Rabbits
warrens
European rabbits live in groups called _________
atropinesterase
many rabbits produce __________ that causes faster metabolism of atropine
epiphora (obstruction -> epiphora)
rabbits have a narrow nasolacrimal duct that is prone to ____________
venous plexus
rabbits have an extensive _____________ that may lead to hemorrhage during enucleation
European Rabbits (Oryctolagus)
these types of rabbits are social, live in groups, make burrows, young ar born blind, and hairless (atricial), includes domestic rabbits
Proliferative enteropaty
this affects weanlings. Typically resolves in 1-2 weeks. May die if secondary infection occurs. diagnose by culture, stain, PCR, immunohistochemistry
True
true or false: rabbits are very sensitive to antibiotics that alter their normal GI flora such as penicillins (esp. oral forms), lincomycin, clindamycin, erythromycin, and cephalosporins
true
true or false: rabbits have delicate skin that can easily tear
true
true or false: traces of protein and glucose are normal in rabbit urine
true
true or false: when placing a rabbit into cage, you should place them in caudal end first
Hares- Lepus
type of rabbit that is solitary, builds nest above ground and does not live in burrows. Young are born with fur and with eye open (precotial). Large and have longer ears and legs
Enterotoxemia
Abdominal pain, hunched posture, teeth grinding, anorexia, and watery diarrhea are all signs of ________ in rabbits
Mucoid enteritis
Clinical signs in newly weaned rabbits with mucous in feces and abdominal pain
Sarcoptic mange
Clinical signs of this in rabbits includes crusts and pruritus
Rabbit hemorrhagic disease
Fever and sudden death (may see GI signs, neuro signs, or may be asymptomatic). Fever > coagulopathy > hemorrhages.
Tyzzer's disease
In weanlings, with severe GI signs,
excess dietary calcium and alkaline urine
What causes urolithiasis in rabbits
Passalurus ambiguss
What is a common pinworm in rabbits
Psoroptes cuniculi
What is the causative agent for otocariasis (ear mites)
Clostridium piliforme (ingested in poor sanitary conditions)
What is the causative agent of Tyzzer's Disease
-from the nasal cavity, the bacteria can travel to: -blood (lungs, heart, trachea, sub q tissue) -trachea: lung (pneumonia) -Nasolacrimal duct- conjunctival sac (conjunctiva) -Eustachian tube: middle ear, inner ear, brain (neuro signs)
What is the pathogenesis of Pasturellosis in rabbits
Rabbit (shope) fibroma virus
a pox virus affecting cottontail rabbits
Myxomatossi
a pox virus that occurs in production colonies and wild rabbits in Western US. It is transmitted by arthropods (mosquitoes and fleas
Tularemia
a zoonotic and reportable disease of rabbits
Colibacillosis
affects neonates and weanlings, diagnosis is through culture and EM
Bordetella bronchiseptica
asymptomatic carriers or sneezing/coughing in older rabbits, may transmit to other species.
Pasturellosis (snuffles)
clinical signs in rabbits include: -rhinitis -conjunctivitis - abscess (pulmonary=bad prognosis) -otitis media or interna -pyometra or orchitis
Cheyletiella
clinical signs include hair loss and white moving flakes
uterine adenocarcinoma
decreased fertility, abortion, bleeding are all signs of what in rabbits
splay leg
developmental problem in young rabbits. few days to few months old -autosomal recessive trait -disorders of femur or hip-unable to abduct one or more limbs
28-33 days
how long is gestation in rabits
Papillomatosis
oral papillomas on tongue or mouth (domestic rabbits) -warts on neck, shoulders, ears, abdomen- -self-limiting
day 12
pregnancy in rabbits can be detected by papation when?
