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Clinical Technique: Feeding Hay to Rabbits and Rodents
Abstract
The recommended diets of pet rabbits and herbivorous rodents are often based on hays (dried forages) as the staple diet item. The rationale for this recommendation is a combination of logistical factors (i.e., hays are more readily available than a constant supply of fresh forage) and health concerns (i.e., using hays rather than fruits, nonleafy vegetables, and grain products apparently circumvents several health problems). Offering a variety of hays is a feeding concept that has so far received little attention. The choice of hays should be based primarily on a hygienic evaluation. Although hays have to be of impeccable hygienic quality, they need not necessarily be of high nutritive quality. A high proportion of stems and high-fiber material may be adequate for the maintenance of herbivores, and hays of higher nutritional quality can be used as dietary supplements in animals with increased energy requirements. Educating pet owners about the use of multiple hay combinations and the appreciation of the nutritive variety of hays may represent an opportunity for channeling interest and engagement in their animal while concurrently providing a preventive health measure.
... Dried forages (hays) are an essential component and a recommended staple item of feeding regimes for pet rabbits. 6,7,42,63 Surveys reveal that most pet rabbits are fed hay, 16,19,51,52 but veterinarians should verify this information with individual owners, because these surveys also still indicate a low proportion of owners who do not feed hay. ...
... Because rabbits do not digest fiber as well as many other herbivores 64 (but nevertheless require it), hays of higher nutritive status (typically, aromatic smelling hay that are, in the case of grass hays, soft to the touch) should be used. 6 Veterinarians advising their clients can use a list of arguments to explain the need for forage provision. ...
... The nutrient and mineral composition of hay, with high levels of fiber and a positive calcium to phosphorus ratio, is typically ideal for rabbits. 6 The ingestion of hay is more laborious for rabbits than most other diet items 78 ; additionally, because of its low energy content, rabbits need to consume a higher amount of hay compared with more energy-dense diet items to meet their requirements. 25,41,57,79 This keeps the animals occupied with a natural behavior for longer periods of time, 30 and therefore Leads to a general enrichment effect as demonstrated for the use of hays in production rabbits 2 ; ...
Because most research on rabbit husbandry, welfare, and nutrition was performed on production animals, evidence for best practices in pet rabbits is scarce, and guidelines must be based on transfer of results, deduction, and common sense. Rabbits benefit from being kept with at least one conspecific; from large enclosures and multistory hutches; from drinking water offered ad libitum in open dish drinker systems; and from receiving hay ad libitum, with restricted amounts of fresh grass, herbs, or green leafy vegetables, and a high-fiber complete diet. Offering hay ad libitum bears several advantages and should be considered a matter of course.
... In contrast, concentrate rations (both muesli mixes and extruded/pelleted nuggets) produced for domesticated rabbits can be higher in energy (carbohydrates and fats) and lower in fibre (Meredith, 2006). Forage-based diets are commonly recommended for pets (Harcourt-Brown, 2002a;Meredith, 2006;Clauss, 2012) to mimic the diet of wild rabbits; however, the specific dietary requirements of pet rabbits are not fully understood. The feeding of lower fibre feeds has been implicated in the development of dental (Crossley, 2003) and digestive disease in pet rabbits (Bennegadi et al., 2001;Gidenne et al., 2001) and a higher frequency of abnormal behaviours (Lidfors, 1997;Berthelsen and Hansen, 1999;Hansen and Berthelsen, 2000). ...
... This investigation has provided details on the pattern of food and water intake in pet rabbits fed on four diet regimes. Grass hay and grass are widely regarded as the most important part of a rabbit's diet (Harrenstien, 1999;Meredith, 2006;Clauss, 2012); however, despite this, recent surveys have shown that 36-42% of rabbits do not consume recommended amounts of hay (PDSA, 2011(PDSA, , 2012 with 3% having no access at all (PDSA, 2011). The inclusion of the HO group was to provide a forage only diet. ...
... Rabbits are able to maintain weight gain on forage only diets (Lebas, 2004;Leiber et al., 2008). The nutritional quality of hay varies with type of grass species it contains and plant maturity at time of cutting (Clauss, 2012); therefore, different results may be observed with hay made from other grass species. In this study, the level of timothy hay intake was dependent on the diet regime. ...
Diet plays an important role in maintaining rabbit health. Feeding an incorrect diet, particularly a low fibre diet, has been linked with digestive, dental and urinary tract disease. However, food intake and dietary requirements have been poorly studied in pet rabbits. This study assessed the effects of two commonly fed pet rabbit diets [extruded nuggets with hay (EH) and muesli with hay (MH)] alongside hay only (HO) and muesli only (MO) on food and water intake in 32 Dutch rabbits. Dry matter (DM) intake was greater in the HO group and lower in the MO group than in the EH and MH groups (p < 0.001). The portion of the diet made of hay was greater in the EH group than in the MH group (p < 0.001). Water intake was positively correlated with DM intake and was greatest in the HO group (p < 0.001). Selective feeding occurred in all rabbit groups fed muesli, whether or not hay was also available. Pellets were rejected, and grains and extrudates selected. The presence of selective feeding in all rabbits fed muesli leads to the consumption of an unbalanced diet. In addition, hay intake and water intake were lower when muesli was fed. Conclusions drawn from this study are based on general recommendations for pet rabbits, and clinical disease may have developed by feeding the study diets over a longer time period, as many diet-related conditions typically present in older rabbits. However, the study demonstrates that the feeding of muesli diets cannot be recommended.
... A low forage and consequently low abrasive diet requiring little chewing can cause a dysregulation in the wear/growth interaction of the rabbits' hypselodont dentition (Meredith et al., 2015). Hay, grass, herbs and leafy green vegetables should be the staple diet for pet rabbits (Clauss, 2012), but most owners feed their animals complementary feeds as well (Rooney et al., 2014) to supplement vitamins and minerals, to provide a supposedly greater variety avoiding presumed boredom (Lowe, 2010), or simply because of convenience and availability. Feed manufacturers have reacted and are producing compound diets covering all nutritional needs of rabbits in either pelleted or extruded form. ...
... When considerations of transport costs related to product density are not paramount, such as in pet animal husbandry, forage-based extrudates may represent a more attractive form of feed than forage-based pellets. While this should be investigated in future studies, it should not be forgotten that feeding mainly actual, whole forages, and using additional products only to balance the overall diet and prevent nutritional deficiencies, remains the major recommendation in pet rabbit husbandry (Clauss, 2012). ...
Among the different factors thought to affect dental wear, dietary consistency is possibly the least investigated. To understand tooth wear of herbivorous animals consuming different dietary consistencies with different abrasive potential, we fed 14 rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) exclusively with a timothy grassmeal‐based diet in either pelleted or extruded form, or the same diets with an addition of 5% fine sand abrasives (mean size 130 µm). First, we offered the rabbits the pelleted and extruded diets as well as the pelleted control and pelleted abrasive diet in a two‐stage preference experiment. Then, the rabbits received each diet for 2 weeks in a randomised serial feeding experiment, where each animal served as its own control. Tooth measurements for wear, growth and height were achieved using a manual calliper, endoscopic examination and CT scans. The analysis of the diets as fed showed almost identical mean particle size, but the extruded diet had a lower density (volume/mass) and softer consistency compared to the pelleted one and was favoured by most rabbits. The rabbits selected against the diet with sand during the preference experiment, possibly because it caused more tooth wear, especially on the teeth most exposed to wear along the upper tooth row (upper P4 and M1). The maxillary teeth also showed evidence of an increased chewing laterality by the end of the experiment. The extruded diet led to a significantly lower cheek teeth height than the pelleted diet, potentially due to the higher chewing effort needed for a similar dry matter intake. The results suggest that dietary hardness alone is a poor predictor of dental wear. The regrowth of the teeth matched wear consistently.
