dark brown to green diarrhea. Raised linear hepatic lesions containing green to tan intusspisated fluid, dilated bile duct filled with flocculent material, proliferative cholangitis, periportal fibrosis, and hepatitis, +/- ascites
173
What are the most common intestinal Eimeria species of rabbits?
E. Flavescens and E. Piriformes
174
What tissue tropism do Baylisascaris procyonis larvae have?
Prefer the brain stem
175
Can rabbits get Dirofilaria immitis?
Can be aberrant hosts; worms develop in the pulmonary arteries and die leading to organized thrombi.
176
What is the rabbit pinworm?
Passaluris ambiguus
Found in the cecum and large intestine
177
What is the most common tapeworm of domestic rabbits?
Cittotaenia variabilis
Intermediate host - orbatid mite
Infection via ingestion of infested grass or hay
178
Is Leporacarus gibbus zoonotic?
Yes
179
What mite species causes similar clinical signs to Scabies?
Notoedres cati
180
What is the rabbit louse species?
Haemodipsus ventroculosis
181
What is the sequelae of mucoid enteropathy in rabbits, and what is the cause?
Cecal impaction in rabbits that live 7-14 days after onset of sign; high mortality; rabbits 7-10 weeks of age most often affected
Cause is unknown, dietary suspected with resultant cecal dysbiosis
182
What causes “outbreaks” of trichobezoars in rabbits?
Lab rabbits raised in cold climates and then introduced to warm indoor housing
183
What breed of rabbit is prone to muscular hypertrophy of the pyloric sphincter?
New Zealand white rabbits
184
What is the correct term for masses within the anus of rabbits?
Anorectal polyps (not papillomas)
185
What is Schmorl’s disease?
Necrobacillosis of the dewlap in does secondary to excess ptyalism in heat stressed or maloccluded rabbits
186
What is a potential cause for self mutilation of hind digits in rabbits?
IM injections of ketamine, xylazine, and acepromazine (secondary to sciatic nerve damage)
187
What are reported signs of hypervitaminosis A in a rabbit?
Hyperostotic polyarthropathy - rabbit was fed a chronic diet of carrots. Rabbits are uniquely able to convert 100% of dietary beta carotene into retinol.
188
What toxin can lead to hyperostosis of the extremities in rabbits?
Fluoride toxicosis (osteofluorosis)
189
What breed of rabbit is prone to congenital glaucoma?
New Zealand white
190
What is the cause of megacolon syndrome?
Incompletely dominant mutant allele of the English spotting locus (genetic disorder of spotted rabbits with this mutation); causes sodium absorption defect in the cecum and hypogangliosis in distal gut.
191
What is the most common spontaneous neoplasm of rabbits?
uterine adenocarcinoma
192
What is the most common skin tumor of rabbits?
Trichoblastoma
193
What is the incidence rate of uterine adenocarcinoma in rabbits?
4% in does 2-3yo
80% in does 5-6yo
194
What clinical signs are often correlated with thymomas in rabbits?
Hypercalcemia, exfoliative dermatitis, and periodic exophthalmos
195
What is the fourth most common reported tumor in rabbits?
Bile duct adenomas and adenocarcinomas
196
What is the rabbit flea?
Spilopsyllus cuniculi
197
What is the impact of stress on the rabbit renal system?
Stress reduces renal blood flow in rabbits. In a study by Kaplan and Smith (1935) into the effects of diuresis and urine flow, a single dose of 50 mL/kg of water was given to rabbits before subjecting them to unpleasant or painful stimuli. In all cases the disturbing stimuli were immediately followed by a marked decrease in urine flow, renal plasma flow, and filtration rate. Oliguria was frequently severe, lasting from 30 to 120 minutes. Fatal convulsions occurred in a proportion of these rabbits. The control group of rabbits that were not stimulated and remained undisturbed could withstand diuresis by increasing urine flow.
198
What is the impact of stress on incidence of gastric ulcers in rabbits?
Stress increases gastric acidity. Gastric ulcers are a common postmortem finding in rabbits, especially in those that have been anorexic prior to death. In a survey of 1000 postmortem examinations by Hinton (1980), 3% were found to have ulceration of the gastric mucosa that was related to the stress of the associated illness. Experimental stress ulcers have been induced in the gastric mucosa of laboratory rabbits by administering intraperitoneal injections of adrenaline (Behara et al., 1980).
199
What is a common hematologic change associated with dental disease in rabbits?
Lymphopenia due to chronic stress
200
At what ages should young rabbits be picked up and handled by people to improve sociability?
Baby rabbits that are picked up and handled between the ages of 26 and 42 days are more willing to approach humans and will remain closer to them (Der Weduwen and McBride, 1999).
201
What are common causes of biting in rabbits?
Hormones, adrenal disease, overzealous grooming, pain, environmental exploration, territorial behavior, deafness
202
What are the preferred sites for IM injections in rabbits?
Cranial thigh, epaxials
NOT caudal thigh - can have sciatic damage
203
What is a reported complication of nebulizing a rabbit with hypertonic saline?
Experimental nebulization of rabbits with hypertonic saline (3.6%) caused extravasation of water into the subepithelial tissue of the airway wall. The formation of edema was associated with a decrease in compliance and gas exchange (Hogman et al., 1997). ***Isotonic saline should be the carrier for any nebulization medications***
203
What can be added to sq fluids to improve speed of uptake?
Hyaluronidase
204
What techniques are reported for csf collection in rabbits, and what is the preferred method?
Cisternal puncture or atlanto-occipital membrane (ATOM) puncture. ATOM puncture is preferred.
Cistern puncture in the rabbit is widely used in laboratory rabbits, and the procedure is similar to that for dogs and cats. Increasingly, however, the method of choice for CSF collection is via atlanto-occipital membrane puncture. Li and colleagues (2012) demonstrated that of three methods evaluated, atlanto-occipital membrane puncture was the simplest, fastest, and most repeatable method. Anselmi and colleagues (2018) elucidated the ultrasonic anatomy of the atlanto-occipital region in the rabbit, proposed an ultrasound guided technique for CSF sampling, and completed this successfully in all rabbits trialed, with no complications.
205
What blood parameter is most affected by pregnancy in rabbits?
Serum cholesterol can be up to 30% lower in pregnant than in nonpregnant animals (Palm, 1997).
206
In rabbits, bile acids, cholesterol, urea, and differential white cell count are all ______ at the end of the day.
A) higher
B) lower
C) unchanged
A) higher
207
What feature of rabbit red blood cells makes it hard for analyzers to assess them?
The red blood cells vary in diameter within a range of 5.0 to 7.8 μm (Sanderson and Phillips, 1981).