taenia serilais T. pisiformis
rabbits are intermediate hosts for what tapeworms? They have no clinical signs
lymphosarcoma seen in younger animals (less than 2, may be a genetic predisposition)
second most common neoplasia in rabbits
Rabbit (shope) Fibroma Virus
signs of this in rabbits include tumor on legs, feet, and ears. Regress after several months. Little significance in domestic rabbits
counter-current heat exchange mechanism
the ears of a rabbit are highly vascular and make up 12% of body surface area, they serve as __________
hypsodont (grow continuously
the growing characteristics of rabbit teeth are that they are _______________
lumbar fracture
the large muscle mass of a rabbit predisposes it to ________
Coccidiosis
the rabbit may not be clinical but may be a poor doer, may find hepatic lesions on necropsy and can diagnose through fecal flotations
true
true or false: domestic rabbits do well with other species
Cottontails -Sylvilagus
type of rabbit that likes to be solitary, build nests above ground but may live in the burrows of other species, young are born blind and hairless (altricial)
Pasteurella and dental disease
what are causes of abscesses in rabbits
-genetic-long mandible (prognathism) -developmental-pulling on wire
what are causes of malocclusion of incisors
ketamine xylazine
what are some alternatives to intubation in a rabbit
-prolific shedders -small stomach lumen with strong pyloric sphincters (difficult for hair to pass through -unable to vomit -insufficent fiber in diet -hair
what are some predisposing factors to Trichobezoar
no effective treatmtent -prevention: sanitation and screening of breeding livestock
what are some treatment options for encephalitozoonosis
-enlarged anterior chamber -corneal cloudiness -corneal ulceration -variable severity, may be non painful
what are the clinical signs of glaucoma in rabbits
intestinal and hepatic
what are the two forms of Coccidiosis
pulmonary abscesses
what is a poor prognosis of Pasteurellosis in rabbits
Cheyletiella parasitivorax
what is the causative agent for walking dnadruff
Eimeria spp
what is the causative agent of Coccidiosis (common)
Francisella tularensis rare in domestic rabbits, wild rabbits and rodents are most susceptible
what is the cause of Tularemia
I (2/1), C (0/0), PM (3/2), M(3/3) x2
what is the dental formula for rabbits
wire cages at 50-70F, and use of misters if needed
what is the idea
5-8 years
what is the lifespan of a rabbit
l7
what is the most common site of vertebral dislocation or fracture
alkaline ph 8.2
what is the normal pH of rabbit urine
101-104
what is the normal temperature in the rabbit
progressive starvation
what is the sequela to malocclusion of incisors
small pox vaccine
what prevents rabbitpox
No frontoline (Fipronil)
what rabbit flea treatment cannot be used
cold -cannot sweat -pant ineffectively -do not increase water intake -sensitive to temps above 82 F
what temperature do rabbits tolerate better, cold or heat?
10-13 hours after mating induced ovulation
what type of ovulation does a rabbit have
calicivirus
what type of virus is rabbit hemorrhagic disease
rotavirus
widespread, fecal-oral with weanlings most susceptible. Mildly pathogenic unless secondary bacterial infection. Self-limiting-stop breeding to break cycle
Trichophyton mentagrophytes Microsporum canis
what are the types of dermatophytosis in rabbits
Treponema cuniculu
what causes rabbit syphilis
-If continent and pain sensation is intact -> steroids and cage rest -If severe, euthanasia
How do you treat spinal fracture in the rabbit
-fluids -pain medication -anitulcer -proiotics -motility stimulatn (Metoclopromide) -surgery
How do you treat the more advanced stages of Trichobezoar in rabbits with signs of anorexia, gas, distension, or pain
medical: debride and topical and oral antibiotics Husbandry: cage sanitation, weight loss, cage flooring/resting board, nail trim
How do you treat ulcerative pododermatitis
-If continent and pain sensation intact- steroids and cage rest -Euthanasia
How do you treat vertebral dislocation or fracture in rabbits
Ivermectin -Permethrin dust -treat environment
How do you treat walking dandruff in rabbits
veneral and dam to kit
How is Treponematosis transmitted aka rabbit syphilis
HIGHLY contagious- spread by direct contact or fomites
How is rabbit hemorrhagic disease spread
aerosol, ingestion, ectoparasites (fleas, ticks)
How is tularemia in transmission
Urolithiasis
Lethargy, Hemturia, stranguira, anuria, perineal weness, urine scalding, and enlarged bladder are all signs of what in a rabbit?