... Przyjmuje się, że włókno surowe nie powinno przekraczać 15% udziału w mieszance. Jest ono bardziej przyswajalne przez szynszyle niż przez króliki czy szczury [Clauss 2012, Brzozowski i in. 2013]. ...
Przystosowywanie się do środowiska przekształconego przez człowieka jest nieuniknione w kontekście przetrwania zwierząt, ponieważ zwiększanie terenów miast czy osiedli prowadzi do zajmowania ich naturalnych siedlisk. W przypadku niedźwiedzia brunatnego synantropizacja niesie ze sobą wiele zagrożeń, zarówno dla człowieka, jak i dla
zwierząt. Nie jest to jednak temat często poruszany w dyskusji dotyczącej prawidłowego
zarządzania populacjami dzikich zwierząt. Celem pracy była analiza postaw oraz ocena
wiedzy studentów różnych kierunków na temat zjawiska synantropizacji niedźwiedzia
brunatnego, w szczególności tych, którzy czasowo (jako turyści) lub na co dzień przebywają na terenach, gdzie występują niedźwiedzie i są potencjalnie narażeni na spotkania z nimi. Badania przeprowadzono na grupie 311 studentów metodą CAWI. Uzyskane
wyniki wskazują na niski poziom wiedzy dotyczący behawioru oraz zjawiska synantropizacji niedźwiedzia brunatnego (połowa badanych go nie znała, 20% z badanych nie
potrafiła go prawidłowo zdefiniować, a 70% deklarowała neutralny stosunek do faktu
obecności niedźwiedzi blisko siedzib ludzkich). Osoby studiujące kierunki przyrodnicze
istotnie częściej prawidłowo definiowały pojęcie synantropizacji niż studenci kierunków
humanistyczno-społecznych i inżynieryjno-technicznych. Połowa badanych, którzy
spotkali kiedykolwiek niedźwiedzia, nie miało zdania lub zgadzało się ze stwierdzeniem, że chęć zobaczenia niedźwiedzia z bliska wzmacnia synantropizację. Brak wiedzy
na temat czynników, które mogą przyczyniać się do wzmożenia u niedźwiedzi chęci
korzystania z pokarmu pozostawionego przez człowieka (na przykład w śmietnikach)
może być przyczyną zdarzeń niebezpiecznych z udziałem tych zwierząt.
... Habár a faforgács nálunk is népszerű volt ( A széna mint rostforrás alapvető fontosságú a nyúltakarmányozásban, ideális esetben ez teszi ki a takarmány döntő részét [13,14]. A vitaminok és ásványianyagok pótlása mellet akár kizárólagos eleségként is adható [15]. Mivel ez nem mindig egyszerűen megoldható, javasolt valamilyen jó minőségű, teljes értékű táp etetése is. ...
Background. Although pet rabbits are popular in Hungary, very little is known about their health status.
Objectives. The aim of the study was to obtain data about the health status of pet rabbits.
Materials and Methods. The survey was conducted at the Exo-Pet Veterinary Center in Budapest.
Results and discussion. A total of 109 owners answered the survey. Seventeen breeds were represented, and the majority of rabbits were dwarf (83.5%). The mean age of the rabbits was 3.7 years (range: 2 months – 11 years). Fifty-nine (54.1%) rabbits were male (42.4% of them neutered), and fifty (45.9%) rabbits were female (58% of them neutered).
Ninety-two rabbits were kept indoors only (84.4%), twelve (11%) animals had access to outdoor facilities and five rabbits were kept outdoors (4.6%). Only two rabbits (1.8%) were kept in cage all the time, the other rabbits could get exercise outside the cage (few hours/day: 60.5%; ad libitum: 37.6%). The most popular bedding type was wood pellet (78.9%). The most important information sources were veterinarians only (21.1%) followed by veterinarian and other sources (75.2%), internet (64.2%), other rabbit owners (41.3%) and rabbit breeders (8.3%). All 109 animas received commercial dry food and 98.2% of them received hay as well. A variety of other foods were additionally given, such as fresh greens (72.3%), carrots (47.7%), fruits (20.2%), herbs (8.2%) and snacks (4.6%).
Most of the rabbits (56.1%) were vaccinated against RHD1, RHD2 and myxomatosis, while forty-three (43.9%) were vaccinated against RHD1 and myxomatosis. High percentage of owners (65.2%) asked for regular dental check-up and further 17.4% are planning to do so in the future. Beside dental diseases (n=39, 23% of the diseases) the other common findings were gastrointestinal diseases (n=39, 23%), parasites (n=18, 10%), skin disorders (n=10, 7%), pododermatitis (n=10, 7%), renal diseases (n=5, 3%), respiratory diseases (n=5, 3%), trauma (n=4, 2%) and aural disorders (n=4, 2%).
We can conclude that — with a few exceptions — housing and feeding conditions of the rabbits were appropriate. The most commonly reported health problems were similar to the findings of international surveys.
... Physiological monocytopenia occurs in the early stages of stress (due to the vasectomy procedure), whereas pathological monocytopenia occurs after the acute phase of the disease ends (Preanger et al., 2016). The percentage of monocytes in the control group and shows an abnormal range, this is supported by previous studies which state that the normal range of monocytes in mice is in the range of 0.1-3.5% (Clauss et al., 2012;Fahrimal et al., 2014). The difference in the percentage of monocytes in this study was due to the absence of infection, according to the study of Utami et al. (2013) the decrease in the proportion of monocytes is related to the function of monocytes themselves, namely as macrophages, where monocytes are not really needed for phagocytosis because there is no infection that enters the body that triggers monocyte production. ...
... 16 Additionally, high-fibre, good-quality hay is essential to maintain dental and gastrointestinal health 11 and feeding a mix of hay types is recommended. 17 Although there is a body of research and regulations (including minimum cage size requirements) for guinea pigs kept in laboratories, 4 13 18 empirical evidence for factors most impacting upon welfare of companion animals is currently lacking. The authors therefore followed the approach used by Rooney and others 19 on pet rabbits, to survey the UK guinea pig population. ...
Background
Little research has been carried out into how guinea pigs are cared for in the UK, and information regarding potential welfare issues is sparse. This study was designed to examine the five welfare needs, collecting data on the extent to which these are each met by a sample of UK guinea pig owners.
Methods
A survey of 4590 owners was conducted.
Results
Guinea pigs were housed in a variety of ways, but a hutch or cage, with no attached run, was the most common enclosure. The majority reportedly lived with a conspecific, although some lived on their own, or with a rabbit. Significant associations between aspects of housing and husbandry, and behaviour and health were found, for example, the frequency of positive behaviours displayed was higher in those guinea pigs housed with a conspecific and those in larger enclosures, while the number of reported health issues was lower in animals receiving green vegetables more often.
Conclusion
This study has identified common practices, and highlighted some potential welfare issues, which would benefit from further research. The authors suggest improved availability of targeted information may enable owners to improve issues identified here.