208
What percentage of circulating erythrocytes in rabbits are reticulocytes, and why?
In rabbits, 1% to 4% of circulating erythrocytes may be reticulocytes. Polychromasia and reticulocytes in rabbit blood smears have been attributed to the short life span and high turnover of erythrocytes (Kraus et al., 1984).
209
What is the significance of anisocytosis in rabbit blood?
Anisocytosis and polychromasia are normal in rabbits. The red blood cells of rabbits vary in diameter within a range of 5.0 to 7.8 μm. This variation in diameter (anisocytosis) is a feature of blood smears from rabbits and is not a significant finding. There is also variation in erythrocyte color (polychromasia) in normal rabbits.
210
How can heterophils be differentiated from eosinophils?
Eosinophils can be distinguished from neutrophils by their greater size and large acidophilic granules.
211
What are some causes for regenerative anemia in rabbits?
Common causes of regenerative anemia include heavy flea infestation; secondary to bleeding from sites that intermittently bleed, such as a uterine endometrial aneurysm or uterine adenocarcinomas; lead poisoning can result in a regenerative anemia with the presence of nucleated erythrocytes, hypochromasia, poikilocytosis, and cytoplasmic basophilic stippling (Fudge, 2000).
211
What hemotologic trends are expected in rabbits housed outdoors with access to grazing and exercise compared to rabbits housed in hutches or suffering from dental disease?
In a clinical study by Harcourt-Brown and Baker (2001), significantly higher red cell counts, hemoglobin values, hematocrits, and lymphocyte counts were found in rabbits kept outside with unlimited access to grazing and exercise.
212
Rabbit erythrocyte values >____ indicate dehydration, and <______ indicate anemia.
A) 40%, 35%
B) 45%, 30%
C) 30%, 45%
B) 45%, 30%
213
What are causes of non regenerative anemia in rabbits?
Lymphoma, chronic renal failure, acute noncompensated hemorrhage, chronic disease
214
What has been reported as a cause of autoimmune hemolytic anemia in rabbits?
Autoimmune hemolytic anemia has been reported in laboratory rabbits in association with lymphosarcoma (Weisbroth, 1994).
215
What are nucleated red blood cells in systemic circulation a sign of in rabbits?
If more than 1-2% nRBC seen in circulation, need to screen for acute septicemia. Experimentally, infections with Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus cause an increase in number of circulating nucleated red blood cells during the septicemic phase of the disease (Toth and Krueger, 1988, 1989).
216
How does the leukocyte count of rabbits change with age?
Leukocyte count is higher in young rabbits of approximately 3 months of age and in adults over 1 year old. The first peak in leukocyte count is due to an increase in the number of lymphocytes. The second peak is due to an increase in the number of neutrophils.
217
What is the appropriate neutrophil:lymphocyte ration in a 2 month old rabbit? In a rabbit >1 year old?
The ratio changes from 33:60 in the second month of life to 45:45 in rabbits over 1 year of age. Stress and increased cortisol levels, as well as disease, can affect this ratio.
218
What is the difference in function between large and small lymphocytes in rabbits?
None.
Two distinct lymphocyte populations are recognized in rabbits: large and small lymphocytes. Smaller lymphocytes approximate the size of red blood cells, whereas the larger form are a similar size to heterophils. The function of each is the same.
219
What diseases often lead to lymphopenia in rabbits?
Causes of chronic stress/pain, including vestibular disease, gut impaction, dental disease, and abscessation.
220
What shape is the nucleus of rabbit eisinophils?
Horseshoe shaped
221
Which of the following does not cause an eosinophilia in rabbits?
A) E. cuniculi infection
B) Ascarid infection
C) traumatic wound healing
A) Encephalitozoonosis does not appear to cause an eosinophilia.
222
How high can the basophil count reach in healthy rabbits?
Up to 30% of total leukocytes
223
Does the absence of monocytosis mean that a rabbit does not have a chronic inflammatory condition?
No. Chronic inflammation *can* cause monocytosis but doesn’t always
224
What is the role of obesity and ketoacidosis in development of diabetes in rabbits?
Obesity and ketoacidosis were not features of diabetes mellitus in laboratory rabbits - this is a genetic condition.
225
Which of the following do not cause hyperglycemia?
A) trauma
B) hemorrhagic shock
C) hypothermia
C) hypothermia
Hyperthermia causes hyperglycemia
226
What disease process has been linked to elevated triglyceride levels in rabbits?
experimentally induced chronic renal failure caused elevated triglyceride levels (Tvedegaard, 1987).
227
Name 3 causes for elevated BUN in rabbits.
Impaired renal function (either due to primaet renal disease (pre, renal, post azotemia) or secondary to poor perfusion because of circulatory disorders or cardiac disease), or can be a sign of gastrointestinal bleeding.
228
What kidney lesions are expected in E. cuniculi infections in rabbits?
E. cuniculi infection causes granulomatous lesions in the kidneys that become pitted and scarred with fibrotic areas. The parasite has been associated with chronic renal failure, with blood urea values in the region of 152.7 mg/dL (25.45 mmol/L) and creatinine of 5.8 mg/dL (512.72 μmol/L) in a study by Ewringmann and Göbel (1999). Affected rabbits were anemic, with low hemoglobin and red cell counts, and had elevated serum potassium concentrations.
229
What can cause false decreases in creatinine levels?
Plasma samples >24h old and animals with decreased muscling
230
What medication can cause false elevations in creatinine in rabbits?
Treatment with cephalosporins
231
What disease has been associated with bile acid levels of >100umol/L in rabbits?
Bile acid levels in excess of 100 μmol/L have been found in association with hepatic coccidiosis
232
What percentage of biliverdin is converted to bilirubin by rabbits?
The rabbit has low biliverdin reductase activity (Fekete, 1989), and only 30% of biliverdin is converted to bilirubin.
233
What viral disease may cause elevated bilirubin and massive elevations in AST and ALT in rabbits?
Rabbit hemorrhagic disease (RHD1 and RHD2) causes acute hepatic necrosis with elevated bilirubin concentrations in association with dramatic increases in AST and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) concentrations.
234
What are two causes of hemolytic anemia reported in lab rabbits?
Thymoma and lymphosarcoma
235
____ in L-lactate is associated with a better prognosis in rabbits.
Increases
Critically ill patients had lower and less fluctuant L-lactate levels (Ardiaca, 2016) compared with rabbits who were recovering. An increased in L-lactate was associated with a better prognosis. It is suggested that this is associated with the ingestion of lactate in caecotrophs and reflects an animal that is getting better. Animals that are anorectic, even if being assist fed, usually do not ingest caecotrophs.
