© 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Chapter 12 Rabbit Identification and Production Management

© 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Veterinary Terminology Lagomorph –Rabbit Buck –Intact male Doe –Intact female Lapin –Neutered male Kit –Young (deaf, blind) rabbit Kindling –Giving birth to rabbits Herd –Group of rabbits Junior –Under 6 months of age Senior –Over 6 months of age

© 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Biology Mammal Herbivore Long ears, round body, short tail, 4 large teeth Nonruminant –Not able to vomit –Lacks a gallbladder

© 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Breeds Miniature or dwarf –Under 2 pounds Small –2 to 7 pounds Medium –8 to 12 pounds Large –Semi arch (12 to 14 pounds) –Full arch (over 14 pounds)

© 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Breed Selection Size Hair coat Health and maintenance needs Temperament

© 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Nutrition Commercial pellet Timothy or orchard grass Fruits, vegetables, green foods in small amounts 4% of body weight as a daily maintenance diet Night feces

© 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Behavior Docile Uses a warning scream or growl Bites or kicks and strikes with front limbs as protection Will thump with rear foot as a warning Can be hypnotized

© 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Basic Training Litter box Prevention of chewing Beware of access to telephone cords or electrical wires

© 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Equipment and Housing Needs Hutch Covered area to shelter from weather Open area Proper ventilation Feeders Water bottles

© 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Restraint and Handling Never lift or restrain by the ears Use a cat carrier Hypnotize by rubbing belly Always support rear legs and back Wrap in towel

© 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Grooming Brushing Nail trims Teeth trimming Dental problems

© 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Basic Health Care and Maintenance Respiratory problems are common Easily upset digestive systems May be prone to hairballs Can develop sores on rear feet Any change in behavior may be a sign of illness Hair should be plucked not shaved

© 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Vaccinations Not common for rabbits

© 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Reproduction and Breeding Mature around 6 months Separate male and female after breeding Gestation is 30 to 32 days Average litter size of 6 kits

© 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Respiratory Disease Nasal discharge Sneezing Clumping of hair on the front paws

© 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Pasturella Also called Snuffles Bacterial disease Chronic inflammation of mucous membranes in air passages in lungs Sneezing, coughing Excessive secretion of mucous

© 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Tyzzer’s Disease Bacterial disease affecting digestive tract Watery diarrhea Feces or staining on rectum Anorexia Lethargic Dehydration Weight loss Death

© 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Common Parasites External –Fleas, ticks, mites –Ear mites are a particular problem Internal –Coccidia

© 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Common Surgical Procedures Castration –3 to 4 months of age –Decreases urine spraying Spay –5 to 6 months of age –Decreases aggression Dental extraction