... For rabbits, the feeding of hay has been described as beneficial for health maintenance because it has a high fibre content (which maintains a good rate of bowel passage of the ingested content), contributes to the maintenance of dental health (continuous chewing of hay favours suitable dental wear) and is a dry food source. Additionally, it provides increased water intake and hence an increased micturition reflex, producing urine which is less concentrated, thereby reducing the risk of urolith formation (Ferreira et al., 2006;Clauss, 2012;Varga, 2014). ...
pThe aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of feed change on image quality of ultrasound scanning of the gallbladder, kidney and jejunum in New Zealand White kits. Thirty-nine 35-day-old rabbits were used, distributed into 4 diet groups: C, only commercial feed; CH, commercial feed and hay; C24H, only commercial feed, replaced by hay 24 h before examination; and CH24H, commercial feed and hay, with the commercial feed withdrawn 24 h before the exam. The rabbits received the diet for 42 d (from 35 to 77 d of age) and the ultrasound evaluations were performed on days 56 and 77. Ultrasonographic assessment for image quality focused on the possibility of visualisation and an image quality rating (3 scores: unacceptable, acceptable or excellent) for the gallbladder, kidneys and jejunum. The kidneys were visualised in 100% of animals of all diets and ages. There was no difference in visualisation (P>0.05) of the gallbladder among the animals fed different diets on days 56 and 77. The C24H diet had a higher visualisation possibility (P<0.05) of the jejunum compared to the C and CH diets on day 77. For the image quality score, there was no difference in the studied organs on day 56. However, on day 77, there was a difference for the jejunum (P<0.05), and only the C24H and CH24H diets presented images classified as excellent. In conclusion, the image quality of the kidneys and gallbladder was unaffected by feed, and the jejunum had an improved image quality with the inclusion of hay and without the commercial feed 24 h before the test in New Zealand White rabbits at 77 d of age.
... In spite of the esoteric debate about the exact aetiopathogenesis of dental disease, there is general agreement that the ideal diet for pet rabbits would be the same as their wild counterparts (Clauss, 2012 ). This can be accomplished by allowing rabbits to graze outside or collecting a diverse range of grasses and wild plants each day. ...
... Feeding a low fibre, high energy diet may result in a decreased volume of food being consumed, reducing the overall mastication time, thus reducing tooth wear [12,13]. This combined with a decrease in masticatory action from chewing on unnatural foods and lack of naturally abrasive food content can result in a 16-fold reduction in cheek tooth wear [14]. ...
Simple Summary
Dental disease is a serious problem in small mammals, with cases in rabbits well documented. Guinea pigs also suffer from this condition, yet the literature investigating the underlying causes in guinea pigs is limited. Owners of guinea pigs were surveyed to investigate what they fed their animals. It was discovered that there was no relationship between the overall diet of the animals and whether or not they had been diagnosed with dental disease or displayed clinical signs of the disease. However, the environment was important, with animals that had access to the outside, including the use of runs on both concrete and grass, less likely to display clinical signs of disease. Some of the clinical signs of dental disease in guinea pigs, including difficulty eating, were related to dental problems. These findings are important, as many guinea pigs may not have continuous access to the outdoors. Dental disease is a serious welfare concern, as many owners may not pick up on the clinical signs, leaving animals susceptible to pain, dysphagia, malnutrition, and secondary infection. It is important that owners are aware of key clinical signs, particularly in multi-animal households where monitoring food consumption may be challenging.
Abstract
Recent studies have highlighted a high prevalence of dental disease in domestic guinea pigs, yet the aetiology of this multi-factorial disease is still unclear. Factors that have been associated with dental disease include feeding a diet that is high in energy but low in fibre, feeding an insufficiently abrasive diet, a lack of dietary calcium, and genetics. As many of these factors relate to the husbandry requirements of guinea pigs, owner awareness of dietary requirements is of the utmost importance. An online questionnaire was created based on previous research into the husbandry and feeding of rabbits. Guinea pig owners were asked to answer questions on the clinical history of their animals and their diet and management. In total, 150 surveys were completed for 344 guinea pigs, where owners of multiple animals could complete the survey for individuals. According to the owners, 6.7% of guinea pigs had been clinically diagnosed with dental disease, but 16.6% had signs consistent with dental disease. The specific clinical signs of having difficulty eating (Exp(B) = 33.927, Nagelkerke R² = 0.301, p < 0.05) and producing fewer or smaller faecal droppings (Exp(B) = 13.733, Nagelkerke R² = 0.149, p < 0.05) were predictive for the presence of dental disease. Having access to an outside environment, including the use of runs on both concrete and grass, was significantly related to not displaying clinical signs of dental disease (Exp(B) = 1.894, Nagelkerke R² = 0.021, p < 0.05). There was no significant relationship between owner knowledge, guinea pig diet, and dental disease in the study population. This study highlights the importance of access to the outdoors for the health and welfare of guinea pigs in addition to the need for owners to be alert to key clinical signs. A relationship between diet and dental disease was not identified in this study; however, the underlying aetiological causes of this condition require further investigation.
... Many veterinarians recommend increasing the amount of hay in the diet and decreasing the amount of concentrate to prevent recurrence of dental disease in guinea pigs. 18,19 Although this may be successful for guinea pigs that have historically been fed an incorrect diet, recent evidence 20 suggests that a lack of dietary abrasiveness does not result in molar malocclusion, and it has consequently been proposed that dental disease may be hereditary in guinea pigs. 20 This is in contrast to previous suggestions that congenital dental disease is relatively rare in rodents. ...
Guinea pigs are a popular and widely kept companion animal, with recent data suggesting that 0.7 million guinea pigs are kept as pets in the United Kingdom and 1.36 million are kept as pets in the United States. Although guinea pigs experience the typical range of diseases, including various skin and reproductive disorders, the most common medical condition in domestic guinea pigs appears to be dental disease, with prevalences of 36.3% and 23.4% reported in 2 populations. Dental disease is a key welfare concern in guinea pigs, with many guinea pigs developing poor body condition as a result of problems eating. In guinea pigs, the most frequently reported dental abnormality is elongation of the cheek teeth resulting in difficulty closing the mouth, jaw displacement, and malocclusion of the cheek teeth. Affected guinea pigs develop difficulties eating as the mandibular premolar teeth extend into the oral cavity, trapping the tongue, and even early malocclusion can be sufficient to induce anorexia and subsequent cachexia. Some affected animals also develop secondary incisor malocclusion, and as the premolar and molar teeth elongate, the pointed edges can result in injury to soft tissues in the oral cavity.
... This preference for hay corresponds to the natural diet of guinea pigs, which consist mainly of various grasses (Guich on and Cassini, 1998). Grass hay is generally recommended as staple diet item for guinea pigs and should always be available ad libitum (Clauss, 2012;Quesenberry et al., 2012). However, given the fact that guinea pigs do not show particular adaptations to water scarcity (Dicker and Heller, 1951;Dutch and Brown, 1968), constant adequate water provision along with dry feed is imperative. ...
When offered diets with hay ad libitum, rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) clearly prefer open dishes over nipple drinkers, but whether this preference also applies in guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) is unsure. We tested the drinker preference of 10 guinea pigs when offered open dishes (OD) and nipple drinkers (ND) simultaneously and measured the amount of water consumed by each animal on four different diets (grass hay 100%, or as 10% of intake on diets of fresh parsley, seed mix or pelleted complete feed, respectively) on either of the drinking systems. All animals ingested the hay portion of the combined diets first. The amount of water consumed differed significantly between individual animals. Animals drank less water on parsley than on the other diets. Nine of 10 animals clearly preferred ND when having a choice, and eight of these drank more when on ND only. The difference between the drinking systems was not consistent across all diets: on hay, similar amounts of water were drunk when on OD or ND only. Differences in water intake were reflected in urine production. Because drinking from ND in guinea pigs involves jaw movements similar to those in chewing, the results could suggest that when motivation for oral processing behaviour is not satisfied by a diet, animals may respond in using ND beyond physiological water necessity. Whereas physiological water requirements are probably better investigated with other drinking systems due to a possible overestimation when using ND, offering ND to pet guinea pigs most likely offers a form of behavioural enrichment that at the same time may increase water intake and hence act as prophylaxis against urolithiasis.