236
True or false: SDMA has been validated as a useful renal marker in rabbits
True.
SDMA has been shown to be a useful indicator of renal function in rabbits (Charalampos et al., 2019). SDMA is an indicator of concurrent diseases that may affect kidney function.
237
What are 3 non-hepatic causes of hypoalbuminemia in rabbits?
Nonhepatic causes of low serum albumin include glomerulonephropathy, protein-losing enteropathy, malabsorption, and cardiogenic ascites.
238
What is the most common reason for low albumin in rabbits?
In rabbits, hypoalbuminemia is most likely to be associated with nutritional factors such as abnormal caecotrophy, incorrect diet, starvation, or malnutrition associated with dental disease. Primary or secondary hepatic neoplasia occasionally occurs in pet rabbits. Hepatic coccidiosis is a cause of low serum albumin levels, especially in young rabbits that have been kept in colonies.
239
What are reasons that rabbits may not ingest adequate cecotrophs, and what is the outcome?
Low fiber diets, obesity, dental disease, or skeletal abnormalities can prevent rabbits ingesting caecotrophs from the anus and reduce the available amino acids for protein synthesis. Rabbits kept in hutches are more likely to be eating a low fiber diet and to suffer from obesity and skeletal problems than rabbits living outside with unrestricted access to natural vegetation and exercise. Caecotrophs are a source of amino acids for rabbits, and normal caecotrophy is an important element of their protein metabolism.
240
What tissue disorders do not significantly increase C-RP levels?
Neurologic (other than E. Cuniculi) and dermatologic diseases.
In gastrointestinal, reproductive, urinary tract, dental, and musculoskeletal disease, C-RP levels were significantly elevated compared with normal rabbits. In neurological and dermatological disease, the difference from normal levels was less but not significantly so, although it was elevated.
C-RP levels allow determination of disease status, monitoring of effects of treatment given, and prognostication. Prognosis worsens as C-RP increases (Oohashi et al., 2019).
241
What does an elevated amylase level indicate in rabbits?
Elevated levels indicate pancreatic disease or renal insufficiency. In rabbits, amylase is present in pancreatic tissue in high concentrations. Low concentrations are found in the salivary glands, and no amylase is produced by the liver (Jenkins, 2000). Amylase is also produced by caecal microorganisms and is present in caecotrophs, aiding conversion of glucose to lactic acid during digestion in the stomach and small intestine. Serum amylase levels are lower in rabbits than in other species (McLaughlin and Fish, 1994). Pancreatic duct obstruction or pancreatic disease can result in a rise in blood amylase values. Although pancreatitis has been reported as an entity in pet rabbits, and cases have been confirmed, it remains a rare condition. Pancreatitis should be considered as one potential underlying cause of unexplained gut stasis associated with anterior abdominal pain.
242
What is the half life of ALT in rabbits?
5 hrs
243
What other organ besides the liver contains ALT in rabbits?
Cardiac muscle.
244
Name 3 causes of ALT elevation in rabbits.
Liver lobe torsion, Hepatic coccidiosis due to E. stiedae (especially in conjunction with an increase in AP, bilirubin, and γ-glutamyl transferase (GGT)), neoplasia, aflatoxin exposure, Hepatic lipidosis. Elevated ALT values have also been found in asymptomatic house rabbits and have been attributed to the effects of organic solvents in wood shavings used as litter material.
245
What tissues contain AST in rabbits?
In rabbits, AST is found in liver, heart, skeletal muscle, kidney, and pancreas, with the highest activity in the liver and skeletal muscle (Benson and Paul-Murphy, 1999). Physical exertion or tissue damage during blood collection can elevate results. Raised AST levels can be found in association with liver disease. Raised AST in combination with normal CK levels is good evidence to suggest the AST is not of muscular origin.
246
What tissues contain GGT in rabbits?
In the rabbit, GGT is located predominantly in the renal epithelium, with low activity in the liver. Liver GGT is present primarily in bile duct epithelial cells and is therefore an indicator of hepatobiliary disease rather than hepatocellular damage (McLaughlin and Fish, 1994). In cases where there is renal tissue damage, urine GGT may be increased in addition to plasma concentrations.
247
What tissues are ALP associated with in rabbits?
Cell membranes and especially in intestinal epithelium, renal tubules, osteoblasts, liver, and placenta. The rabbit has three AP isoenzymes: the intestinal form and two isoenzymes present in both liver and kidney (McLaughlin and Fish, 1994).
In a survey of blood parameters relating to calcium metabolism in pet rabbits, serum AP values varied widely even in apparently healthy individuals (Harcourt-Brown and Baker, 2001). Increased levels of AP are seen in biliary obstruction (e.g., neoplasia or hepatic coccidiosis). Experimental ligation of the common bile duct results in increased levels of AP up to 600 IU/L (McLaughlin and Fish, 1994). Enteric disease can also elevate AP values.
248
What rabbit tissues contains CK?
CK is found in muscle and brain tissue, and there are three isomers. Elevations in CK occur secondary to muscle damage; even something as gentle as normal handling can cause significant elevations of this enzyme. CK can be evaluated along with AST and ALT to determine whether elevations of these are due to hepatocellular or muscular cell damage.
249
What is the impact of blood collection technique on rabbit potassium levels?
Discrepancies in results were found between blood collected from the ear and from the carotid artery when the blood was collected with a plastic catheter but not with a 21-gauge needle (Robson et al., 1981). General anesthesia with pentobarbitone-depressed plasma potassium values but sedation with chlorpromazine did not affect results. Serum potassium concentrations were found to be higher than plasma and in venous rather than arterial blood (Robson et al., 1981).
250
If hyperphosphatemia occurs secondary to renal disease, what does this indicate about nephron function?
Hyperphosphatemia indicates that there is a loss of approximately 80% of nephron function (Melillo 2013). L
251
What is the most common acid-base imbalance in rabbits with gut stasis?
In contrast to dogs, cats, and horses, which suffer both metabolic acidosis and metabolic alkalosis in similar situations, rabbits with gut stasis appear to simply get metabolic acidosis.
252
How can gonadal remnant syndrome be diagnosed in rabbits?
HCG stimulation test
253
What red blood cell test can diagnose lead toxicity in rabbits?
Erythrocytes from rabbits that were given lead fluoresced red when exposed to light rays of 320 to 400 nm. The fluorescent erythrocyte test was considered a convenient and reliable test for lead ingestion.
254
What are the most common clinical causes of hyperkalemia?
