• Introduction
• Anatomic and Physiologic Characteristics
• Normal physiologic values for rabbits
• Diet
• Drug that are contraindicated in rabbits:
• Disease

RABBITS ( Oryctolagus cuniculus )
Lagomorphs have six incisors in contrast to the closely related rodents , which have four incisors.
All domestic rabbits are descendants of the European wild rabbits Oryctolagus cuniculus 
The two main genera of rabbits are
1. Oryctolagus The European wild rabbits
2. Sylvilagus The cottontail rabbits
These genera differ in chromosome number and cannot interbreed.
Domestic rabbit breeds were developed as early as the 18 th century. Today there are over 60 recognized breeds.
Giant breeds , which average more than 5 kg in body weight ,include the American Checkered Giant , the Flemish Giant , the Giant Chinchilla rabbits
Medium breeds , which average from 3.5 to 5 kg in body weight , include the Californian , the Silver Marten and the Rex rabbits
Small breeds , which average less than 3.5 kg in body weight , include the Netherland Dwarf , the Jersey Woolly and the Polish rabbits.
A male is called a buck.
A female is called a doe.

Anatomic and Physiologic Characteristics
            Rabbits’ eyes are directed more laterally than are those of most mammals; this provides them with a panoramic field of vision so that they are readily able to detect predators.
            The rabbit’s inability to vomit and the small pyloric lumen predispose the animal to hair accumulation in the stomach.
            The low bone density of the rabbit - only just over half that of the cat.The rabbit skeleton is also fragile , comprising only 8 % of the animals body weight , compared with 13 % in the cat. The long bones and lumbar spine , which are surrounded by powerful muscle masses , are particularly susceptible to fracture.
            Females of several breeds of rabbits have a pendulous dewlap. This area is a frequent site of moist dermatitis , especially in obese rabbits kept in humid , warm environments.
            Teeth are open rooted and grow continuously.
            Rabbits are distinguished from rodents by the presence of two pairs of upper incisors. The smaller second pair of upper incisors are located directly behind the first and lack a cutting edge.The incisors , which grow 10 to 12 cm a year throughout the rabbit’s lifetime.
            Rabbit’s ears are highly vascular and help regulate heat , as well as , sensing sound. The ears are fragile and sensitive and should not be used for restraint.
            The gastrointestinal tract has a simple glandular stomach , a long intestinal tract and a large cecum.The terminal ileum expands and forms a thin - walled sacculus rotundus. Large amount of lymphatic tissue are located in the wall of the sacculus , giving it a "honeycomb" external appearance. The cecum is large ( about 10 times stomach capacity) , thin walled and occupies much of the abdominal cavity. The cecum is the primary site for cellulose digestion.
            The rabbit’s intestinal microflora is sensitive to intestinal osmolarity , pH and other factors , food changes ( especially in four to 12 week-old-rabbits ) should be introduced gradually over four to five days. During this time , combine the old and new feeds to allow for adjustments in the balance of normal flora. Rabbits , particularly those recently weaned , are sensitive to foods high in sugar or starch.
            Veins are thin-walled and fragile. Hematoma formation after venipuncture is common.
            Inguinal canals lead to the inguinal pouches and remain open throughout the rabbit’s lifetime , permitting the testes to move in and out of the abdominal cavity.
            Female rabbits have four to five pairs of mammary glands and nipples. Nipples are not present in male rabbits.
            Red , pink or orange discolouration of the urine occurs periodically in healthy rabbits. The colour may be caused by the presence of a porphyrin pigment or a food-related metabolite excreted in the urine. Rabbits do not have footpads , rather the toes and metatarsal areas are covered with coarse fur.
            Rabbits produce two types of fecal pellets: mucus pellets and dry pellets (hard). The mucus pellet,or ectotrope , which comes from the cecum, is usually produced in the early morning ( night feces ) , but may occur at any time of day. The cecotrope is generated four to eight hours after eating and is immediately ingested directly from the anus. This is rarely seen by the client. The dry pellets are generally produced during the first four hours after feeding and are not normally ingested.
            Calcium and phosphorus are excreted primarily through urine in rabbits. Calcium is excreted in the bile in most other mammals.
            Newborn young are sometimes referred to as kits.
            Check feet and hocks for evidence of erythema and ulceration.
            Check both the incisors and the molars with an otoscope for evidence of malocclusion.