... The use of green forage as a source of food for rabbits is important (BOURNE, 2012;CLAUSS, 2012) since they are herbivorous animals with teeth and gastrointestinal system adapted to diets rich in fiber (BOURNE, 2012). When forage was supplied for rabbits kept in cages it reduced their inactivity and the expression of abnormal behaviors, selfcleaning and concentrate ingestion, but these changes depended on the day period (morning or afternoon). ...
The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of environmental enrichment with forage (as extra food) on the time spent in inactivity and expressing self-cleaning and abnormal behaviors by rabbits kept in cages. The study was conducted in 17 New Zealand multiparous females at the rabbit facilities in Faculdade de Ciencias Agrarias e Veterinarias, Universidade Estadual Paulista (FCAV-UNESP). Three species of forages were offered simultaneously as environmental enrichment, sugar cane (Saccharum officinarum sp.), mulberry (Morus alba) and ramie (Boehmeria nivea). Behavioral observations were carried out before and after enriching the environment; this was done in four observational periods for each condition, two in the morning (from 06h00min to 09h30min) and two in the afternoon (from 15h00min to 18h00min). Rabbits' behaviors where recorded by direct observation with instantaneous records (with 2min sampling interval) and using animal focal sampling. The time spent in six behavioral categories (I = inactivity, SC = self-cleaning, AB = abnormal behaviors, CI = concentrate and FI = forage ingestion, and OA = other activities) were recorded before and after adding the environmental enrichment. Data were compared using Wilcoxon test. Animals used the environmental enrichment in both periods of the day, and it reduced significantly (P<0.05) the time spent in AB and SC in the morning and I in the afternoon. We concluded that offering forage as environmental enrichment improves the welfare of rabbits kept in cages, as shown by the reduction in the time spent by them showing self-cleaning, abnormal and inactive behaviors.
... Despite recommendations that the ideal diet for pet rabbits is one of grasses, herbs, and leaves mimicking that of their wild counterparts (Clauss, 2012), the benefits of hay for meeting behavioural needs of rabbits, and that rabbits are able to maintain weight gain on forage only diets (Lebas, 2004;Leiber et al., 2008), studies suggest that at least 15-17% of pet rabbits do not have access to hay (Mullan and Main, 2006;Schepers et al., 2009) and 36-42% are not fed recommended amounts (PDSA, 2011(PDSA, , 2012. Veterinary surgeons frequently recommend feeding rabbits concentrates in limited amounts, as it is recognised that owners may often feed what may be considered excessive amounts of concentrate diets (Harcourt-Brown, 2002;Meredith, 2006;PDSA, 2011) but it is unclear as to whether ad libitum (ad lib) access to hay is routinely recommended. ...
Dietary composition and presentation impacts on the behaviour of animals, and failure to provide a suitable diet can lead to reduced welfare through the development of poor health, the inability to express normal behaviours and the development of abnormal behaviours. This study assessed the effects of two commonly fed pet rabbit diets (extruded nuggets with hay (EH) and muesli with hay (MH)) alongside hay only (HO) and muesli only (MO) on the behaviour of 32 Dutch rabbits observed over 17 months. Increased time spent feeding was observed in the groups fed ad libitum hay (HO, EH, MH) compared to the MO group (P < 0.05). A corresponding high level of inactivity was observed in the MO group compared to rabbits receiving hay (P < 0.05). In the groups provided with hay a preference to consume hay in a natural grazing posture was observed. The higher activity levels and absence of abnormal behaviours when hay was fed support recommendations that forage should form a significant portion of the diet for domestic rabbits.
... The other major dietary factor considered responsible for dental abnormalities are easily digestible (i.e., low-fiber) diets that limit the absolute food intake, because energetic requirements are met by small amounts of such diets, leading to insufficient chewing activity and hence insufficient attrition (Wolf and Kamphues, '96;Crossley, 2003;Meredith, 2007;Harkness et al., 2010;Lord, 2011). Feeding pet rabbits dried forages as the staple diet item is therefore-amongst other reasons-recommended (Boehmer and Koestlin, '88;Clauss, 2012). Whether dietary abrasiveness itself, in addition to the effect of food intake and chewing activity, is also important has so far not been investigated. ...
Although patterns of tooth wear are crucial in palaeo-reconstructions, and dental wear abnormalities are important in veterinary medicine, experimental investigations on the relationship between diet abrasiveness and tooth wear are rare. Here, we investigated the effect of four different pelleted diets of increasing abrasiveness (due to both internal [phytoliths] and external abrasives [sand]) or whole grass hay fed for 2 weeks each in random order to 16 rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) on incisor and premolar growth and wear, and incisor and cheek tooth length. Wear and tooth length differed between diets, with significant effects of both internal and external abrasives. While diet abrasiveness was linked to tooth length for all tooth positions, whole forage had an additional effect on upper incisor length only. Tooth growth was strongly related to tooth wear and differed correspondingly between diets and tooth positions. At 1.4–3.2 mm/week, the growth of cheek teeth measured in this study was higher than previously reported for rabbits. Dental abnormalities were most distinct on the diet with sand. This study demonstrates that concepts of constant tooth growth in rabbits requiring consistent wear are inappropriate, and that diet form (whole vs. pelleted) does not necessarily affect cheek teeth. Irrespective of the strong effect of external abrasives, internal abrasives have the potential to induce wear and hence exert selective pressure in evolution. Detailed differences in wear effects between tooth positions allow inferences about the mastication process. Elucidating feedback mechanisms that link growth to tooth-specific wear represents a promising area of future research. J. Exp. Zool. 9999A: XX–XX, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Nursing clinics are an excellent time to provide information to prospective and current owners about their pets. Rabbits are an often-overlooked pet and encouraging rabbit owners to attend nurse-led rabbit clinics can help to correct any underlying husbandry issues to prevent disease. Subtle signs of ill health can also be identified during nursing clinics, resulting in reduced morbidity. Of particular note, geriatric rabbit clinics should be performed frequently, as geriatric rabbits are more prone to developing disease compared with their younger counterparts.
Introduction
Obesity reduces both the longevity and the quality of life of pet animals. For pet rabbits, there is a dearth of research focusing on obesity. This paper provides an overview of the available information on obesity in rabbits and discusses approaches to its prevention and treatment.
Method
The prevalence of being overweight/obesity in pet rabbits varies from 5.9% to 35%, depending on study origin and assessment method. Six potential risk factors for rabbit obesity are identified, namely age, breed, sex and neutered status, diet, housing, and owner characteristics.
Conclusion
Obesity in rabbits has myriad consequences, including osteoarthritis, pododermatitis, hepatic lipidosis, atherosclerosis, insulin resistance, and increased risk of postanesthetic complications. Obesity in pet rabbits can be practically diagnosed with body condition scoring, but validation is needed. Prevention of obesity should be prioritized before treatment, but both involve facilitating more exercise, limiting concentrated calorie intake, and offering plenty of hay to pet rabbits.
Background : Degus, in comparison to other exotic mammals, are infrequently brought to veterinary practices. Even though they are not encountered often, it is important for veterinary practitioners to understand how to deal with this species, and advise owners of the best possible care.
Aim of the article : This article aims to ensure that readers are comfortable with not only the ideal care of this species, but also how to perform an accurate clinical examination, diagnose and treat some of the most common issues in this species.