Iatrogenic hemolysis, renal failure, or post renal obstruction
255
How long after detectable antibodies can be identified do brain lesions develop in rabbits with E. Cuniculi?
8 weeks later (serology is a reliable early indicator)
256
What does ketonuria indicate in rabbits?
Anorexia and hepatic lipidosis
257
Although generally considered nonpathogenic and part of the normal rabbit gut microflora, Cyniclomyces/Saccharomyces guttulatus may act as a copathogen in cases of _______.
Coccidia infections.
S. guttulatus is a budding yeast that is commonly found in the feces of rabbits, chinchillas and guinea pigs. It is not believed to be pathogenic.
258
What shape are Clostridium spiriforme bacteria?
Spiral shaped or semicircular
259
How can you increase your chances of an accurate diagnosis of C. spiroforme infections in rabbits?
Centrifuging fecal material at 20,000 rpm for 15 minutes and staining the residue with Gram stain after the supernatant has been removed improves the chance of diagnosis (Langan and O’Rourke Schaeffer, 2000). Although the presence of semicircular bacteria in the feces or caecal material is suggestive of clostridial enterotoxemia, it is not a reliable diagnostic criterion. Clostridium spp. can be present in the normal caecal flora and proliferate after death. The demonstration of the toxin and anaerobic culture of the organism is required for positive diagnosis (Carman and Borriello, 1983).
260
What stain can identify Clostridium piliforme in rabbit feces?
Trick question - Clostridium piliforme, the causative organism of Tyzzer disease, is not detected in feces. A PCR test is available in the United States for detection of this organism.
261
Brushing a rabbits fur may allow visualization of which parasites directly?
Fleas, flea dirt, lice, C. parasitovorax, and Leporacarus gibbus (a fur mite) can be seen in skin brushings examined under low magnification.
262
Can E. cuniculi spores be identified in CSF?
No
263
What toxin type is produced by C. spiriforme and C. perfringens?
Iota toxin (toxins are different but cross react)
264
How can ampicillin be safely administered in rabbits?
It cannot be - it is toxic orally and parenterally
It is secreted in bile and likely gets recirculated in cecotrophs
265
In a study by Okerman and colleagues (1990), antibiotics were given to rabbits in the drinking water prior to infecting them with pathogenic P. multocida. In vitro sensitivity of the pathogen was confirmed, and trimethoprim sulfa, spiramycin, tetracycline, erythromycin, chloramphenicol, and enrofloxacin were tested at typical dose rates. What was the outcome?
A) all antibiotics were effective at preventing infection
B) only enrofloxacin at 100 mg/L was effective at preventing infection
C) both chloramphenicol and enrofloxacin were effective at preventing infection
B) Only enrofloxacin at 100 mg/L was effective in preventing infection. Enrofloxacin at 50 mg/L and chloramphenicol prevented rabbits from dying, but some of the survivors were not in good health. All the rabbits treated with the other antibiotics succumbed to acute pasteurellosis. This study highlighted not only the shortcomings of administering medication in the drinking water but also the importance of giving the correct dose of antibiotic.
266
What antibiotic is nephrotoxic in rabbits, even at low levels?
Gentamicin
267
How can ampicillin be administered safely to rabbits?
It can’t be. Toxic both orally and parenterally. Likely due to excretion in bile which allows recirculation in cecotrophs
268
What characteristic of cephalexin makes it a good choice for osteomyelitis and uveitis/keratitis?
Good penetration to tissues including bone and aqueous humor (15-20% circulating serum levels)
Can be given parenterally or topically
269
_______ is a steroidal antibiotic isolated from the fermentation products of the fungus Fusidium coccineum.
Fusidic acid
It is chemically related to cephalosporin P1 (Taylor et al., 1987) and has bacteriostatic or bactericidal activity mainly against gram-positive bacteria by selectively inhibiting bacterial protein synthesis (Bishop, 1998). The antibiotic is available for veterinary use as topical preparations. It is particularly effective against pathogenic staphylococci (Saijonmaa-Koulumies et al., 1998). Fusidic acid can penetrate avascular tissue even in large collections of pus (Taylor et al., 1987). Topical application penetrates the cornea and aqueous humor of rabbits, giving levels of fusidic acid well above minimum inhibitory concentrations for most gram-negative organisms for at least an hour after application. Minimum inhibitory concentrations persist for up to 24 hours in the cornea against gram-positive infections (Taylor et al., 1987).
269
Can coccidia by transmitted from infected rabbits to naive rabbits in a transfiguration procedure with fresh cecotrophs only being used?
No. Coccidiosis cannot be transmitted by fresh caecotrophs as the maturation process requires 48 hours before oocysts are infective.
269
What percentage of rabbits have gastric ulcers found postmortem?
7%
270
What drug was effective in preventing death from enterotoxemia in rabbits treated with clindamycin (Lipman et al., 1992), even if treatment was delayed until 48 hours after the administration of the antibiotic?
Cholestyramine
271
Lindblad and colleagues (2018) demonstrated that ________ increases survival in a rabbit model of brodifacoum (long-acting anticoagulant rodenticide) poisoning.
Cholestyramine
272
Mild gastrointestinal hypomotility in a rabbit typically causes approximately ____% dehydration.
A) 5%
B) 7%
C) 10%
A) 5%
273
Dry mucous membranes and decreased skin turgor in a rabbit suggest a _% to _% degree of dehydration.
A) 3-5%
B) 5-8%
C) 8-10%
B) 5-8%
274
Marked degree of decreased skin turgor; dry mucous membranes; a fast, weak pulse; slow capillary refill time; and mental depression in a rabbit indicate a _% to _% degree of dehydration.
A) 5-8%
B) 8-10%
C) 10-12%
C) 10-12%
275
How much blood loss will result in shock for a rabbit?
20-25% blood volhme
276
What is the circulating blood volume of a rabbit?
55-65 mL/kg
277
How fast should a transfusion be administered?
Blood should be replaced at a rate of 6 to 12 mL/kg/h
278
What is the recommended fluid rate for a dehydrated rabbit?
In most cases, a rate of 10 to 20 mL/kg/h for the first 2 hours, followed by 100 mL/kg/d, will rehydrate the animal.
279
What is the tidal volume of rabbits?
The tidal volume of rabbits is 4 to 6 mL/kg
280
What is the effect of obesity on the resting heart rate of rabbits?
Dhungel et al. [2009] documented a 15% elevation in resting heart rate in obese rabbits.
281
What % of rabbits produce atropine esterase?
About 40-61% (depending on reference) of rabbits produce atropine esterase, which rapidly breaks down atropine, so if an anticholinergic drug is required, glycopyrrolate is preferable.