             Normal physiologic values for rabbits
Average life span                                        = 6 years
Adult body weight                                      = 2 - 5 kg
Birth weight                                                 = 30 - 80 g
Life span                                                       = 5 - 7 years ( up to 15 years )
Breeding onset of male                             6 - 10 months
Breeding onset of female                         4 - 9 months
Breeding life of female                             4.5 months to 3 years
Breeding life of male                                 up to 5 - 6 years
Cycle length                                             induced ovulation
Sexual maturity                                             = 4 - 6 months
Average litter size                                         = 4 - 12
Induced ovulator , gestation period         = 30 - 33 days
Weaning age                                                 = 4 - 6 weeks
Gastrointestinal transit time                         = 4 - 5 hours
Rectal body temperature                             = 101.3 - 104.0 F
Normal heart rate                                         = 180 - 250 bpm
Normal respiratory rate                               = 30 - 60 bpm
Does nurse their young only once a day
The eyes open around the tenth day.
Mixture to feed orphaned rabbit :
- Orphaned puppy milk or  cup evaporated milk
- 1/2 cup water - 1 egg yolk
- 1 tbs. corn syrup
At 2 weeks of age , add fresh green Weaning at 4 - 5 weeks of age. During the third week they start hopping about and are able to eat solid food. At 4 weeks they can be weaned.

Diet
General fact
-Daily feed consumption (dry rabbit pellets) about 5 % of body weight.
-Feed conversion :optimally 3:1
-Daily water consumption : about 10 % of body weight.
-Exception : Lactating does consume much more feed and water.
-Rabbits can be very choosy and refuse feed other than the type of they are used to.
-A weaned rabbit should be given only water to drink , not milk. Some rabbits drink little or no water , especially when they are given a lot of greens.
Rabbits are herbivorous and feed continuously ( are nibbler )
Hamster and mouse pellets that are available in retail outlets are not suitable for rabbits.
Recommended daily diet includes:-
• Unlimited mixed grass hay
• No more than 1/8 cup of high fiber maintenance-type rabbit pellets ( 18 % or higher fiber ). Commercial rabbit diets do not necessarily provide balanced nutrition. The pellets should be fed at a rate of one-fourth cup per 2.3 kg body weight , divided into two meals a day.
Minimum of 1 cup vegetables for each 4 lb. body weight. Select 3 different type dark green or dark yellow vegetables daily: for example
alfalfa sprout brussels sprout basil carrot and carrot tops beet greens cilantro broccoli leaves collard greens endives green peppers parsley romaine lettuce kale outer cabbage leave raspberry leaves wheat grass pea pod squash raddichio
Small amount of fruit ( up to 3 types ) totaling only 1-2 level Tbs. per 5 lb. body weight (none if dieting) :stay with high fiber fruits:
apple peach plum pear melon raspberry papaya blueberry blackberry strawberry pineapple
Avoid sugary fruits: banana , grapes

            In rabbits , food intake is closely linked with water consumption . If the water is unpalatable , food consumption decrease. To be suitable for administration in the drinking water , an antibiotic should be soluble and stable in water , palatable and well absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract.
            Insufficient indigestible dietary fiber is an underlying factor in many disease problems.
            Inadequate fiber causes decreased colonic-cecal motility , slowing overall gastrointestinal transit time. Decreased motility and prolonged retention of food material in the cecum may lead to enteritis and diarrhea.
            High starch , low fiber diet provide high level of fermentation products for cecal bacteria.  The number of bacterial pathogens may increase , resulting in increased toxin production.
            Hairballs are common in rabbits that are fed inadequate amount of roughage. Fiber stimulates gastrointestinal motility and mechanically helps to move fur through the upper gastrointestinal tract. Fur-chewing or barbering is common in rabbits on low fiber diets.

• Heart rate                                       = 120 - 300 / min.
• Respiratory rate                             = 35 - 65 / min.
• Temperature                                   = 101.3 - 104 F ( 38 - 40 C )
• Food consumption                        = 50 g/kg/day
• Water consumption General population = 50 - 100 ml/kg/day
• Breeding does                                = < 900 ml/kg/day
• PCV                                                  = 35 - 45 %
• WBC                                                 = 6000 - 12000 /(ml)

Drug that are contraindicated in rabbits:
- Lincomycin
- Procaine pennicillin G
- Ampicillin
- Amoxicillin
- Erythromycin
- Cephalosporins
- Clindamycin
- Tiletamine
            Many rabbits are not affected by atropine ,due to the presence of a serum atropinase. Atropine has been used in rabbits to prevent bradycardia and to decrease tracheal secretions. The dose and frequency of administration of atropine is higher in rabbits than in other species.

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