Laboratory Animal Care and Use Program and Facilities AALAS Continuing Education & Professional Development Series ALAT Ch. 21 Rabbits ALAT Ch. 22 Cats LATG Ch. 13 Common Diseases Dan Domer, DVM 4/28/10
Rabbits
Rabbits American Fuzzy Lop www.arba.net American English Angora Netherland Dwarf Dutch Tan American Sable American Chinchilla Dwarf Hotot Californian Florida White Flemish Giant Lilac Silver Checkered Giant English Lop Palomino Rhinelander Satin Laboratory Cinnamon Animal Care and Use Program and Facilities
Rabbits Oryctolagus cuniculi Breeds New Zealand White Dutch Belted
Rabbits Uses in research Atherosclerosis Ophthalmology Antibody production Cancer models Infectious disease Diabetes mellitus
Rabbits Anatomy Ears Vascular Thermoregulation Teeth Peg teeth Hypsodont All teeth grow throughout life
Rabbits Anatomy Skeleton vs. muscle Broken backs Toenails Wild vs. Laboratory Feces Pellets Night feces Vitamin B, protein Coprophagy
Rabbits Anatomy Urine Yellow to red-brown Cloudy Intestinal bacteria Transportation stress Diet change antibiotics
Rabbits Reproduction Does Narrow head Large dewlap Sexing Induced ovulation Bucks Large head No dewlap
Rabbits Male Vent Vent Female
Rabbits Reproduction Mating Doe goes to buck s cage Kits sexing
Rabbits Reproduction Nesting Doe pulls her own fur to make a soft, warm bed for kits
Rabbits Restraint Watch the BACK and EARS! Scruff the nape of the neck Support the hind end
Rabbits Restraint Devices Restrainers Restraint bags/cat bags
Rabbits Behavior Active Curious Chew cage cards Posture Even weight distribution Stretch when warm
Rabbits Behavior Cage protection/aggression Foot stomping Rearing and charging Vocalization and urination Actions to take: Toss a towel on the rabbit» Might need a 2 nd towel Gently take the rabbit from the cage
Rabbits Signs of pain, distress, illness Subtle (prey animal) Anorexia Lethargy Tooth grinding Vocalizations Pale mucous membranes
Rabbits Husbandry 61-72 F Less fur shedding Air filters Room cleaning Hairballs
Rabbits Husbandry Single housing
Rabbits Husbandry Group housing for females or juvenile males
Rabbits Husbandry Change pans under cages 3+/week Dried minerals urine scale" Clean racks every 1-2 weeks Monitor urine and feces Dump old feed before adding new feed Feed according to rabbits weights
Rabbits Husbandry Diet pelleted feed Fiber -- hay Water If they don t drink, they don t eat
Rabbits Enrichment! Carrots, kale, broccoli, other vegetables, fruit
Rabbits Enrichment! Plastic balls Metal pendants on chains Nylon chew bones Group housing
Rabbits Diseases Pasteurellosis Pasteurella multocida Common Some rabbits are carriers Spread by aerosol or contact
Rabbits Diseases Pasteurellosis Symptoms Discharge from nose & eyes Head tilt Genital infection Abscess Antibiotic success may be limited Prevention Buy from Pasteurella-free vendors
Rabbits Diseases Trichobezoar (hairball) Common, usually asymptomatic Cause too much grooming, not enough fiber? If causes obstruction, results in: Anorexia Depression Possible death from starvation and metabolic disturbance
Rabbits Diseases Trichobezoar Treatment Mineral oil Laxative Roughage (fiber) Surgery Prevention More fiber
Rabbits Diseases Ectoparasites Ear mites Psoroptes cuniculi Fleas Fur mites Cheyletiella parasitovorax Listrophorus gibbus
Questions Q: In a rabbit, what is the most common injury related to poor restraint?
Questions Q: In a rabbit, what is the most common injury related to poor restraint? A: A broken back (at the 6 th and d7 th lumbar vertebrae)
Questions Q: Which of the following is NOT associated with Pasteurellosis? A. head tilt B. nose discharge C. lameness D. genital discharge
Questions Q: Which of the following is NOT associated with Pasteurellosis? A: A. head tilt B. nose discharge C. lameness D. genital discharge C. lameness
Cats (Felis cattus)
Cats
Cats Anatomy Muscular Agile
Cats Anatomy Retractable claws Purring Male urine odor May persist after neutering
Cats Reproduction Tom Penis, scrotum Queen Vulva Polyestrous Induced ovulation Kittens Anogenital distance
Cats Reproduction Mating Paired Harem
Cats Reproduction Neuter or Spay if not breeding Decreased Spraying urine Aggressiveness Unwanted pregnancy Pyometra
Cats Restraint Reassurance Be slow and gentle Acclimation can help Minimal restraint can be best Depends on the procedure Assess the cat If agitated, may be best to wait
Cats Cat bites Long, narrow teeth + bacteria = infection The wound Clean immediately Get medical treatment immediately
Cats Restraint Use the scruff Lift cat while supporting hind end with other hand Gradually hold hindlimbs with thumb and middle finger, with index finger in between Hold upright, facing away
Cats Restraint
Cats Restraint Carrying Hold scruff with one hand Support cat s chest and hind end with other hand and arm Hold against your hip by using elbow Heavy gloves may be necessary for uncooperative cats Towels can help!
Cats Restraint Canvas or Nylon bags zippered
Cats Behavior Consistency is important People Surroundings Fearful cats Crouching in back of cage Ears pinned back Caution!
Cats Signs of pain, distress, or illness Unusually quiet Stiff posture Cry, growl, hiss Isolation from group Hunched posture Limpingi CAUTION!
Cats Husbandry Cages Resting board Litter pan Group housing Various resting areas Depends on personality
Cats Husbandry Litter pans Clean daily May need more if urinating outside pan Check the urine in or out of the box Blood? (may be infected) Is urine present? (male obstruction)
Cats Diet Cats are finicky Variety is good Flavor Texture Moisture content Dry (10-12% moisture) Semi-moist (20-25% moisture) Canned (70-78% moisture)
Cats Water Open bowls (most common) Clean daily Other options Bottle Automatic water system
Cats Enrichment! Platforms Shelves Ropes Climbing poles Scratching posts Toys
Cats Enrichment! Socialized, group-housed cats They enjoy the socialized life Individually-housed cats Should still see/hear/smell other cats
Cats Diseases Otitis Externa Symptoms Head shaking Scratching/rubbing Ear wax Causes Mites Bacteria Yeast Treatment Clean Medicate
Cats Diseases Feline respiratory complex Symptoms Sneezing Rhinitis Conjunctivitis Oral ulceration Most common causes (80-90%) Feline herpesvirus (viral rhinotracheitis) Feline calicivirus
Questions Q: True or False? Cats respond best when approached gradually and gently.
Questions Q: True or False? Cats respond best when approached gradually and gently. A: True. Gradual approach and gentle handling, especially by a familiar person, can help things go smoothly.
Questions Q: True or False? Cat urine output should be checked twice weekly.
Questions Q: True or False? Cat urine output should be checked twice weekly. A: False. It s important to check urine daily for detection of possible infection or obstruction.
The End