Rabbits 🐇

Question 1

What are the scientific & Latin names for rabbits?

Answer 1

scientific = Lagomorphs

Latin = Oryctolagus cuniculus

Question 2

In reference to rabbits, what are does, bucks, kits, and fryers? 🐰

Answer 2

Doe = female rabbit
Buck = male rabbit
Kits = neonates
Fryers = raised for food

Question 3

What was the original purpose for raising rabbits in the 1600’s?

Answer 3

Raised for meat & fur

Question 4

How do rabbits mark their scent on objects?

Answer 4

By rubbing their chin on the object.

Question 5

How may a rabbit act when it is aggressive?

Answer 5

They will scratch, bite, growl/grunt, and lunge forward.

Question 6

T/F? Rabbits can be litter box trained.

Answer 6

True!

Question 7

T/F? Neutered rabbits are often more aggressive than sexually mature/intact rabbits.

Answer 7

False! Sexually mature/intact are the aggressive ones.

Question 8

Female rabbits can re-breed within ___ of parturition, which means they can produce up to ___ litters per year.

Answer 8

24 hours; 11 litters

Question 9

How often does a female mother rabbit nurse her young?

Answer 9

Once a day if they are wild, or more often if domesticated.

Question 10

Are rabbit kits born precocial or altricial?

Answer 10

Altricial, born blind & hairless.

Question 11

T/F? Rabbits cannot vomit.

Answer 11

True!

Question 12

What is important to know about restraining a rabbit?

Answer 12

• never restrain by the ears, they are fragile.
• they have a high bone-to-muscle ratio = high risk of fracture or luxation.

Question 13

What is the rabbit’s dental formula?

Answer 13

I (2/1), C (0/0), P (3/0), M (3/3)

Question 14

What is important to know about a rabbit’s teeth?

Answer 14

They are open-rooted and grow continuously = need things to chew on safely.

Question 15

Rabbits are considered “______” and will eat ______ to help with _______.

Answer 15

Cecotophs; night feces or soft feces; gut health.

Question 16

What are 5 important things to consider when acquiring housing for your rabbit?

Answer 16

1. can be housed indoors OR outdoors with adequate shelter
2. they love to chew = avoid unsafe materials within their housing
3. keep protected from drafts & extreme temps (especially heat = heat stress)
4. do not house more than one rabbit together
5. require environmental enrichment (hiding places, chew toys, 24/7 access to hay)

Question 17

What should you feed a rabbit? And what should you NOT feed a rabbit?

Answer 17

• rationed amount of nutritionally-complete pellets, made of timothy hay or alfalfa
• free choice hay and fresh foods
• 24/7 access to water
• Avoid seeds + nuts, bc too hard on GI tract.

Question 18

____ is a bacterial disease, which causes “Snuffles” in rabbits. This presents with _____.

Answer 18

Pasteurella; sneezing, conjunctivitis, mucopurulent discharge, abscesses, many different things.

Question 19

What are the causes + signs + treatment for “Gastric Stasis Syndrome” in rabbits?

Answer 19

• Cause: improper diet, bacterial change in diet, high sugar diet (lacks roughage)
• Signs: painful bloating, stop pooping
• Tx: Oxbow Critical Care food + SubQ fluids + add more roughage to diet

Question 20

What are the 3 main digestive diseases seen in rabbits? 🐇

Answer 20

Coccidia, Tyzzer’s Disease, E. Coli

Question 21

How does Coccidia present in rabbits, and why does it often occur?

Answer 21

• Coccidia presents with fulminant (severe, sudden) diarrhea.
• Juvenile rabbits kept in poor, stressful conditions.

Question 22

What bacterium causes Tyzzer’s Disease in weanling rabbits?

Answer 22

Clostridum piliforme

Question 23

What is important to know about E. Coli in relation to rabbits?

Answer 23

• mainly affects young rabbits
• presents with yellow diarrhea
• high mortality rate (~ 48 hr)

Question 24

What are the alternate names for an ear mite infestation in rabbits?

Answer 24

“Ear mange” or “ear canker”

Question 25

What is "Psoroptes cuniculi" and how does it affect rabbits, with what signs?

Answer 25

- ear mites - can cause pruititis, head shaking, head tilt, stress - signs: exudate + inflammation in the rabbit's ears

Question 26

Venereal Spirochetosis is caused by the bacterium "Treponema paraluis cuniculi" and is also called ____ or ____.

Answer 26

Rabbit syphilis or Vent disease.

Question 27

How is "rabbit syphilis" transmitted, and what are the signs of it?

Answer 27

- transmitted by coitus, or facial-genital contact - signs are erythema or edema of the prepuce, vulva, scrotum, perineum, or anus

Question 28

What is "blue fur disease" in rabbits, and why is it called that?

Answer 28

- Moist dermatitis - called that because the bacterium (Pseudomonas aeruginosa) gives fur a blue-green tint + fruity smell

Question 29

What is "hutch burn" in rabbits, and how is it caused?

