Rabbit's ears are highly vascular and help regulate
heat, as well as sensing sound. They are fragile and sensitive
and should not be used for restraint.
The rabbit skeleton is also fragile, comprising only
8% of the animals body weight, compared with 13% in the cat. The
long bones of the rear legs and the lumbar spine, which are surrounded
by very powerful muscle masses (used for hopping), are particularly
susceptible to fractures.
Rabbits produce two types of fecal pellets, mucus
pellets and dry pellets. The mucus pellet come from the cecum,
and are usually produced in the early morning or night (night
feces), but may occur at any time of the day. The night feces
is usually produced four to eight hours after feeding and is immediately
ingested directly from the anus. Upon redigestion, it serves as
a source for B-vitamins, amino acids, and fatty acids. This behavior
is rarely seen by the clients. The dry pellets are generally produced
during the first four hours after feeding and are not normally
ingested.
The preferred diet for a pet rabbit is a high-quality,
high-fiber (18 to 24%) pelleted diet containing 14 to 17% crude
protein. The pellets should be fed at a rate of one fourth cup
per 5 pounds of body weight divided into two meals a day. Loose
hay (mixed-grass hay, timothy hay, or high-quality dried grass
clippings) should be provided free of choice. Alfalfa hay can
be offered throughout the growth stages, but should then be discontinued
because of its high protein content. The diet should be supplemented
with dark fibrous, leafy greens (kale, mustard greens), fresh
vegetables (carrots, broccoli), and a small amount of fresh fruit
(strawberries, apples). During gestation and lactation, the amount
of protein and available energy should be increased by providing
the rabbit with more pellets.
Housing Information:
Although rabbits are best housed in wire-bottomed
cages with access to a smooth surface such as Plexiglas or wood,
prebuilt commercial cages are probably more practical for indoor
pets. Grass hay is a good bedding material because it is edible.
Carpeting should not be used for bedding. Cedar chips should also
be avoided. If outdoors, they should be provided with plenty of
shade and shelter from the elements. Indoor rabbits should be
caged when unattended. The most common behavioral problem of indoor
rabbits is chewing on rugs, furniture, and wires (electrical).
Rabbits should be protected from rapid changes in
temperature, excessive drafts, predators, insects and rodents.
In high humidity and at temperatures greater than 85 degrees Fo,
heat stress may led to death or infertility. Good husbandry and
sanitation is important to rabbit management.
Pet breeds Laboratory breeds Lops Meat breeds Dwarfs Giant breeds Wool breeds Angora Dutch English lop Californian Florida white Checkered Blanc de Hotot English angora New Zealand French lop Himalayan Netherland dwarf Flemish English angora French angora French lop Holland lop New Zealand Polish Dutch mini lop French angora Chinchilla German angora Rhinlanders Rex Silver Martin Anatomic and Biologic Characteristics:
Rabbit teeth are all open rooted, or continuously
grow throughout their lives. The incisors may grow 10 to 12 cm
(approximately 4 inches) in a year. If not periodically checked,
they may overgrow and cause difficulty eating.
Reproductive Information:
Nutritional Information:
Nutritional problems are common in rabbits and include
intestinal disorders, fur chewing and hairballs. The alimentary
tract of a rabbit is very similar to that of a horse. The rabbit
has a very large cecum (the primary site for cellulose digestion),
a small pyloric lumen (end of stomach going into the small intestines)
and an inability to vomit. These latter two characteristics predispose
the rabbit to hairballs, much like the horse is predisposed to
colic. Hairballs may generally be prevented by feeding high-fiber
diets, minimizing stress and boredom, and brushing frequently.
Restraint:
Rabbits can be carried by grasping the loose skin
over the shoulders with one hand, tucking the head under your
arm, and placing the other arm under the rump to support the animals
weight. In any case, be sure to support the animals spine and
minimize struggling.
Surgical Procedures:
Elective surgical procedures such as castration or
spaying (ovariohysterectomy) can generally be performed safely
in young; healthy rabbits with a minimum of complications. Castrating
and spaying of rabbits are recommended to prevent breeding, burrowing,
pyometra (uterine infection), tumors of the reproductive tract,
urine spraying, and aggression.
Common Toxicities:
The following medications have been reported to be
toxic to pet rabbits:
They can cause kidney damage or severe intestinal upset.
We hope that you will find this information helpful in your quest for better pet care. If you have any questions or comments, please call your veterinarian's office, or feel free to e-mail us.
David E. Hammett, DVM
and the Staff of All Creatures Veterinary Clinic, PC
