6. Oryctolagus cuniculus
• Rabbit - not rodent but lagomorph
• Size range 3 lbs to 20 lbs
• About 45 different breeds
• Uses: Meat, fur, research & pets
7. History of Rabbits
• Fossils date back 30 to 37 million years
• Domestic breeds developed from European
wild rabbit
– First reports during 1100 BC
– Domesticated by French monks in
Middle Ages
• Became pests in latter 19th century
– European wilds now flourish
– Cottontail common in North America
– http://www.rabbitfreeaustralia.org.au/rabbit_problem.html
An initial introduction of 24 wild European rabbits in 1859 produced
an astounding 10 billion rabbits by the 1920’s.
8. Uses for Rabbits
• Meat
• Research
• Fur/wool (rex, angora)
• 4H / FFA Project animals
• Pets
9. Five Rabbit Weight
Categories
• Dwarf or miniature
• Small
• Medium
• Large
• Giant
http://www.arba.net/breeds.htm
10. Dwarf or Miniature
Rabbits
• Britannia Petite
• Netherland Dwarf
• Himalayan
• Dwarf Hotot
• Polish
• Jersey Wooly
• Holland Lop
• American Fuzzy Lop
• Mini Rex
11. Small Rabbits
• Dutch
• Tan
• Florida White
• Silver
• Havana
• Mini Lop (mini refers to ear length, not body size)
12. Medium Rabbits
• English Spot • Silver Martin
• Standard Chinchilla • Belgian Hare
• English Angora • Rhinelander
• Satin Angora • Harlequin
• French Angora • Sable
• Lilac • Shorthaired Rex
13. Large Rabbits
• Champagne
d’Argent
• American
• American Chinchilla
• Beveren
• English Lop
• Californian
• New Zealand
• Hotot
• Silver Fox
• Palomino
• Satin
• Cinnamon
• Creme d’Argent
15. Breeding
• Male – buck; Female – doe; young – kit
Process of giving birth – kindling
• Life span: 5 to 8+ years
• Sexual maturity: 4-10 months
• Induced ovulators (like cats)
• Sexual dimorphism
16. Breeding &
Gestation
• ALWAYS take the female to the male’s cage
for breeding (does cage protective)
• Gestation 29-35 days (4-10 typical litter size)
• Nesting box necessary
• Extremely rich milk, fed 1-2x/day (if not wrinkled,
if warm & if bunched together it’s being fed)
• Do not disturb doe and kits first 10-14 days
• Weaned at 4-6 weeks
17. Anatomy
• Continuously
growing teeth. Two
pairs of incisors.
• Cecum, like horses:
hind gut fermenters • Nictitating membrane
• Cecotrope (a type of (Third eyelid)
dropping that is eaten by
the rabbit directly from the • Highly vascular ears
anus and then digested to
give aa’s, FAs, vitamins
from low energy foods) • Fragile spine
18. Rabbit Housing & Equipment
• Rabbit houses called “hutches”
– Determined by breed, bigger is better
– Partial solid floors prevent irritation (pododermatitis
2nd to poor sanitation / 100% wire flooring)
– SECURE LID, DOORS
– Absorbent materials best for litter: pelleted
paper, pelleted grass (NOT corn cob, walnut shell,
clay litter)
• Other equipment
– For feeding: Galvanized-metal self-feeders
– For water: Ceramic bowls or vacuum-type bottles
20. Rabbit Feeding
• FREE CHOICE grass, oat or timothy hay
• Alfalfa is too high in Ca++ & calories
• Vegetables: 3+ different types daily of dark green / dark
yellow veggies – kale, dandelion greens, broccoli leaves,
collard greens, green/yellow peppers
• Commercial pelleted rabbit food – free choice to young,
measured and limited amount to adults (no >20% of diet)
• Fruit as a treat (no > 1-2 tbsp per 5#/day)
• Particularly when warm: clean, fresh water
should be abundantly available
21. Rabbit Maintenance
• Regular (daily ideal) cleaning, sanitation of
housing / environment
• Nail trimming
• Some require incisor trimming
(malocclusion)
• Brushing (1-2x/week; daily if long hair)
• May need flea/insect prevention (cat meds /
doses often used)
22. Bunny Behavior
• Generally docile disposition
• Noises: occasional panic scream, warning
growl
• May spray urine if upset (males > females)
• Can be housebroken, harness trained
• Chewers! (make sure hutch is sturdy)
• Not heat tolerant
• Coprophagic
23. Handling of Rabbits
• Rabbit’s size drives handling method
– Never pick a rabbit up by the ears
• Approach cage slowly, speaking to rabbit
• Rub rabbit before attempting lifting
– Place one hand under belly, one behind
– For large rabbits, use arm for cradling
– Tuck head under elbow of supporting arm
• Put rabbit down slowly, hind end first
– Allow rabbit to see where it is going
24. Restraint
• Never pick up by the ears
• DO scruff behind ears
• Always support the hindquarters!!!
– Can fracture spine if rear legs kick too hard
or in awkward position – Delicate!