Common medical problems diagnosed and treated in individual companion exotic mammals are relevant in a herd-health setting. Many of these problems are often associated with poor husbandry and/or inappropriate nutrition. Rabbits, ferrets, chinchillas, and rodents have been domesticated alongside humans and an understanding of their ethology gives veterinarians a base knowledge in making recommendations for animals in their care. This article briefly reviews the ethology and husbandry in such species, but detailed needs are beyond the scope of this article.
Urolithiasis represents a common, potentially life-threatening condition in pet guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus). The purpose of this study is to determine the potential association between signalment, packed cell volume, total solids, selected biochemical parameters, and imaging evidence of urolithiasis in client-owned guinea pigs presented to two veterinary teaching hospitals. Medical record databases from two veterinary teaching hospitals were searched for cases of client-owned guinea pigs that had both a plasma biochemistry panel and an imaging study performed during one medical event. Other parameters including age, sex, weight, packed cell volume, and total solids were also recorded.
Of the 81 guinea pigs that met the inclusion criteria, 32 animals (40%) had evidence of urolithiasis present on at least one of their imaging modalities. The odds for the imaging presence of urolithiasis increased with a decreasing packed cell volume, an increasing plasma creatinine concentration, and with a decreasing plasma phosphorus concentration.
While these variables were statistically significant and associated with imaging presence of urolithiasis, they had low predictive value to discriminate between guinea pigs with and without imaging evidence of urolithiasis.
Given the relatively high prevalence of urolithiasis in guinea pigs in this study, imaging is strongly recommended for every animal with suspected affliction.
The same standard of veterinary care should be given to all pets. As pet rabbits become more popular, it is important that veterinary clinics are familiar with performing general wellness check-ups. It is more difficult to detect signs of illness in pet rabbits than in cats and dogs because they are a prey species. Knowing the first indications of illness in pet rabbits is critical to performing a thorough examination. It is also important to educate pet rabbit owners to look for these signs at home. All of this begins with a routine, annual wellness examination. A wellness examination encompasses a lot, from a thorough history, complete physical assessment of the pet, to recommending proper husbandry. Veterinary nurses should be comfortable with all of these aspects of a complete rabbit wellness examination.
A two-and-half-year-old male neutered rabbit was referred for investigation of intermittent urinary disease of 13 months in duration. Case work-up led to the diagnosis of unilateral hydroureteronephrosis following obstructive ureterolithiasis. The establishment of contralateral kidney function before ureteronephrectomy constituted a particular diagnostic challenge. This was assessed by a combination of imaging, serum biochemistry, urine protein to creatinine ratio and γ-glutamyltransferase index. Ureteronephrectomy was subsequently performed, with initial remission of all clinical signs. However, an adhesion of mesenteric adipose tissue to the caecum was identified and resected following frequent re-presentation. At the time of submission (800 days following initial surgery), the rabbit was still alive and healthy. The successful outcome may indicate a more favourable prognosis for rabbits with unilateral ureteronephrolithiasis and/or hydroureteronephrosis than is historically proposed.
Dental diseases are among the most important reasons for presenting guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) and other rodents to veterinary clinics, but the aetiopathology of this disease complex is unclear. Clinicians tend to believe that the ever-growing teeth of rabbits and rodents have a constant growth that needs to be worn down by the mastication of an appropriate diet. In this study, we tested the effect of four different pelleted diets of increasing abrasiveness [due to both internal (phytoliths) and external abrasives (sand)] or whole grass hay fed for 2 weeks each in random order to 16 guinea pigs on incisor growth and wear, and tooth length of incisors and cheek teeth. There was a positive correlation between wear and growth of incisors. Tooth lengths depended both on internal and external abrasives, but only upper incisors were additionally affected by the feeding of whole hay. Diet effects were most prominent in anterior cheek teeth, in particular M1 and m1. Cheek tooth angle did not become shallower with decreasing diet abrasiveness, suggesting that a lack of dietary abrasiveness does not cause the typical ‘bridge formation’ of anterior cheek teeth frequently observed in guinea pigs. The findings suggest that other factors than diet abrasiveness, such as mineral imbalances and in particular hereditary malocclusion, are more likely causes for dental problems observed in this species.
This article reviews diagnosis and management of gastrointestinal diseases in guinea pigs and rabbits. The review includes established causes of gastrointestinal disease in these species. The authors highlight syndromes that may be considered emerging or less-recognized causes of gastrointestinal stasis, including gastric dilation and volvulus in guinea pigs and lead toxicity, colonic entrapment, and liver torsion in rabbits. Practitioners should recommend initial diagnostics, including radiographs and blood work on guinea pigs and rabbits presenting with nonspecific signs of gastrointestinal stasis, to better determine possible cause and make the best treatment recommendations.
Based on the content of feces, we studied the food habits of the endangered rodent Chinchilla lanigera. On a seasonal basis, during two years of contrasting rain levels (1992 = 242 mm; 1993 = 123 mm), we collected chinchilla feces from El Cuyano ravine, adjacent to the Chinchilla National Reserve in north central Chile (31° 29′ 10.8″ S, 71° 03′ 43.9″ W). The main plant species eaten was the perennial graminoid Nassella chilensis. Chinchillas showed a broader trophic niche during the rainy year, than during the dry year, consuming 55.5 and 40.7% of the 38 and 27 plants available, respectively. Within the wet year the diet differed less between winter and summer (Horn similarity index R0= 0.58) than within the dry year (R0= 0.83). Between years, the diet differed more during winters (R0= 0.20) than during summers (R0= 0.52). Chinchillas are folivorous, using a feeding pattern of a generalist species. The opportunistic feeding behavior of chinchillas may be an adaptation to the harsh conditions and high variability in food availability triggered by fluctuations in rainfall among years in the arid north central Chile.
Wild guinea pigs (cavies: Cavia aperea pamparum) are neotropical rodents that frequently inhabit linear habitats as field margins and roadsides which have a zone of tall and dense vegetation. Cavies use them for protection from predators, and feed in adjacent open zones of short vegetation. The aim of this study is to determine the factors that influence the spatial distribution of cavies along these linear habitats. Our hypothesis was that diet preferences for certain plant species or group of species influenced the use of space by cavies. The study area was a field margin of 750 m long, sampled in winter and summer. Diet selection was studied by microhistological analysis of faeces and by field experiments. The composition of the vegetation was sampled by a punctual interception method and abundance of cavies was estimated by direct observation of the animals. Cavies preferred Gramineae plants and, in particular, Lolium sp.; but animal distribution along the field margin was not related to these plant preferences. Other characteristics of the feeding sites, e.g. quality of the food with respect to its water content, availability of shade, and differential predation risk, could explain the spatial distribution of the animals. This is the first systematic study of diet and habitat use conducted on cavies, which combines observational and experimental studies in the field to study the relationship between these two important aspects of behaviour.