282
How long does EMLA cream take to become effective in rabbits?
45-60min
283
____ percent of anesthesia-related deaths occur in the postoperative period, and a large proportion of these are within the first ____ hours after the anesthetic drugs are withdrawn (Brodbelt, 2008).
Sixty, three
284
In contrast to other more familiar species, diarrhea in rabbits is not caused by ____ but rather ___.
Hypermotility, hypomotility
285
What GI disorder is most common in juvenile rabbits, causes liquid tarry feces, and collapse?
Clostridial enterotoxemia
286
What GI disorder is occasionally seen as stress induced outbreaks in juvenile rabbits, where rabbits may appear bloated, and produce a mix of mucous and diarrhea initially?
Mucoid enteropathy (cause unknown, possible dysautonomia), can lead to cecal impaction
287
Caecotrophs represent __% of the rabbit diet by weight and ______% of the maintenance energy intake (Gidenne, 2010; Jin et al., 2018)
1) 10%
2) 12-40%
288
What are LAMB bacteria?
In the healthy rabbit, high numbers of large anaerobic metachromatic bacteria (LAMB) and protozoa are present. In rabbits suffering from mucoid enteropathy, a drop in the number of LAMB and protozoa and an increase in coliforms are found (Lelkes and Chang, 1987).
289
What is the principal source of butyrate that is used as an energy source for the caecal epithelium?
Anaerobic Bacteroides
290
______ is not digested by the caecal bacteria, whereas cellulose, hemicellulose, and pectin are.
Lignin
291
Adult rabbits have a stomach pH of _____, except during digestion of caecotrophs, when the pH _____ to pH 3.
1) 1-2
2) rises
292
The stomach pH of suckling rabbits is approximately ____, and this ____ in a linear fashion from 15 to 49 days of age, when the adult pH is reached.
1) 5 to 6.5
2) decreases
293
Volatile fatty acids are a major energy source and represent up to ____% of the maintenance energy requirement of rabbits (Marty and Vernay, 1984).
40%
294
What is the etiology and mortality rate of epizootic rabbit enteropathy?
Epizootic rabbit enteropathy (ERE) is a severe disease of unknown etiology (Bauerl et al., 2014). It is also known as mucoid enteropathy. ERE can be associated with a mortality rate of 30% to 95%. It is usually seen in farmed rabbits postweaning. ERE results in significant dysbiosis and a reduction in the biodiversity of the microbiota of the gut. ERE also increases mucin transcription rates (Hotchkiss and Merritt, 1996b). A combination of clinical signs are recognized as part of the ERE syndrome, including caecal impaction, abdominal distension, lethargy, abdominal pain, and mucoid diarrhea (Fig. 5.8). Many of these clinical signs can be caused by other diseases. Rabbits with the acute form of this disease die within 1 to 3 days, whereas those with the more protracted form may be unwell for 7 to 9 days.
295
What treatment resulted in resolution of cecal impaction in 3 rabbits?
Prostaglandin therapy (0.2 mg/kg dinoprost) was used as a last resort by Varga on a small number (three) of rabbits with impacted caeca. The caecal contents had been softened by orally administered liquid paraffin for 24 to 36 hours prior to prostaglandin treatment. In all cases, the impacted caecal contents were evacuated 24 to 48 hours after prostaglandin administration. All the rabbits went on to make a full recovery, although they appeared to be in some abdominal discomfort for a few hours after the injection. However, prostaglandins have a number of systemic effects, and the decision to use them should not be taken lightly. Concurrent oral and parenteral fluid therapy and analgesia are necessary.
296
How long did it take for mature rabbits being fed a calcium-deficient diet to develop a 20% vertebral bone loss?
14 weeks
297
What sex and breed of rabbit is most susceptible to dental disease?
Dwarf lop males
298
What condition causes horizontal ridges to form on rabbit incisors?
Enamel hypoplasia
299
How many times do rabbits blink per hour?
10-12 times/hr
300
What percentage of conjunctival samples of healthy pet rabbits had bacteria present, and what were the two most common bacterial species found?
35.9% had bacteria; corynebacterium most common (32.4%) followed by Staph (18.3%) and Pasteurella (8%). (Bourguet et Al 2019)
301
What is the normal rabbit IOP?
15-23 mmHg
302
Which infectious disease often causes damage to rabbit eyelids?
Myxomatosis
303
What is the normal Schirmer tear test measurement for rabbits?
0-11.22 mm/min
304
What is the difference between the phenol red thread test and the Schirmer tear test?
Phenol red thread test is more sensitive and requires a shorter contact time (15 sec vs 1 min) and is less likely to cause ocular irritation
305
What is the normal phenol red thread measurement in rabbits?
25mm +/- 2.7mm/15 seconds
306
What topical mydriatic agent is used in rabbits?
Tropicamide (0.5% or 1%) or cyclopentolate
307
Why do rabbits develop conjunctival hyperplasia?
Collagen dysplasia
308
What is “moon eye” in rabbits?
An autosomal recessive disorder that causes buphthalmia due to inadequate drainage of aqueous humor from the anterior chamber.
309
What is the treatment of choice for conjunctival hyperplasia?
Either resecting the hyperplastic tissue a few mm posterior to the limbus circumferencially, or dividing the conjunctiva into sections that radiate from the center and securing them under the eyelids with transpalpebral sutures. In either approach, topical steroids or cyclosporin should be applied postop to help reduce risk of regrowth.
310
What are clinical signs and treatment of choice for eosinophilic keratoconjunctivitis?
Ocular discharge, dacryocystitis, blepharitis, conjunctivitis, white conjunctival and corneal plaques, corneal neovascularization, and stromal infiltration.
Treatment included topical steroids and/or topical cyclosporine.
311
What treatment was effective against aspergillus keratomycosis in a rabbit?
Topical terbinafine 1% ointment, n-acetyl cysteine, and tobramycin ophthalmic drops for a prolonged period of time
312
What are clinical signs associated with E. cuniculi uveitis?
Lens rupture, aqueous flare, iridal granulomas, hypopyon, synechiae, and cataracts
313
Why are rabbits prone to eye issues associated with E. cuniculi infection and what does this mean about the infection route?
Usually rabbits have eye issues if they were infected in utero, as the organism invades the lens in utero when the lens capsule is very thin or absent.
314
What gait change is seen with rabbits with subtle neurologic disorders?
Rabbits will walk instead of hopping
315
In a reported case of hypertrophic osteopathy in a rabbit what was the underlying cause?
A thoracic tumor that was a metastasized adenocarcinoma of the lungs
316
What is the median bone healing time in rabbits?