Answer 29

Moist dermatitis of perineal area; caused by urine/diarrhea scalding.

Question 30

What is "slobbers" in rabbits, and what causes it?

Answer 30

Moist dermatitis around face, neck, dewlap; caused by malocclusion or continual moistening from water bowl.

Question 31

Pasteurella, Streoptococci, or Staphylococcus aureus can cause ____ in lactating rabbit does.

Answer 31

Mastitis, infection of the mammary glands

Question 32

Dermatophytosis, aka _____, can be caused by 7 different bacterium, and usually presents with red, raised lesions around the head/ears of rabbits.

Answer 32

Ringworm

Question 33

What can cause ringworm in rabbits?

Answer 33

Stress from poor husbandry, poor nutrition, environmental/internal factors, overcrowding, excessive heat, pregnancy, youth/old age.

Question 34

Cheyletiella parasitovorax, aka "_____" are burrowing sarcoptid mites found on rabbits.

Answer 34

"Walking dandruff"

Question 35

What kind of diagnostic test do you use to identify Salmonellosis in rabbits?

Answer 35

Diagnosis made off culture of blood, feces, bile, lymph nodes, or affected organs.

Question 36

T/F? Rabbits should be vaccinated for rabies.

Answer 36

False! There is no vaccine for rabies in rabbits.

Question 37

Overgrown teeth, aka ______, is very common in rabbits.

Answer 37

Malocclusion

Question 38

What can cause traumatic vertebral subluxation or fractures in rabbits?

Answer 38

Improper restraint or handling, or sudden jumping.

Question 39

Like guinea pigs, rabbits can get "______" from poor sanitation/husbandry, excessive environment moisture, foot stomping, and wire-bottom cages.

Answer 39

Ulcerative pododermatitis

Question 40

Which teeth of a rabbit should be looked at during a physical exam, and why?

Answer 40

Both front AND back teeth, to check for any signs of malocclusion/overgrowth.

Question 41

How should clients be advised to transport/bring in their rabbits to the clinic?

Answer 41

In a secure carrier; NOT in their arms, blankets, etc.

Question 42

What are the standard vaccines rabbits receive? 💉

Answer 42

There are NONE at this time.

Question 43

When do they suggest spaying a female rabbit?

Answer 43

5 months of age

Question 44

What are the benefits of neutering male & female rabbits?

Answer 44

Decreases aggression, and prevents ovarian / mammary / uterine cancers.

Question 45

What are the significant risks of improperly handling a rabbit?

Answer 45

Rabbit can hurt itself by jumping (fracture, luxation) and hurt restrainer by scratching with claws.

Question 46

T/F? You should never scruff a rabbit.

Answer 46

False! Scruffing while supporting hindquarters is recommended.

Question 47

How should you return a rabbit to its cage, and why?

Answer 47

You should return it rear-end first to prevent major injury.

Question 48

Where can you place an IV catheter in rabbits, and which is the most common site?

Answer 48

- marginal ear veins (most common) - cephalic veins - lateral saphenous

Question 49

How can you collect urine from a rabbit patient?

Answer 49

- collection from clean cage pan - cystocentesis - urinary catheter (+/- sometimes)

Question 50

Why would you perform a fecal test on a rabbit? 💩

Answer 50

To check for internal parasites.

Question 51

T/F? Thick, white urine in rabbits can be considered normal.

Answer 51

True!

Question 52

What is the most common way to administer medication to rabbits?

Answer 52

SubQ injection, in intrascapular location.

Question 53

Where can you administer IV meds in rabbits, and how much can be given this route?

Answer 53

- given in marginal ear veins, cephalic veins, saphenous veins - up to 5 mL of fluid

Question 54

When giving a rabbit medication subcutaneously, you can give up to _____ of fluids.

Answer 54

10-20 mL

Question 55

T/F? It is fairly common to administer meds to rabbit via the IP route.

Answer 55

False! IP is rarely used in rabbits.

Question 56

Where can you give a rabbit IM injections?

Answer 56

in the lumbar muscles or quadriceps - avoiding the sciatic nerve.

Question 57

Where is the preferred location for IO medications in rabbits, and why would it be warranted?

Answer 57

- Tibia - situations where IV not possible, or when any delay could affect the survival of the rabbit

Question 58

How can you tell if a rabbit is male or female? 🐰

Answer 58

- Females have dewlaps on throat, and vulva has a slit located directly below anus - Males do NOT have a dewlap, and their penises have a circular hole, located directly below anus, obvious testicles are sometimes present

Question 59

In reference to rabbits, what is a "dewlap?"

Answer 59

Dewlap = loose fold of skin or "double chin" seen on throat of female rabbits

Question 60

Why should you not house guinea pigs with rabbits, and vice versa?

Answer 60

They can cross contaminate Bordetella spp.

Question 61

What is a possible differential diagnosis for Gastric Stasis Syndrome?

Answer 61

Dental disease; check mouth for overgrown teeth.