• Restraint by hypnosis (cradle on its back,
scruff in hand, rear end supported w/ back
resting against handler)
• Return to cage hind end first
25.
26. Injection Sites in Rabbits
• Injection Sites
– IM: quadriceps
– SQ, IP also may be used
• Venipuncture sites
– Marginal ear vein
– Cephalic vein
– Lateral saphenous vein
– Jugular vein
• May require anesthesia for catheter
placement – delicate veins (delicate skin, too)
26
27. Rabbit Anesthesia
• Withhold food?
– When fasting is not recommended in rabbits, it has to with exhausting glycogen
stores which can lead to hypoglycemia which may cause post-operative ileus.
When fasting is recommended, it is to decrease stomach volume compressing
the diaphragm and respiratory space. The inability to vomit is also sometimes
cited a reason to not require fasting in rabbits.
– rabbits are unlikely to vomit/regurgitate in the perianesthetic period. I
usually take the animals off water 1-2 hrs before just in case they will passively
reflux under anesthesia. Prolonged fasting in rabbits is likely to lead to
ileus, a common problem in rabbits.
• Must be free from respiratory disease
• Injectable agents
– Ketamine + Midazolam/Diazepam + Xylazine + Butorphanol (healthy)
– Midazolam/Diazepam + Butorphanol + Glycopyrrolate (ill/debilitated)
– Ketamine + Acepromazine, Ketamine + Xylazine
30. Trichobezoars
(Hairballs)
• Rabbits are clean and groom frequently
• Diagnosis: Not eaten in 24 hrs, and x-
rays show food in the stomach
• Treatment: Drugs early on to change
gut motility, or surgery (50% mortality
rate)
• Prevention: High fiber diet; hair ball
medication; frequent brushing
34. Pasturella
(Snuffles)
• Clinical Signs:
– Discharge from eyes and/or nose
– Squinting or redness of eyes
– Otitis torticollis
– Abscesses
• Tx: Abx (injection, oral, IN, ocular)
• Many rabbits are chronically infected
35. Skin Diseases
• Bacterial Infections: Treat with Antibiotics
• Ringworm: Treat with topical medication,
oral medication or medicated shampoos
• Fleas: Can use products safe on cats
36. Parasites
• Mange (walking dandruff) – seen as hair loss
and dandruff Diagnosis by skin scraping
Treatment- medicated shampoo
• Ear mites: Dark crusty material in ears,
scratching and shaking head – injectable or
topical medication
• Coccidia: Fecal testing to find - medication
37. Cystic Calculi
(Bladder Stones)
• Clinical Signs:
Frequent urination, straining to urinate
Blood in the urine.
• Treatment: Surgical Removal
• Prevention: Increase activity level and
provide more space, Decrease/remove
pellets and add fiber, leafy greens to
diet, plenty of water
38. Uterine Adenocarcinoma
and/or pyometra
• Intact (not spayed) female rabbits
• Clinical signs:
Older female, listless, not eating
• Treatment – exploratory surgery
• Prevention – spay early; If breeding the
doe, spay when breeding life is done.
39. Disease Prevention
• Quarantine new rabbits for 30 days
• Reduce stress
• Avoid overcrowding
• Avoid dietary changes, provide
appropriate & quality diet
• Keep litter clean
42. Cavia porcellus
• Guinea Pig Rodent - More closely
related to porcupines and chinchillas
• Average weight 750 grams
• Eleven breeds for show
43. History of Guinea Pigs
• Exact history of domestic cavy unknown
– May come from C. aperea, C. tschudii, or C. fulgida
– Does not come from Guinea
• Bred for meat production in South America for at
least 3,000 years
• Brought to Europe in 16th century
• Since mid-1800s, used for pathology, nutrition,
genetics, and toxicology research, as well as
serum development
44. Uses for Guinea Pigs
• Meat (S. America)
• Research
• 4H / FFA Project animals
• Pets
45. Common Guinea Pig
Varieties
• Abyssinian
• American
• Peruvian
• Satin
• Silkie
• Teddy
• White Crested
46. Abyssinian Guinea Pig
• Rough, wiry hair coat
– Hair made of rosettes (swirls or cowlicks)
– More rosettes are desirable
• Found in all colors and color
combinations
47. American Guinea Pig
• Most common variety
• Short, very glossy, fine hair
– Short hair eases care
• Found in widely varied colors and color
combinations
48. Peruvian
Guinea Pig
• Longhaired variety
– Hair length, evenness, and balance are
deciding features
– Hair requires much upkeep (can be 20”
long)
• Lacks a tail
• Found in many of the colors and color
combinations as American variety
49. Satin Guinea Pig
• Fur is distinguishing feature
– Fine, dense, and soft
– Luxurious and shiny
• Found in colors and color combinations
of other varieties
50. Silky
Guinea Pig
• Longhaired variety
– Unlike Peruvian, no long frontal sweep
over head
– Mane sweeps back from head, between
ears, over the back, and down the sides
• Sometimes called the Sheltie