brown fat
Rabbits don't possess ________ the produces heat, so when they are cold they just shiver
dental pattern
Rabbits were originally classified in Order Rodentia but are now classified as order lagomorpha based on ________-
-complete immobility or flight response -thump hind feet -vocalization-scream
What are signs of fear in a rabbit
-hunched posture -immobility -tooth grinding -aggression
What are signs of pain in rabits
-mandibular incisors grow in anterior direction -maxillary incisors curl inside mouth
What are the clinical signs of malocclusion of incisors
-rough cage floor -dirty cage -heavy rabbit -overgrown toenail
What are the predisposing factors for ulcerative pododermatitis
55 mg/kg 10% of blood volume may be safely taken every 2 weeks
What is the blood volume of a rabbit and how mcuh can be taken
-stress -change in cecal flora -obstipation of cecum
What is the pathogenesis of Mucoid Enteritis in rabbits
-Larvae of Cuterebra species (bot flies) may infect rabbits in warm weather -larvae pupate in the subcutaneous tissue (dorsum, axillary, inguinal, ventral cervical) -subcutaneous swelling with breathing hole containing larvae -rabbit may become weak, anorectic, dehydrated, lame, and shocky -larvae may migrate to CNS if you crush the larva the animal may go into an anaphylactic reaction
What is the pathogenesis to Myiasis (cuterebra)
bordetella ronchiseptica
You should avoid domestic rabbits with guinea pigs due to risk of ____________________ because guinea pigs are very susceptible
fiber
________ maintains motility of cecum and colon, prevents enteritis from hypomotility, and promotes normal tooth wear, it is the key to a healthy rabbit preventing obesity, behavior problems from boredom in a rabbit.
Pasturellosis - Snuffles
a common and significant disease of rabbits, most rabbits are asymptomatic carriers -subclinical infection develops into overt disease when stressed
Trichobezoar
loss of appetite, absent or diminished feces and the animal may even be AR in early stages are all signs of what in rabbits
-heavy lactation -poor sanitation -Staph, Strep -Trauma (rough nest box)
What are some causes of mastitis in rabbits
-newly weaned -antibitoic therapy -dietary change
What are some predisposing factors to enterotoxemia
-Advantage (Imidaclopride- cat dose 2-3 areas along dorsum) -Program (Lufenuron) -Revolution (selamectin) -Pyrethrins (topically as directed for puppies and kittens
What are some rabbit flea treatments
Sarcoptes scabei Notoedres cati
What are the causes of Sarcoptic mange in rabbit (rare)
Encephalitozoon cuniculi-protozoal parasite shed in urine
What cases encephalitozoonosis
E. coli (serotype 0103)-normal rabbits don't have GI E. coli
What causes colibacillosis
Pasturella multocida
What causes snuffles in rabbits
antibiotics (mild cases) -if severe, cull; be sure to disinfect environment
How do you Treat Colibacillosis
Medical Treatment: -manual expression of bladder -flushing with balanced electrolyte solution -acidify urine -reduce dietary calcium Surgical Treatment: cystotomy and nephrectomy
How do you Treat Urolithiasis in a rabbit
-culture -serology -PCR
How do you diagnose Pasteurellosis
-Spirochete -skin scraping -silver stain -dark field microscopy -serology (in rabbitries)
How do you diagnose Treponematosis (rabbit syphilis)
Intracellular bacteria on special stains and serology no treatment, disinfect environment
How do you diagnose and treat Tyzzer's disease in rabbits
fungal culture and KOH prep zoonotic- wear gloves
How do you diagnose dermatophytosis in rabbits
-anaerobic fecal culture -gram stain of fecal smear -helically coiled semicircular rods
How do you diagnose enterotoxemia
necropsy-hepatic necrosis or serology
How do you diagnose rabbit hemorrhagic disease
