Rabbits

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Most commonly used rabbit in research

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Oryctolagus. Breed name is New Zealand whites

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Rabbit classification

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Order: Lagomorpha, Family: Leporidae (rabbits and hares)

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Rabbits in research

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First model of atherosclerosis (a condition in which fatty material collects along the walls of arteries. This fatty material thickens, hardens (forms calcium deposits), and may eventually block the arteries) and extensively used in eye irritancy evaluations. Ease of handling and large accessible ear veins make rabbits usefull in antibody productiona and other studies that require large volumes of blood to be collected.

Front 4

Name some unique anatomy/information of the rabbit

-GENERAL-

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~high muscle to bone ratio
~Large body fat reserves, makes them look lightweight compared to their size
~Females larger than males
~Have no footpads, and the soles of the hind legs are covered in fur.
~Females have dulap in font of their neck/chest

Front 5

Unique anatomy

-LIMBS-

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~Radius/ulna and tibia/fibula are fused

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Unique anatomy

-TEETH-

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~have 2nd pair of incisors located posterior to the 1st incisors called "peg teeth"

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Unique anatomy

-Head-

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~Have a large fleshy tongue with a small elevation on the posterior portion which makes intubation difficult
~Ears are vascular and are a thermoregulatory organ

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Unique anatomy

-Chest-

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~Relatively small heart
~Large right lung divided into three lobes, Left lung is smaller and has two lobes

Front 9

Unique anatomy

-Abdomen-

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~Cannot vomit
~Large thin walled stomach w/ no compartmentalization
~Very large cecum and have night feces

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Unique anatomy

-UROGENITAL-

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~Uterus is duplexed with 2 cervixes and two cervical orifices and without a uterine body
~Cervix opens directly into the vagina
~Male has scrotum anterior to the penis

Front 11

Reproduction

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Does mature earlier than bucks

Does are induced ovulators

Ovulation occurs about 10 hrs after coitus

Gestation is 29 - 35 days

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Gestation of Rabbits

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29 - 35 days

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Rabbit TPR

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Temp: 101.3 to 104 Degrees F
HR: 180 - 250 BPM
RR: 30 - 60 breaths per minute

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Average life span and weight

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5 - 8 years

Bucks weight 2 - 5 kg
Does 2 - 6 kg

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Rabbit Husbandry

HOUSING

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Should be placed in stainless steel or plastic housing. Can have mesh floors.

Should be open in the front

Cages should have a tray underneath to catch waste

Food and water are served in hanging feed hoppers and water bottles.

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Husbandry

CLEANING

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Must be cleaned daily to keep ammonia levels down

Acidic cleaner required to sanitize the crystalized deposits left from urine

Can use litter boxes, do not use clayor wood shavings

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Diet

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herbivores, feed should contain 15% protein and 10% fiber

Clean vegetables can be given in moderatoin

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Restraint

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Approach slowly and calmly

Scruff neck while fully supporting the hind limbs to prevent the rabbit from kicking since this can cause a back break and posterior paralysis

Allow the rabbit to bury its head in the bend of your elbow

Can wrap snuggly into towel or cat bag for more invasive procedures, and some relaxation techniques such as placing the rabbit on its back and stroking down on the abdomen work well

Front 19

Injection techniques - SQ

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Loose skin in back while being restrained in a towel or restraint box

Skin is very thin so be careful

Max volume is 100mL

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Injection techniques - IM

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Lumbar muscles, quads or thigh muscles. Max vol is 1.5 mL

Front 21

Injection techniques - IV and ID

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Most often marginal ear vein is used with a butterfly catheter

ID usually given along the back latereal to the spinal cord

Front 22

Blood collection techniques - Blood collection sites

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Marginal ear vein (local anesthetic)
Auricular artery (local anesthetic)
Jugular (sedated)
Cephalic (In large breeds)
Lateral saphenous (handler restrains on side and holds off vein)
Cardiocentesis (anesthesia and euthanasia, terminal)

Front 23

Blood collection techniques - Needle sizes

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25-27g needle should be used

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Anesthesia Facts

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Rabbits at greater risk than any other lab animal! Very difficult to intubate and have variable responses to anesthetic agents. Their repiratory center is very sensitive to anesthetics and their high reserves of body fat complicate anesthesia with barbiturates.

Do not fast rabbits!

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Acceptable euthanasia methods

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OD on inhalant or OD of injectable agent usually IV.