• Found in colors and color combinations
of other varieties
51. Teddy Guinea Pig
• Short, kinky hair
– Short, resilient strands
– Lies thick and close to the body
– Whiskers also kinked
• Found in colors and color combinations
of other varieties
52. White Crested
• Shorthaired variety
– Resembles American shorthair except
for crest
– Crest is white rosette that radiates evenly from
center of forehead
• Found mainly in self, solid, and
agouti colors
53. Characteristics of
Guinea Pigs
• Physical makeup
– Adult length of 8 to 10”, weight of 1 to 2 pounds
– Short, stocky build with short legs
– Short, blunt, rounded nose
– Short ears with little fur
– Agouti, self, solid, and marked colors
• Skills
– Very sensitive hearing
– Highly developed sense of smell
– Excellent peripheral vision
• Behaviors
– Live in colonies or clans
– One dominant male and 5 to 10 females
54. Anatomy
• No tail • Open rooted teeth
• One pair of • Born with teeth
mammary glands • Born with eyes open
• Herbivore • Heavy body weight
for size
• Susceptible to
Bordatella
55. Guinea Pig Reproduction
• Average life span 5 years (4-8y)
• Males are boars
• Females are sows
• Polyestrous with spontaneous (induced)
ovulation
• 1-6 young/litter
56. Guinea Pig Reproduction
• Sexual maturity
– Females at 2 months (4-6w)
– Males at 3 months (9-10w)
• First breeding before female is 6 months / before
reaching 500 grams body weight (6m old is when
pelvic symphysis fuses)
– Pair breeding (monogamous)
– Colony breeding (polygamous / harem: 1 boar/4-10 sows)
• Gestation period from 56 to 74 days
• Up to 5 litters yearly (2 to 4 average)
• Young fully developed at birth (precocious)
– Weigh 1½ to 4½ ounces
– Have open eyes and full fur
– Running and eating solid food in 24 hours
57. Desired Qualities of
Guinea Pig Housing
• At least 12” x 12” x 12” per adult (double size if breeders)
• Plastic bottom that is 3 or 4” deep
• Sides of vertical wire bars or glass
• Hiding box / area for sleeping
• Abundant bedding – shavings, shredded paper
– CLEAN FREQUENTLY
• Heavy glass or earthenware food bowls
• Vacuum-type water bottle
• When housed outside
– Portable house or run-in (3 square feet/pig)
– Temperatures above 50°F (55-70 ideal, >80-85 BAD)
58. Basics of Guinea Pig Feeding
• Sensitive GI system – no rapid diet changes!
• Vegetarian diet – mix of veggies, hay, guinea pig pellets
– Must consume vitamin C (~0.5mg/kg/day)
– Vit C deficiencies often from use of old food
• Foods tailored to age/state
– Young or pregnant pigs: alfalfa pellets and dry alfalfa hay
– Adults: Clover and grass hay pellets and low-protein dry
clover and grass hays
• Other food sources
– Dandelion greens, Romaine or green leaf lettuce (no
iceberg), kale, carrots, apples, pears, turnips, beets,
cucumbers
• Constant source of fresh water – clean daily
59. Basic Care of Guinea Pigs
• Regular grooming
– Shorthaired: Daily brushing
– Longhaired: Combing and brushing, clipping
• Occasional bathing
– Use mild shampoo
– Avoid chills
• Regular nail clipping
60. Handling Methods for
Guinea Pigs
• Acclimation process
– In new home, allow long exploration time
– Offer treats (fresh greens, carrots, apples)
– Pet and lift to overcome shyness
• Lifting technique
– Grasp firmly around front shoulders with
one hand, support rear with other
– Cradle in palm and forearm close to body
61. Guinea Pig Ailments
• Respiratory diseases (bacterial, viral pneumonia)
• Diarrhea (bacterial, diet related enteritis)
• Dystocia, Toxemia (pregnant females)
• Integument:
– Pododermatitis
– Mites and biting lice
– Neck swellings (e.g. cervical abscess)
• Overgrown or maloccluded teeth
• Genital-area obstructions – clean area to prevent
62. Scurvy
• Vitamin C deficiency
Clinical Signs: anorexia/poor appetite,
swollen, painful joints and ribs, reluctance to
move, poor bone and teeth development,
and spontaneous bleeding especially from
the gums, into joints, and in muscle.
Treatment: Supplement with Vitamin C
injections; Add Vitamin C to water; feed
fresher food and fresh vegetables
63. Dystocia & Toxemia
• Must be bred before 6 months of age
• Toxemia seen in obese guinea pigs
during late pregnancy. Prevention
includes reducing stress during
pregnancy and correct diet.
64. Hyperthermia
• Temperatures over 85 degrees, Humidity
over 70%, inadequate shade and ventilation,
overcrowding
Signs: panting, slobbering, weakness,
lethargy, convulsions
Treatment: cool water spray or bath, alcohol
on foot pads, change environment to prevent
future episodes
Editor's Notes
Lateral saphenous vein can also be used for indwelling catheters.
Induce hypnosis in rabbit by placing it in dorsal recumbency and gently stroking its ventrum.