-microscopic exam of tape test or skin scrape
How do you diagnose walking dandruff in rabbit
-Avoid rapid diet changes and stress
How do you prevent Mucoid enteritis in rabbits
-minimize stress -make feed changes gradually -do not wean too early (4-6 weeks) -Use appropriate antibiotics (+/- probiotics) -*fiber* (normal peristalsis moves bacteria to cecum and colon for fermentation
How do you prevent enterotoxemia in rabbits
prevent by restricting dog access to rabbit food and nesting material
How do you prevent tapeworms in rabbits
Enrofloxacin C and S
How do you treat Bordetella in rabbits
-Supportive care (fluids and high fiber diet) -Motility modifiers (metaclopramide) -analgesics -Probiotics (transfaunation or critical care) -Cholestyramine (ion resin that binds toxin)
How do you treat Enterotoxemia
-Supportive (fluids) -Enemas (constipation) -Antibiotics-unreliable results -high mortality -avoid rapid diet change, stress
How do you treat Mucoid enteritis
-surgical prep -enlarge breathing hole -gently remove larvae (do not crush) -debride necrotic tissue -antibiotics to prevent secondary infection -prevention: fly control
How do you treat Myiasis (cuterebra)
-lesions typically resolve in 10-14 days and are no longer infectious -asymptomatic carriers may show signs when stressed -*injectable penicillin*
How do you treat Treponematosis
-viscous consistency and can be difficult to lance and drain -treatment is by lancing/draining/flush + antibiotics or surgical excision
How do you treat abscesses in rabbits
-In Rabbitries-culture or serology to detect carriers and cull -Pets: Enrofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, injectible penicillin, chloramphenicol -Treatment may not eliminate organism
How do you treat and prevent Pasteurellosis in rabbitries and pets
Coccidiostats (sulfas) -sanitation (10% ammonia)
How do you treat coccidiosis in rabbits
lime sulfur or Griseofulvin
How do you treat dermatophytosis
-Ivermectin or selamectin -Meloxicam or prednisone -do not clean ears (will increase pruritus) Otocariasis- Psoroptes cuniculi
How do you treat ear mites in rabbits
Lawsonia Intracellularis
Proliferative Enteropathy is caused by ________________
high dietary calcium
Alfalfa hay combined with alfalfa based pellets may cause urolithiasis due to ______________
-yellow to brown or red and turbid due to mineral precipitates (Ca) -pigments cause color and red is not hematuria -can rule out hematuria by doing urine sediment exam or checking dipstick -normal to find traces of protein and glucose
Explain rabbit urine
-palpate a doughy mass in area of stomach -radiographs: Ingesta-filled stomach in anorectic rabbit
How do you diagnose Trichobezar in rabbits
-cool environment -brushing -enrichment -fiber, fiber, fiber
How do you prevent Trichobezoar in rabbits
lymphosarcoma (no effective treatment)
If a young rabbit has masses in liver, kidney, or spleen or generalized lymphadenopathy what should you suspect and what should you do
stomach (15% ingesta) cecum (40% ingesta)
In regards to the GI tract, rabbits have a large _________ and _________, you should use care when making an abdominal incision
protein and B vitamins coprophagia is needed- consider this when applying an e-collar
Night feces in rabbits contains ________ and _______ which are absorbed on their second pass through GI tract, these feces also have a protective mucous covering
-Buprenorphine -Butorphanol -Carprofen -Flunixin -Meloxican
Pain control is important to promote eating post op in a rabbit, what are some pain drugs that can be used
calcium carbonate and triple phospahte crystals
Rabbit urine is high in ___________ and _______ crystals
lymphoid tissue aka *cecal tonsil*
The terminal ileum is dilated and has a large amount of __________ in rabbits
no
can rabbits vomit?