28 days (Sasai et Al 2018)
317
What percentage of surgically managed rabbit fractures develop significant postoperative complications?
41% (Garcia-Pertierra et Al 2020)
318
Do rabbits tolerate forelimb or hind limb amputation better?
Forelimb
Hindlimb amputation carries risk of avascular necrosis of the plantar metatarsus of the contralateral limb, spinal rotation, and poor placement of the contra lateral limb.
Forelimb amputation mostly affects grooming of that side of the head, ear, and face.
319
Which is easier in rabbits, cisternal puncture or lumbar puncture for cns fluid collection?
Cisternal puncture
320
What percentage of rabbits in the UK are positive for E. Cuniculi?
52% (Keeble and Shaw, 2009)
321
How long after infection with E. Cuniculi does it take for lesions to be seen in rabbit brains?
At least 30 days
322
What is the sensitivity and specificity of radiographing the tympanic bulla to screen for ear infections?
75%
CT is almost 100% by comparison
323
What antibiotic class may have some efficacy against Encephalitozoon species?
Fluoroquinolones
324
What causes “head down disease” in rabbits?
Ingestion of hay containing wooly pod milkweed - affected animals develop paralysis of the neck muscles and in coordination, with drooling, rough hair coat, hypothermia, and tarry feces. Toxin is a resinoid.
325
When do rabbit vertebral epiphysis close?
3 years of age
326
How many lung lobes do rabbits have?
7 (3 on the left, 4 on the right)
327
What is aural diverticulosis in rabbits?
Inability to visualize the tympanic membrane due to waxy ear secretions
328
What feature of fluoroquinolone’s distribution pattern within the body causes it to be a reasonable option for rhinitis treatment in rabbits?
Concentrates in the mucosa of the maxillary sinus at levels greater than that found in the blood
329
How is an endoscope inserted into the nasal cavities of rabbits and what areas can it be used to examine?
Ventral meatus entry
Can explore ventral meatus, nasopharynx, and turbinates
330
Which species is the only mammal that can have the renal tubules separated from kidney slices with the tubular epithelium intact?
Rabbits
331
When do rabbit testicles descend into the scrotum?
10-12 weeks of age
332
Why are rabbits susceptible to metabolic acidosis?
The kidney has a limited capacity to excrete hydrogen ions. Rabbits have low to no concentrations of carbonic anhydrase in renal tubules, which in other species catalyses the reversible conversion of CO2 to bicarbonate. Rabbits also have limited capacity for deaminating glutamine, which prevents them from excreting hydrogen as NH4+.
333
In rabbits, what is a potential stress induced cause of renal failure?
Adrenaline release can cause a marked and prolonged (potentially up to 2 hrs) reduction in renal plasma flow and glomerular filtration.
334
Name 3 potential clinical signs of lower urinary tract disease in rabbits?
Inappropriate urination, depression, hunched posture, teeth grinding, dysuria, perineal scalding, urinary incontinence, polyuria, polydipsia
335
100% of rabbits that had temporary obstruction of the upper urinary tract on a normal diet developed what?
Renal uroliths composed of calcium carbonate, calcium oxalate, and calcium phosphate
336
What percentage of 125 rabbits with E. cuniculi showed hematological and biochemical evidence of renal failure?
31.4%
337
What is a probable sequelae of surgically resecting part of the rabbit kidney to induce chronic renal failure?
Dystrophic calcification of tissues due to impaired excretion of calcium. In rabbits, renal failure compromised calcium excretion but not absorption.
338
SDMA rises more ______ than creatinine in the face of reduced GFR and can reflect more _____ changes in kidney function.
Rapidly, subtle
339
The angiotensin receptor blocking drug ______ has been used to treat hypertension in rabbits with renal disease.
Telmisartan
340
The gestation period of rabbits is _____.
30-32 days
Viable young may be born between day 29-35.
341
When can rabbits fetuses be visualized radio graphically?
After the 12th day of pregnancy
342
How long does parturition take in rabbits?
30 minutes
343
What percentage of intact female rabbit develop uterine neoplasia?
26.8%-60% depending on the paper
344
What percentage of rabbits uterine tumors metastasize?
46.2% (79.1% of those that metastasized spread to the lungs)
345
What breed of rabbit is particularly prone to uterine adenocarcinoma?
Dutch
346
What organism is most commonly implicated in infectious reproductive disorders in rabbit?
Pasteurella multocida
347
Are male or female rabbits more prone to developing GnRH increases associated with adrenal disease?
Males
348
What is the treatment of choice for adrenal disease in rabbits?
Deslorelin (may not be effective), Lupron (very short lived), adrenalectomy (preferred)
349
An 8 yo male rabbit presented for polydipsia and polyuria and a pathologic fracture was identified on radiographs. Calcium levels were >14 mmol/L. What is your top differential diagnosis?
1) kidney disease
2) hyperparathyroidism
3) hypoparathyroidism
2) hyperparathyroidism
350
Administration of which drug can cause hypoparathyroidism?
L-asparaginase
351
What is the common fur mite of rabbits?
Leporacarus gibbus
352
What is the rabbit flea?
Spilopsyllus cuniculi
353
What is the sucking louse of rabbits?
Haemodipsus ventricosis
354
What is the pinworm of rabbits?
Passalurus ambiguus
355
Where do cysts of Taenia pisiformis tend to develop?
In the mesentery
Migration of larvae through the liver causes fibrous tracts and necrotic foci
356
Where do cysts from Taenia serialis develop?
SQ or in the orbit
357
Where do cysts of Echinococcosis granulosus develop?
Liver or lung
358
What are the two most pathogenic intestinal Eimeria species of rabbits?
E. magna and E. irresidua
359
Once rabbits have recovered from coccidia infections, can they become reinfected?
No, they are immune (to that species at least)
360
Is E. Cuniculi gram negative or gram positive?
Gram negative
361
When does urinary shedding of spores start post infection with E. Cuniculi?
As early as day 28 post infection and as late as day 42 post infection
Shedding is highest at day 56 post infection
Shedding stops by 90 days post infection
362
What day post infection is the highest antibody response to E. Cuniculi?
Day 63
363
What does it mean if an asymptomatic rabbit has a positive IgG for ECUN with a negative IgM?
Latent infection
364
By what day post infection have E. Cuniculi organisms successfully spread throughout the brain, kidney, and heart?
Day 98
365
What E. Cuniculi strain infects rabbits?
Strain 1
366
What strain(s) of E. Cuniculi is found in rodents?
Strain 1 and Strain 2
367
What is the incidence rate of E. Cuniculi in pet rabbits?