Rabbits are found in virtually every country in the world, providing protein, fiber, animal research, and companionship (third to dogs and cats). Because of an ability to utilize low-grain and high- roughage diets, they have the potential to be a future protein source. Classified as an herbivorous nonrumi- nant, rabbits have a simple, noncompartmentalized stomach along with an enlarged cecum and colon inhab- ited by a microbial population (primarily Bacteroides). Rabbits practice coprophagy, which enhances strate- gies of high feed intake (65 to 80 g/kg BW) and fast feed transit time (19 h), allowing rabbits to meet nutritional requirements. Coprophagy also increases protein di- gestibility (50 vs 75-80% for alfalfa). Feces are excreted on a circadian rhythm, and data indicate that the inter- nal cycle differs when shifting from ad libitum to re- stricted feeding. Microbes digest cellulose (14% in rab- bits vs 44% in cattle) in the hindgut of the rabbit, but the contribution of amino acids from microbial protein is thought to be minimal. Lysine and methionine may be limited in traditional diets, and urea is not utilized. Acetate is the primary microbial VFA, with more buty- rate than propionate. Unlike ruminants, more VFA are
Der Einfluß von losem Heu in der Fütterung auf den Haarverzehr beim Kaninchen
In der Untersuchung wurde die Hypothese überprüft, daß die Verfütterung von losem Heu das Haarfressen beim Kaninchen verhindern kann. Dazu erhielten Kaninchen (105 Tiere pro Gruppe) im Alter von 4–5 Wochen drei verschiedene Rationen ad libitum, eine pelletierte Kontrolldiät, eine pelletierte Diät mit 20% Heumehl bzw. eine pelletierte Diät plus loses Heu. Das Haarfressen wurde auf Grund des Haarausfalles an den Vordergliedmaßen und des Haargehaltes im Magen nach der Schlachtung beurteilt. Die Fütterung von losem Heu und von Heumehl führte zu einem verringertem Haarausfall am Rücken der Tiere. Durch die Gabe von losem Heu, nicht aber von Heumehl, wurde ein Haarausfall an den Vordergliedmaßen gänzlich verhindert. Der Haargehalt im Magen der Kaninchen war durch die Fütterung mit losem Heu deutlich verringert.
Net photosynthesis, respiration and translocation in growing plants cause a circadian rhythm in forage quality. Soluble sugar concentrations increase in plants during the day causing a dilution in ADF and NDF and an increase in RFQ and RFV. Herbivores show a strong preference for afternoon (PM) vs morning (AM) harvested forage. Cattle, sheep, goats, horses and rabbits are able to distinguish between two similar hays that differ by as little as 0.5% soluble sugar. Dairy cows fed total mixed rations containing 50% Idaho grown alfalfa produced 6% more milk when the hay had been cut in the afternoon vs. cut in the morning. No difference in milk production was measured when cows were fed the PM-and AM-cut Wisconsin hays. Sheep and rabbits have a strong preference for PM vs. AM-cut alfalfa but when not given a choice, they eat the same amount of each ha y. During the spring season, cattle in 24 h strip grazing studies in Argentina, gained more weight (2.5 vs. 1.2 lbs./d) when given access to fresh pasture each afternoon (3 pm) compared to those given access each morning (7 am). Extrapolating the benefit of afternoon swathing to 25% of the alfalfa in the western United States has an annual value of nearly $300 million. Continued research is needed to identify conditions where these management strategies would be appropriate.
A b s t r a c t . Abundance of the European hare (Lepus europaeus Pallas, 1778) has been declining dramatically in Europe. In the framework of our long-term ecological studies in the juniper forest at Bugac, Hungary, we have also monitored its population abundance. At the beginning of our researches the European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus Linné, 1758) had been the dominant herbivore species there, but as a result of two diseases in 1994 and 1995 they disappeared. Earlier studies had showed competition between these two species, therefore we expected a significant increase in the local hare abundance after the extinction of rabbits. Our results, however, did not comply with this supposition. Nonetheless, experimental comparison of the vegetation in grazed and ungrazed plots proved that rabbits had been significantly decreasing the vegetation cover, especially that of grasses; meanwhile hares did not. Although grasses were the main food components of both species, their moderate diet overlap throughout the year does not suggest a food competition between them. All these findings show that population size of hares was not significantly limited by rabbits due to trophic overlap. Competitive effect of rabbit on sympatric hares had been low or it was expressed by the depreciation of other non-investigated population characteristics.
A sufficient dietary fibre supply is essential to prevent digestive troubles in the growing rabbit. The most recent recommendations have implicated several classes of fibre, including low-digested fibre (lignocellulose) and digestible fibre (hemicelluloses and pectins). Moreover, agro-industrial by-products (brans and pulps), rich in digestible fibre, are often incorporated in rabbit feeding, although this fibre fraction is not analysed by the current routine method. Therefore, the present review focuses on the respective role of low-digested and digestible fibre fractions in the digestive health of the growing rabbit, after weaning. It gives levels of fibre classes, including pectins, in some feed ingredients classically used in rabbit feeding. A brief overview of some characteristics of dietary fibre and some routine methods to estimate fibre fractions in animal feed ingredients are presented.
Abstract not available.
Poor calcification of the teeth and the bones of the skull predisposes pet rabbits to dental disease. This study is a preliminary investigation into the dietary habits of pet rabbits. Owners were questioned about the feeding preferences of their pets. Manufacturers of rabbit foods were asked about the calcium, phosphorus and vitamin D content of their foods and how they had decided upon the formulation of their rations. Samples of rabbit food were analysed for calcium and phosphorus. Rabbits were found to be selective feeders. Rabbit food from pet shops consists of a mixed ration, of which the most commonly rejected ingredients were pellets and whole grain. The food manufacturers reported that calcium, phosphorus and vitamin D supplements are incorporated into the pellets. Food analyses demonstrated that rejection of the pellets and whole grain from the food can reduce a rabbit's calcium intake to below the minimum dietary requirement. The rabbit's unusual calcium metabolism is discussed. Calcium deficiency may cause osteomalacia but dietary excess may cause urolithiasis. Vitamin D deficiency may also exacerbate calcium deficiency. Recommendations are made for preventing calcium deficiency and dental disease in rabbits.
This book reviews the biology of the rabbit as a successful invader and colonizer, summarizing many long-term scientific studies and the history of efforts to control it in Britain, continental Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. Enjoyed for its meat and fur, but cursed for its impact on ecosystems and agriculture, the rabbit is often at the centre of ecological controversy. The first two chapters describe the origins, evolution, and taxonomy of Oryctolagus cuniculus and its natural and assisted spread. The following four chapters on Europe, Britain, Australia, and New Zealand cover common subjects such as reproduction, population-dynamics, and control operations. The parallels and contrasts in the behaviour, ecology, and management of rabbits in very different environments are fascinating. The last chapter gives a comprehensive review of myxomatosis, arguably the most important and best-studied epizootic in the history of wildlife management.
Rabbits are small herbivores and have evolved digestive and feeding strategies that facilitate their ability to utilize an herbage-based diet. The rabbit is a nonruminant herbivore with an enlarged hindgut. The nutritional needs of laboratory rabbits are often quite different from those of animals raised for commercial purposes. The main concerns of a nutritional nature are preventing obesity because of excessive energy intake and avoiding kidney damage because of high urinary calcium excretion. The urine is the main route of calcium excretion in rabbits, and dietary calcium levels are frequently excessive because of the high level of alfalfa meal in many commercial diets. Deposits of insoluble calcium carbonate may occur in the urinary tract with prolonged feeding of high calcium diets. Obesity in laboratory rabbits can be prevented by limiting the quantity of diet fed to a level adequate to maintain desired body condition. Rather than limiting quantity of feed given, a low energy, high fiber maintenance diet can be fed ad libitum. The dietary fiber has an important effect in reducing enteritis. Fiber also protects against fur chewing and formation of trichobezoars in the stomach. The amount of water required is influenced by the level of feed intake, feed composition, and environmental temperature. When deprived of feed, rabbits develop polydypsia, resulting in a loss of sodium and induced sodium deficiency. A major type of enteritis is enterotoxemia, caused by gut pathogens, such as Clostridium spiroforme and Escherichia coli, which elaborate toxins that are absorbed. Other disorders with a nutritional component include fur chewing and pasteurellosis. Fur chewing is associated with low fiber diets and may lead to the formation of trichobezoars (hair balls). Increasing the dietary fiber or the particle size of the fiber is effective in overcoming fur chewing. Pasteurellosis can be influenced by diet. High dietary protein levels lead to high excretion of urea and elevated levels of ammonia in the environment..