female
does a male or female have a dewlap
-may react adversely (jump, scream) to barbiturate IV -should premedicate with keatmine/xylazine -diluet euthanasia 1:1 with saline
explain euthanasia for rabbits
-two uterine horns -two cervices -NO uterien body -duplex uterus so must incise into each horn during c-section
explain the anatomy of the female reproductive tract in the rabbit
fiber -> peristalsis -> hard day feces - non-fiber -> anti-peristalsis -> fermentation in cecum -> contraction of cecum -> soft night feces
explain the feces of a rabbit and how the day and night feces are formed
autosomal recessive in new zealand whites
glaucaoma is genetic in what rabbit breed
no
is fasting required in a rabbit before anesthesia
enamel denticn
rabbit teeth have _______ on the front and _________ on the back
herbivores
rabbits are non-ruminant __________ with large hindgut (large cecum for microbial dig
peg teeth
rabbits have _____________ behind maxillary incisors
-Fluoroquinolones (cipro and enroflocaxin- but injectables may cause sterile abscesses) -Trimethoprim sulfa -sulfadimethoxine -chloramphnicol -metronidazole -INJECTABLE penicillin (rabbit syphilis)
what are some safe antibiotics for rabbits
-fragile skeleton -lots of muscle -inappropriate handling
what are the predisposing factors of vertebral dislocation or fracture
Chin, anal, and inguinal
what are the scent glands of the rabbit
uterine adenocarcinoma (over 50% of female rabbits over age 5)
what is the most common tumor in rabbits
306-333 bpm
what is the normal average heart rate of the rabbit
-facial abscesses -oral lesions -Proptosis and/or epiphora (maxillary teeth invade orbit)
what is the sequela to malocculsion of molars in rabbits
4-6 months
what is the sexual maturity age of the rabbit
OHE- can be preventative if done at < 2 years of age
what is the treatment for uterine adenocarcinoma in rabbits
day and night feces
what is unique about a rabbits feces
light skeleton with powerful muscles
what makes rabbits capable of rapid bursts of speed
8%
what percent of rabbits body weight is skeletal mass
Acepromazine
what sedation would you use for restraint on rabbits
-conentrate: measured amount of alfalfa based bellets -Fiber (~20%): free choice quality grass hay such as Timothy- alfalfa hay combined with alfalfa based pellets may cause urolithiasis due to high dietary calcium. -avoid fruits high in simple sugar (apples, raisins) may cause GI upset
what should the diet be for a rabbit
lumbar musculature and cranial to femur
where can IM injections be placed in
-central (auricular) artery for blood collections, larger volumes -Marginal vein for IV injections, IV catheters (start distally because it may cause ear to slough) and for collections small volume blood samles -jugular -cephalic -lateral saphenous
where can you gain vascular access in a rabbitt
urine sediment exam or dipstick
How do you tell if rabbit urine is hematuria or not
-Bromelain (pineapple) -Papain (papaya) -hay or straw
How do you treat Trichobezoar in the early stages when only anorexia is present
supportive care or euthanasia
How do you treat splay leg
blind, otoscope/laryngoscope, endoscope
intubation can be difficult in a rabbit due to the long, narrow pharynx, large tonque, and large incisors. what are some techniques for intubation in a rabbit
foot sores
rabbits have no footpads and this predisposing them to ________-
heat stroke
reddened ear, panting, lethargy, salivation, weakness, and neurologic signs such as confusion and convulsions are all signs of what in rabbits?