36.8-69% depending on the study
368
How long can E. Cuniculi spores remain infective in the environment?
Up to 4 weeks
369
What disinfectants are effective against E. cuniculi?
Quats, 1% bleach, 70% ethanol
370
What are the usual signs of Toxoplasmosis in rabbits?
Sudden anorexia, pyrexia, and death +/- posterior paralysis or seizures
371
What is the seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis in rabbits?
11-37.5% depending on the study
(Usually 10-15%)
372
What parasite that encysts in cardiac and skeletal muscle can cause rabbits to develop ataxia, intentional tremors, and falling with torticollis, head tilt, and seizures?
Sarcocystis cuniculi
Ponazuril is the treatment of choice
Source of infection believed to be cats
373
Some rabbits can have rhinitis for up to ______ before Pasteurella multocida is isolated from nasal swabs.
2 weeks
374
Is the SQ or IN Pasteurella vaccine more effective in rabbits?
SQ is more effective
375
A pregnant doe presents with bloody vaginal discharge and death less than 24 hours after clinical signs developed. Postmortem findings include straw colored fluid in the peritoneal cavity, disseminated pale miliary foci in the liver, serosal ecchymotic hemorrhages, and visceral congestion. What is your top differential diagnoses?
Listeria monocytogenes (example case from Varga)
376
Bucks that recover from myxomatosis infections are infertile for how long?
Up to 12 months
377
How quickly do rabbits die of myxomatosis?
Usually fatal septicemia develops within 10-14 days of infection
378
How does resistance to myxomatosis develop?
Bucks mating within 7 months of infection sometimes confer partial resistance to progeny born to the mated die within the next 7 months
379
What organ is always affected in cases of RHD?
Liver
Severe congestion with hepatocyte necrosis; friable, pale, with lobular appearance
380
Rabbits <5 weeks of age are _____ to RHD1.
Immune
381
What percentage of early middle ear disease cases will be overlooked on skull radiographs in rabbits?
23% (De Matos 2010)
382
What is the appropriate way to assess vertebral heart score in rabbits?
R. Lateral radiography - compared long axis of heart and its width with T4 measured caudally to T9 (Onuma et Al 2010)
383
In a retrospective study of 5 rabbits with coxofemoral luxation, how many recurred after reduction?
3 out of 5
384
Hereditary compulsive self mutilation has been described in inbred ________ rabbits.
Checkered cross
385
Disseminated collagenous hamartomas are thought to have a _______ inheritance in ____ rabbits.
X-linked, male
386
What treatment is recommended for suspected toxoplasmosis in rabbits?
Sulfadiazene, pyrimethamine, and folinic acid/leucovorin combo therapy
387
What is expected recovery time for floppy rabbit syndrome?
2-4 days will make a full recovery
388
Gastric pyloric hypertrophy has been reported in what rabbit breed?
New Zealand white
389
Mammary dysplasia is only reported in which rabbit breed?
New Zealand white
(Usually aged primiparous does)
390
There is breed predisposition to Mammary carcinoma in which rabbit breeds?
Belgian, English Belgian, New Zealand white, and New Zealand white cross breeds
391
What drug can induce mammary hyperplasia in New Zealand white rabbits of either gender?
Cyclosporine A
392
What type of myxomatosis is usually seen in the US West coast?
Peracute infection - neuro signs such as convulsions, may not have other signs of myxomatosis
393
What is the classic form of myxomatosis called?
Acute myxomatosis or amyxomatous myxomatosis
394
Up to 50% of rabbits may survive infection which what type of myxomatosis infection?
Subacute infection
395
Where is spondylosis most commonly found in rabbits?
Lumbar spine
396
What was the incidence of renal disease in a study of 237 rabbits found dead or euthanized due to illness?
32.5%
397
What was the incidence rate of renal disease in 77 apparently healthy adult rabbits?
25%
398
What is the most common age related reproductive disorder(s) in rabbits?
Uterine adenocarcinoma (60-80% of does >3 years of age; Tan, French silver, Havana, and Dutch breeds predisposed; metastasizes within 1-2 years).
Endometrial hyperplasia/uterine polyps are also common.
399
What screening is recommended postop for rabbits spayed that had uterine adenocarcinoma?
Radiographs every 3-4 months for 2 years to screen for metastasis
400
Which rabbit breeds are predisposed to uterine adenocarcinoma?
Tan, French silver, Havana, Dutch
401
Where do rabbit uterine adenocarcinomas usually metastasize to?
Lungs, liver, brain, and bones
402
How many jaw movements per minute do rabbits make when chewing?
Up to 120/minute
403
What ions are secreted in rabbit saliva?
Potassium and bicarbonate
(Very little urea and lipase)
404
What do the parietal cells in the fundus of the rabbit stomach secrete?
Hydrochloric acid and intrinsic factor
405
What do the peptic cells in the rabbit stomach secrete?
Pepsinogen (a pepsin precursor)
406
During digestion of cecotrophs, what happens with the stomach of rabbits?
pH increases to 3.0 due to buffering effects of lactate produced by bacteria in the cecotrophs
407
What is the pH of the rabbit stomach during cecotroph digestion, and why?
pH increases to 3.0 due to buffering effects of lactate produced by bacteria in the cecotrophs
408
What is transit time of food in a normal rabbit stomach?
3-6 hrs
409
What is the name of the pancreatic duct(s) of rabbits?
There is only one pancreatic duct in rabbits - the accessory pancreatic duct. It opens at the junction of the transverse and ascending loops of the duodenum, and communicates with both pancreatic lobes.
410
What polypeptide hormone is secreted by enterochraffin cells of the duodenum and jejunum, and what is its function in rabbits?
Motilin
Stimulate gastrointestinal smooth muscle contractions
411
_____ stimulates motilin release, and _______ inhibits motilin release in rabbits.
A) protein, carbohydrate
B) fiber, carbohydrate
C) fat, carbohydrate
C) fat, carbohydrate
412
What part of the rabbit GIT does not contain motilin?
Cecum
413
How long do cecotrophs stay in the gastric fundus before being digested?
6-8 hrs
414
What enzyme secreted by the colon is incorporated into the cecotroph as it moves through the large intestine?
Lysozyme
This enzyme has bacteriolytic activity and enables microbial protein to be degraded and absorbed from the small intestine.
415
What enzyme is produced by bacteria within the rabbit cecotroph?
Amylase
Converts glucose into carbon dioxide and lactic acid which is absorbed from the stomach and small intestine
416
Why is rabbit pancreatic amylase production low?
There are alternative sources of amylase (saliva and cecotrophs).