This study describes the diet of two populations of European wild rabbits inhabiting a maritime sand dune system and a scrubland, in Central Portugal. Histological analyses were applied to 11 monthly samples of rabbit droppings from each study site. Results obtained were compared and an evaluation of the quantitative and qualitative similarity of the food consumed by both populations was carried out. In the sand dune habitat grasses formed the bulk of the diet throughout the year (53%), three species accounting for about 40% of the yearly diet : Dactylis glomerata, Holcus lanatus and Ammophila arenaria, characteristically coastal species. By contrast, in the scrubland, although grasses represented a substantial part of the diet (38%), dicotyledon species were the most widely eaten (48%), particularly Cistus salvifolius, Cistus crispus and Ulex parviflorus. The diet of rabbits at the sand dune habitat was more varied in winter and summer, but in the scrubland, a more diversified diet was found in winter and spring. The differences between the food choices of the two populations are discussed on the basis of the preferences of rabbit and the availability of particular food items, especially regarding endemic or rare plant species.
Gastrointestinal disease is the most common reason that pet rabbits are presented for veterinary evaluation and treatment. Most of the problems affecting a house rabbit's gastrointestinal health are caused by hereditary or husbandry factors, many of which can be managed with basic veterinary procedures and appropriate diet.
Rabbits absorb more calcium (Ca) from their diet than they require, and excrete surplus via urine, which therefore contains a typical 'sludge'. This makes rabbits susceptible to Ca-containing uroliths. But given the Ca content of diets of free-ranging specimens, and the limited reports of urinary sludge and Ca contents in free-ranging lagomorphs, we can suspect that rabbits are naturally adapted to high urinary Ca loads. We fed four groups of New Zealand hybrid rabbits [n = 28, age at start 5-6 weeks) pelleted diets consisting of lucerne hay only (L, Ca 2.32% dry matter (DM)], lucerne:oats 1:1 (LG, Ca 1.36%), grass hay only (G, Ca 1.04%), or grass:oats 1:1 (GG, 0.83%) for 25 weeks, with water available ad libitum. Diets were not supplemented with Ca, phosphorus, or vitamin D. Rabbits on diets LG and GG had lower food and water intakes, lower faeces and urine output, grew faster and had higher body mass at slaughter (mainly attributable to adipose tissue). Apparent Ca digestibility decreased in the order L-LG-G/GG. Rabbits on L had larger and heavier kidneys, more urinary sediment at sonography, and a higher urinary Ca content than the other groups. No animal showed signs of urolithiasis/calcinosis at X-ray, sonography, or gross pathology. Kidney/aorta histology only sporadically indicated Ca deposits, with no systematic difference between groups. Under the conditions of the experiment, dietary Ca loads in legume hay do not appear problematic for rabbits, and other factors, such as water supply and level of activity may be important contributors to urolithiasis development in veterinary patients. However, due to the lower Ca content of grass hay, the significantly lower degree of urinary sludge formation, and the significantly higher water intake related with grass hay feeding, grass hay-dominated diets are to be recommended for rabbits in which urolithiasis prevention is an issue.
A colonic separation mechanism (CSM) is the prerequisite for the digestive strategy of coprophagy. Two different CSM are known in small herbivores, the 'wash-back' CSM of lagomorphs and the 'mucous-trap' CSM of rodents. Differences between these groups in their digestive pattern when fed exclusively hay were investigated in six rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) and six guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus). Intake, digestibility (by total faecal collection), solute and particle mean retention times (MRT, using Co-EDTA and Cr-mordanted fibres) were measured. Rabbits selected less fibrous parts of the hay than guinea pigs, leaving orts with higher content of neutral detergent fibre [NDF; 721 ± 21 vs. 642 ± 31 g/kg dry matter (DM) in guinea pigs]. They also expressed a lower NDF digestibility (0.44 ± 0.10 vs. 0.55 ± 0.05 of total), a similar particle MRT (15 ± 3 vs. 18 ± 6 h), a longer solute MRT (51 ± 9 vs. 16 ± 4 h), and a lower calculated dry matter gut fill (19.6 ± 4.7 vs. 29.7 ± 4.1 g DM/kg body mass) than guinea pigs (p < 0.05 for each variable). These results support the assumption that the 'wash-back' CSM, exhibited in the rabbits, is more efficient in extracting bacterial matter from the colonic digesta plug than the 'mucous-trap' CSM found in the guinea pigs. Related to metabolic body mass, rabbits therefore need a less capacious colon for their CSM where a more efficient bacteria wash-out is reflected in the lower fibre digestibility. A lighter digestive tract could contribute to a peculiarity of lagomorphs: their ability to run faster than other similar-sized mammals.
Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) are often presented suffering from urolithiasis. A high water intake is important in the prophylaxis of uroliths. We investigated the influence factors for water intake using 12 rabbits subjected to different feed and water regimes with practical relevance: Hay, fresh parsley, a seed mix and two different pelleted feed were offered in diverse combinations. Water was provided either by open dish or nipple drinker. Water was accessible ad libitum except for four treatments with 6 h or 12 h water access. Under the different feeding regimes, the drinker had no influence on water intake, but faecal dry matter content was significantly higher with nipple drinkers [60.0 ± 2.1 vs. 57.2 ± 2.1% of wet weight (mean ± 95% confidence interval), p = 0.003]. Dry food led to a higher drinking water intake but total water intake was still lower than with addition of 'fresh' food. With restricted water access, rabbits exhibited a significantly higher water intake with open dishes compared with nipple drinkers (54.9 ± 9.8 vs. 48.1 ± 8.2 g/kg(0.75) /day (mean ± 95% confidence interval), p = 0.04). High proportions of fresh parsley or hay in the diet enhanced total water intake and urine output, and led to lower urinary dry matter content and lower urinary calcium concentrations. Restricted access to drinkers led to a decreased total daily water intake and increased dry matter content of urine and faeces. For optimal water provision and urolith prophylaxis, we recommend a diet with a high 'fresh food' proportion as well as additionally hay ad libitum with free water access, offered in an open bowl.
