What is the average lifespan of the rabbit?
6-10 years
When are rabbits active?
nocturnal
Describe the dentition of the rabbit
- open-rooted teeth
- extra pair of incisors called “peg teeth”
Describe the reproductive parameters of the rabbit
- induced ovulators
- gestation 30-33 days
- babies born blind
- testes descend at 3 months
What are common reproductive issues in rabbits?
- post-partum estrus
- uterine cancer
- males spray and mount
Describe cecotrophy in the rabbits
- cecotropes produced in early morning/night
- provide B vitamins and amino acids produced by bacteria in cecum
- stimulated by high fiber diet
Describe normal urine/urination in a rabbit
- infrequent, large amounts
- calciuria (chalky white)
- normal route of calcium excretion
- porphyrins (rusty orange)
- high pH, ammonia, crystals
What are the venipuncture sites in the rabbit?
- lateral saphenous
- cephalic vein
- jugular
- ear vein
What are common enteric pathogens in rabbits?
E. coli
Clostridium spiroforme
Which antibiotics should not be used in rabbits?
- beta-lactams
- cephalosporins
- oral penicillins
- lincomycin, clindamycin, erythromycin
- selective gram-positive
Which antibiotics are good choices in rabbits?
- quinolones
- sulfa drugs
- chloramphenicol
- penicillin (injectable only)
- metronidazole
- azithromycin
Describe the stomach of a rabbit
- simple stomach
- large and non-distensible
- low pH
- muscular pylorus
- inability to vomit
Describe the small intestines of the rabbit
- narrow intestines
- long and convoluted jejunum
- ileocecal valve: sacculus rotundus
What is the purpose of the fusiform coli?
a pacemaker
- helps with peristalsis
What is the purpose of fiber in the rabbit diet?
- fiber is the driving force of the GI tract
- insoluble fiber acts as a motility modifier
What are the dietary recommendations for the rabbit?
- high fiber, low carbs
- grass hay
- leafy greens
- low pelleted ration, fruit, and treats
What are common diet-related disorders in the rabbit?
- gastric stasis
- hairballs
- impactions
- dysbiosis
- diarrhea
- obesity
What are the signs of GI stasis?
- decreased stool production
- lack of appetite
- painful abdomen
- hypothermia
- shock
How is GI stasis treated?
- oral and parenteral fluids
- GI motility modifiers: metaclopromide and cisapride
- pain management: buprenorphine
- GI gas management: simethicone
- exercise
What is the normal temperature of a rabbit?
101-104 F
What is a cause of true diarrhea in rabbits?
Eimeria spp.
Coccidia
Describe urine sludging in rabbits
- severe crystalluria
- accumulation of sludge
- painful, dysuria
- often in sedentary rabbits
How is urinary sludge treated?
- urinary catheter
- warm saline flush and massage
- SC fluids and buprenorphine
- NSAID at home
What is “snuffles” and what is the common cause?
- upper respiratory tract infection
- rhinitis, sinusitis, dacryocystitis
- Pasteurella multocida