Ligation of pancreatic duct does not result in pancreatic insufficiency
417
The sacculus rotundus opens into the ______ which forms a junction between the _____, ______, and ______.
Ampulla caecalis coli
Ileum
Cecum
Proximal colon
418
What cauliflower like protrusions into the colon are unique to rabbits?
Warzen
Increases surface area and assists in mechanical separation of intestinal contents
419
Prostaglandins ____ motility of the proximal colon and _____ the distal colon.
A) inhibit, stimulate
B) stimulate, inhibit
C) stimulate, stimulate
A) inhibit, stimulate
Aids in elimination of cecotrophs
May allow treatment of cecal impactions (salvage treatment, can have other negative impacts)
420
The transit time of cecotrophs through the colon is _______ faster than that for hard feces.
A) 1.5-2.5x
B) 2.5-3.5x
C) 3.5-4.5x
A) 1.5-2.5x
421
What secretion from goblet cells in the cecal mucosa serves as a significant carbohydrate source for cecal fermentation?
Mucopolysaccharides
Particular energy source for Bacteroides spp.
422
What large sluggish amoeba is found in high numbers in the lumen of the large intestine of the healthy rabbit?
Entamoeba cuniculi
423
What flagellated protozoan is found in the duodenum of the healthy rabbit?
Giardia duodenalis
Does not cause clinical disease
424
What nonpathogenic Protozoa are found in the cecum of healthy rabbits?
Eutrichomastix, Enteromonas, and Retortamonas
425
How many species of LAMB have been isolated from rabbit cecal mucosa?
Over 74 strains, many not speciated
Lactobacillus and E. coli are usually absent from healthy rabbits, but may be found in rabbits fed a high carb low fiber diet.
426
In rabbits, which volatile fatty acid is found in highest %?
A) acetic acid
B) butyric acid
C) proprionic acid
A) acetic acid - 60-70%. Production increases with increased fiber ingestion.
VFAs are in alphabetic order according to quantity produced in rabbits…
Butyric acid 15-20%
Proprionic acid 10-15%
This is different from ruminants - their predominant VFA is proprionate produced by Lactobacillus. Rabbits don’t have lactobacillus in their cecums, though!
427
Which VFA inhibits peristalsis in rabbits?
Butyric acid
428
In rabbits, glutamine deamination to produce ammonia buffer only occurs in response to ________, not a drop in plasma pH.
Reduced serum bicarbonate concentrations
This compromises the rabbits response to metabolic acidosis.
429
Why are rabbits also prone to metabolic alkalosis (although this is rare when they are acutely sick)?
Insufficient ammonia is available from tissue metabolism to neutralize bicarbonate during periods of protein deficit - large bicarbonate load can reach the kidneys as a normal bi-product of acetate metabolism
430
What is the most indigestible form of fiber?
Lignin
Present in large quantities of wood, hulls, and straw
Lignin content increases in plants that are older
431
Indigestible fiber is composed of particles larger than ______mm and is made up primarily of _____ and _____.
0.3-0.5
Lignin and cellulose
432
What compounds are known as prebiotics and stimulate the growth of Bacteroides in rabbit cecums while inhibiting growth of pathogenic species?
Fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS)
433
In rabbits, a reduction in morbidity after the introduction of pathogenic E. coli was reported in rabbits fed a ________ supplemented diet.
Fructo-oligosaccharide (FOS)
434
A study showed supplementing ______ improved weight gain and feed intake in rabbits, with no significant effect on the cecal bacteria or on M&M in weaning rabbits.
Fructo-oligosaccharide (FOS)
FOS’s are included in many rabbit diets now.
435
What VFA is the primary energy source for the rabbit cecal epithelium and which bacteria produces it?
Butyrate, Bacteroides spp.
Butyrate is also important in regulation of cecal pH (optimum 5.7-6.1) and high levels of butyrate inhibits normal peristalsis of the gut. Fasting reduces butyrate production.
436
Which VFA is important in regulation of fecal pH?
Butyrate (optimum cecal pH 5.7-6.1)
437
High levels of what VFA inhibits normal peristalsis of the rabbit gut?
Butyrate
438
______ reduces butyrate production.
Fasting
439
VFAs provide up to ____% of maintenance energy requirements of rabbits.
40%
440
What percentage of rabbits were found to have gastric ulcers on a postmortem assessment of 1000 rabbits?
7.3%
Mostly female
Mostly in late gestation/parturition
Most ulcers found in the fundic region and did not exhibit significant tissue reaction; 2% were in the pyloric region, and those had often perforated the mucosa.
441
What are the two most pathogenic intestinal coccidia organisms in rabbits?
Eimeria intestinalis and Eimeria flavescens.
442
What enterotoxins are produced by clostridial organisms?
C. perfringens: iota toxin type E
C. spiriforme: binary iota-like enterotoxin called CST; CSTb allows entry into the cell and CSTa enzyme leads to the depolymerization of microfilaments and disruption of the cell's internal structure. Neutralized by antiserum to C. perfringens iota E toxin.
C. difficile: exotoxins A and B
C. piliforme: no enterotoxin production!
443
What are the three types of actions in the masticatory sequence?
Type 1: jaw opens and closes during prehension
Type 2: chewing/grinding of food
Type 3: preswallowing jaw movements
444
What symbiotic yeast lines the stomach of rabbits and chinchillas?
Cyniclomyces guttulatus (Saccharomycopsis guttulata)
445
What is the fermentation efficiency rate for plant oligosaccharides in rabbits?
Pectin > hemicellulose > cellulose > lignin
446
What is the most common intestinal coccidia of rabbits?
Eimeria perforans.
ABVP ARM Study Qs
flashcards
Decks in class (31)
# Cards
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Myomorph Rodents474
-
Mini Pigs53
-
Rabbit/Rodent Dental Disease189
-
Ferrets481
-
Rabbits450
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Guinea Pigs255
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Chinchillas113
-
Sciuridae26
-
Hedgehogs107
-
Sugar Glider28
-
Pharmacology7
-
Myomorph Rodents #2303
-
Surgery29
-
Clinical Pathology196
-
General Knowledge31
-
Canadian Vet Journal Articles31
-
Veterinary Surgery Articles36
-
Veterinary AnesthesiaAnalgesia37
-
J Exotic Pet Med243
-
VetRecord Case Reports45
-
Veterinary Ophthalmology16
-
JAVMA78
-
VCNA Exotics495
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AJVR14
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J Vet Dx Investigation32
-
Cardiology6
-
J Small Animal Practice32
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Vet Dermatology2
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J Lab Animal Science11
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Vet Radiol Ultrasound22
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VCNA Exotics 288