One million pet rabbits are kept in The Netherlands, but there are no data available on their behaviour and welfare. This study seeks to assess the welfare of pet rabbits in Dutch households and is a first step in the development of a welfare assessment system. In an internet survey, housing systems, general up-keep and behaviour of pet rabbits were reported by their owners. The answers of 912 respondents were analysed with behavioural observations carried out on 66 rabbits in as many households. The rabbits were observed in their home cage and during three fear-related tests: a contact test, a handling test and an open-field test. The survey revealed that the average lifespan of the rabbits is approximately 4.2 years (the maximum potential lifespan is 13 years) and solitary housing appears to reduce lifespan. Close to half of respondents subjected their rabbit(s) to solitary housing and the majority housed them in relatively small cages (< 5,000 cm2). Health risks may arise from a failure to inoculate rabbits and via inappropriate diet. During the contact test, solitary-housed rabbits made more contacts with a human than group-housed rabbits and rabbits in a small housing system made more contacts than those in a large system. Observations in the home cage differed greatly compared with the natural time budget of rabbits, ie displaying increased stereotypic behaviour and decreased foraging and, in solitary-housed rabbits, a complete lack of social behaviour. Nearly 25% of rabbits displayed strong resistance to being picked up, indicating socialisation problems. During the open-field test, solitary-housed rabbits sat up more than social-housed rabbits suggesting increased fearfulness. These findings indicate that the conditions in which pet rabbits are kept often have a negative impact on their welfare, further underlining the need to study this in greater detail
Animals with partial alopecia were seen frequently in a breeding colony of guinea pigs. No pathologic aetiology could be determined. An influence of nutrition on the density of the hair coat was considered. Breeding groups were fed one of the commercial guinea pig diets of differing composition, with or without the addition of hay. Observation occurred over a period of months and the quality of the hair coat was evaluated periodically using a semi-quantitative scoring system. More extensive and more frequent fur defects were found is guinea pigs receiving a breeding diet with a high content of crude protein (23%) and a low level of crude fibre (12%), offered hay only restrictively compared with animals receiving a diet with a lower content of crude protein (15.5%) and a higher level of crude fibre (19.5%), offered the same amount of hay. The amount of hay offered is of paramount importance. Animals fed only the diet with the higher level of crude fibre (19.5%), according to the manufacturer's instructions as a complete food, without the addition of hay, showed a less dense hair coat within 4 weeks. In our colony a group of five breeding animals and their young required 200 g of hay daily in order to improve their hair coat quality to normal. Conversely, animals receiving less hay had progressively deteriorating hair coat density. Not only the amount of hay offered, but also the accessibility for all animals plays a role in preventing alopecia in guinea pigs. In larger cages (twice the usual ground surface area) fur defects were seen when the same amount of hay (200 g) was offered in only one central area, rather than spread out evenly throughout the cage. Hair loss was observed to be the result of trichophagia between adult animals kept in the same cage. The need for crude fibre of breeding animals does not appear to be completely met by pellets rich in fibre segments.
The rabbit's gastrointestinal physiology is a complex system that centers around the separation of digestible and indigestible components of the diet in the proximal colon. The clinical importance of this system is the need for a consistent diet high in long particle length (> 0.5 mm) indigestible fiber to maintain the motility of the cecum and colon. Most of the common gastrointestinal problems seen in captive rabbits are related to inappropriate diets (low fiber; high protein; high carbohydrate) and infrequent feeding of treats to which the rabbit is not accustomed. Many of these problems can be avoided if captive rabbits are fed a diet consisting primarily of fibrous vegetation, such as grass, hay, and fibrous weeds. Feeding of fruits, grains, and carbohydrate or fat-based treats should be avoided. Pelleted feeds, although convenient, should be kept to a minimum, and where pellets are used those manufactured by an extrusion process, which retains the long particle length of the indigestible fiber, should be chosen.
One hundred and two pet rabbits were examined and their husbandry, health and welfare were reviewed. The most common breed was the dwarf lop (n = 38). The most common problem was dental disease, which affected 30 rabbits although only six of their owners were aware of the problem, which was significantly associated with feeding a rabbit mix. All the rabbits were housed in ;hutches' at some stage, but 89 had access to the outside and 47 came inside the home at times. Hutches bought at pet shops were significantly smaller than home-made hutches. Forty-five of the rabbits were housed alone; the relationships between rabbits with rabbit companions were described by their owners as ;very friendly' for 84 per cent of them and ;quite friendly' for the rest.
Four groups of eight New Zealand hybrid rabbits were fattened with ad libitum access to the following pelleted experimental diets: ryegrass meal or alfalfa meal fed either alone or with oats meal in a ratio of 1:1. After 25 weeks they were slaughtered and dissected. Fatty acid (FA) profiles of caecotrophs (re-ingested fermentation products of the caecum), perirenal adipose tissue and intramuscular fat in the Musculus quadriceps were determined. With high proportions of branched-chain FA (BFA) and trans FA, and increased proportions of saturated FA relative to the diets, the caecotroph FA profile showed a clear fingerprint of anaerobe microbial lipid metabolism including biohydrogenation. By contrast, the FA profiles of adipose and lean tissue comprised high proportions of polyunsaturated FA (PUFA), whilst BFA and trans FA occurred in much lower proportions compared to the caecotrophs. Thus, coprophagy did not substantially modify the FA composition of the tissues investigated. Use of forage-only diets, compared to the oats supplemented diets, led to extraordinary high proportions of n-3 PUFA (including 18:3 and long-chain n-3) in the fat of adipose (21.3 vs. 6.7%) and lean tissue (15.4 vs. 5.7%). The forage type diet (grass vs. alfalfa) had smaller effects on the FA profiles. Indications of diet effects on endogenous desaturation, chain elongation and differential distribution of functional FA between the two tissues investigated were found.
Biology, hus-bandry, and clinical techniques of guinea pigs and chin-chillas Ferrets, Rabbits, and Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery
- Quesenberry Ke
- Donnelly Tm
- Hillyer
- Ev
Quesenberry KE, Donnelly TM, Hillyer EV: Biology, hus-bandry, and clinical techniques of guinea pigs and chin-chillas, in Quesenberry KE, Carpenter JW (eds): Ferrets, Rabbits, and Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery. St. Louis, MO, Elsevier/Saunders, pp 232-244, 2004
Umfrage zur Fütterung und Tränke von Kaninchen (Oryctolagus cuniculi) in der FIGURE 2. Comparison of a late-cut hay with a high proportion of stems from tall-growing grasses (left) and a second-cut hay of low-growing grasses (right). Photo courtesy of Priska Küng
- A Tschudin
- M Clauss
- J-M Hatt
Tschudin A, Clauss M, Hatt J-M: Umfrage zur Fütterung
und Tränke von Kaninchen (Oryctolagus cuniculi) in der
FIGURE 2. Comparison of a late-cut hay with a high proportion of stems from tall-growing grasses (left) and a
second-cut hay of low-growing grasses (right). Photo courtesy of Priska Küng.
Vergleichende Untersuchungen zur Futteraufnahme von Zwergkaninchen, Meerschweinchen und Chinchilla bei Angebot unterschiedlich konfektionierter Einzel- und Mischfuttermittel
- Schröder
Schröder A: Vergleichende Untersuchungen zur Futteraufnahme von Zwergkaninchen, Meerschweinchen und Chinchilla bei Angebot unterschiedlich konfektionierter Einzelund Mischfuttermittel. Doctoral thesis, TiHo Hannover,
Hannover, 2000
Disease problems of guinea pigs Ferrets, Rabbits, and Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery
- O ' Rourke
O'Rourke DP: Disease problems of guinea pigs, in
Quesenberry KE, Carpenter JW (eds): Ferrets, Rabbits, and
Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery. St. Louis, MO,
Saunders Elsevier, pp 245-254, 2004
Supplemente zu Vor-lesungen und U¨bungen in der Tierernährung, 11. Auflage. Alfeld-Hannover
- Kamphues J M Coenen
- C Iben
Kamphues J, Coenen M, Iben C, et al: Supplemente zu Vor-lesungen und U¨bungen in der Tierernährung, 11. Auflage. Alfeld-Hannover, M. & H. Shaper, 2009
- Clauss
Clauss/Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine 21 (2012), pp 80-86
Care and management The Biology of the Guinea Pig
- Rd Ediger
Ediger RD: Care and management, in Wagner JE, Manning
PJ (eds): The Biology of the Guinea Pig. New York, NY,
Academic Press, pp 5-12, 1976
Diurnal changes in forage quality and their effects on animal preference, intake, and performance
- H Mayland
- P Gregorini
- D Mertens
Mayland H, Gregorini P, Mertens D, et al: Diurnal changes
in forage quality and their effects on animal preference,
intake, and performance, in Proceedings of the 35th Californian Alfalfa & Forage Symposium, Visalia, CA Davis,
University of California, pp 223-230, 2005
Umfrage zur Fütterung und Tränke von Kaninchen (Oryctolagus cuniculi) in der Schweiz 2008/2009
- Tschudin