castration -intact males will fight and spray -intact females will become territorial
________- will improve the suitability of a domestic rabbit as a pet
The have pseudoneutrophil (Heterophil) with a purple lobular nucleus and diffuse red cytoplasmic granules these must be distinguished from an eosinophil that are larger than heterophils and also have a purple lobular nucleus with larger red cytoplasmic granules
what is distinct about a rabbits hematology
-no os penis -open inguinal canals -closed castration
what is the anatomy of the male reproductive tract in the rabbit
32-60
what is the average RR of the rabbit
2-6 kg
what is the average weight of a rabbit
-feed hay to promote wear by abrasive actoin
How do you prevent malocclusion of Molars in rabbits
-cool down slowly -immerse in tepid water, wrap in cool wet towels -IV fluids -shock dose of corticosteroids -monitor for metabolic disturbances and renal failure
How do you treat a heat stroke in rabbits
-topical glaucoma treatment -enucleation -laser cycloablation (pigmented rabbits)
How do you treat glaucoma in rabbits
-trim every 4-8 weeks (sedate and use grinding tool or burr to prevent tooth fracture -extraction (remove entire root of all 6 incisors
How do you treat malocclusion of Incisors
-diagnose through skull rads +/- anesthesia -rasp points -surgical resection of abscessed tissue (drainage ineffective) -extraction of infected teeth -antibiotics 6-8 weeks
How do you treat malocclusion of Molars
-Surgery (drainage, mastectomy) -antibiotics (C&S) -remove kits but DO NOT FOSTER (may give to new foster mom disease)
How do you treat mastitis in rabbits
-correct underlying problem -clip hair, clean area (betadine, chlorhexidine
How do you treat moist dermaitis
-not clinically signifcant-more so disturbing to owners Treatment is piperazine citrates in water, it is not transmissible to humans
How do you treat pinworms in rabbits
isolation and symptomatic treatment
How do you treat proliferative enteropathy
-Depopulation (+- vaccine- not available in US) _Reportable
How do you treat rabbit hemorrhagic disease
-Ivermectin -Treat environment
How do you treat sarcoptic mange
Encephalitozoonosis diagnose with serology and cytology 40-80% of pet rabbits may be serologically positive
Clinical signs in rabbits includes: granulomas and pseduocyts in brain, kidney, and eye. Neuro signs can include heat tild, paralysis, kidney disease, may infect other species and humans if immunodeficient
Treponematosis (rabbit syphilis)
Clinical signs include crusty ulcerated lesions and mucous membranes
Myxomatosis
Clinical signs of this in rabbits include conjunctivitis (milk discharge), fever, edematous eyelids (nose/lips/ears/vulva and scrotum), labored breathing and high mortality (domestic rabbits)
Glycopyrrolate
Due to a rabbits atropinesterase, what should be used to reduce bradycardia and secretions
Clostridium spiroforme
Enterotoxemia is caused by _____________ that is part of the normal flora in low numbers, but normal homeostasis has been altered due to changes in feed, temp, stress, antibiotics, or simple carbohydrate. Causing this organism to proliferate and endotoxin production to occur
Rabbit (shope) fibroma virus
a pox virus affecting cottontail rabbits that is transmitted via arthropods
rabbit pox
acute, generalized that occurs in laboratory rabbits, vaccinia related virus. with fever, nasal discharge, edema +/- pox lesions. may confuse with myxomatosis. should perform viral isolatiion
moist dermatitis
caused by chronic wetness such as dental disease (drooling), large dewlap (skin fold pyoderma), open water crocks). clinical signs can be acute or result in fatal septicemia
dermatophytosis
circular, raised flakey lesions, on rabbits
otocariasis (ear mites) diagnose with skin scraping
clinical signs include head shaking, crusted ulcers, and scratching in rabbits
Malocclusion of molars
clinical signs of this in rabbits includes salivation, anorexia, points on cheek teeth, bowing of teeth outwards, swelling of mandible
ciliary body
rabbit eyes have a poorly developed ______________ so the have poor focus
ulcerative pododermatitis
sore hocks -pressure sores on plantar metatarsal area
