Rabbit Scenario: Laboratory vs. Fancier Animal Welfare Judging Contest 2007 Prepared by: Vanessa Kanaan & Monica Pittman Center for Food Animal Well-Being Department of Animal Sciences Purdue University Edited by: Janice Siegford Animal Behavior and Welfare Group Department of Animal Science Michigan State University
Laboratory: Overview Biomedical research facility Founded in 1984 Located in Massachusetts Registered with the USDA Accredited by AAALAC (Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care)
Fancier: Overview Private breeder for a local pet store Founded in 2002 Located in Florida Member of the American Rabbit Breeders Association Member of the Mini Lop Rabbit Club of America
Animals Laboratory New Zealand White 200 adults in the colony Fancier Purebred Mini-lops 6 bucks and 9 does ~ 200 kits born/year
Laboratory: Personnel 3 research scientists, 2 laboratory technicians and 4 animal caretakers Previous laboratory experience is required for all staff New employees are trained on sanitation procedures, proper care and handling of rabbits
Fancier: Personnel Family owned business 2 adults and 3 children Family had a pet rabbit for 3 years prior to starting business No formal training in rabbit care One adult has a BS degree in Animal Science
Laboratory: Housing Animals housed singly Wire cages Area: 1 m 2 Wire grid flooring Fecal catch tray with sawdust
Fancier: Housing Adults housed singly except for does with litters Outdoor hutches Area: 0.8 m 2 Solid flooring Straw bedding, toys, lounging shelf, and litter box in each hutch
Environmental Conditions Laboratory Temperature: 15.6-21.1ºC (60-70ºF) Humidity: ~50% Light: 12L/12D Ventilation: Ammonia levels < 25ppm 15 room changes of air/ hour Fancier Temperature: 12.8-32.2ºC (55-90ºF) Humidity: ~63%, can range from 45-87% Light: Natural daylight and photoperiod Ventilation: cage fronts are open to air
Animals and ID Both facilities identify rabbits with cage cards and ear tattoos
Physiological Response to Tattooing 20 15 10 5 Percent Change in Corticosterone in Response to Ear Tattooing 0 Laboratory Fancier
Laboratory: Care Rabbits checked 3 times daily Animals fed and watered once daily in the morning Fecal catch trays cleaned daily Entire cage and rack cleaned weekly Animals handled daily during cleaning and experimental procedures
Fancier: Care Fresh food and water provided every morning Animals groomed and petted in the evening Straw totally removed and hutches cleaned once a week Rabbits allowed to interact with others in outdoor play pen during cleaning
Laboratory: Food & Water All animals fed a pelleted complete diet supplemented with vitamins and minerals Rabbits fed 100 g of food/ day in a J-hopper Water provided ad libitum in a water bottle
Fancier: Food & Water Adults fed a pelleted complete diet Pregnant and lactating does are fed ad libitum Bucks fed 180-250 g food/day Food and water provided in separate porcelain bowls Before weaning, kits are eating solid feed Kits occasionally eat doe s feces
Laboratory: Breeding No animals bred at the facility All rabbits purchased from one local laboratory animal breeder
Fancier: Breeding Breeding doe brought to buck hutch for mating, doe removed after she is serviced 4 times Mating process repeated 12 hours later 88% breeding success rate Does re-bred 14 days post-partum Plywood nest box provided 28 days postbreeding
Experimental Procedures Laboratory Restraint (manual and mechanical) Weight measurement Collection of blood, urine and cerebrospinal fluid Administration of fluids and drugs Fancier No experimental procedures performed
Laboratory: Veterinary Care Daily health check by animal caretakers Monthly health check by veterinarian who specializes in rabbits and rodents 4% of colony had diarrhea during the last check 2% had signs of sore hocks (ulcerative pododermatitis) Animals that are known to be ill are isolated and treated as instructed by a veterinarian Approximately 2-7% of the colony needs medical treatment each month
Fancier: Veterinary Care Daily visual check Sick rabbits isolated and treated as instructed by other breeders 3 incidences of fur mite infestation in the past 4 years 1 case of ring worm last year ~ 1 rabbit lost to predators each year No local veterinarians that specialize in rabbits
Response to Humans Laboratory: 85% of the rabbits move toward the front of the cage when someone approaches 5% of the rabbits can be aggressive when restrained during procedures Fancier: 40% of kits move away from the hutch door when someone approaches unannounced All does and bucks approach handlers readily
Laboratory: Transport Kits transported in plastic crates from local breeder 16.1 km (10 mi) away to research facility No food or water provided during transportation Approximately 5% of kits have diarrhea after arrival each year Kits are quarantined for 7-10 days before entering laboratory colony
Fancier: Transport Kits transported in plastic pet carriers to local pet store 35.4 km (22 mi) away Carrots provided during transport Approximately 7% of kits have diarrhea following transport each year
Physiological Responses to Transportation Laboratory (Kits) Fancier (Kits) Heart Rate 225 bpm 280 bpm Respiratory Rate Neutrophil/ Lymphocyte Ratio 42 breaths/min 55 breaths/min 1.1 : 1 1.8 : 0.8
Time Budgets Laboratory Handled 1% Environ. Enrich. 4% Abnormal Behavior 11% Environ. Enrich. 15% Handled 3% Abnormal Behavior 3% Fancier Feed/Drink 8% Rest 46% Groom 10% Rest 64% Feed/Drink 11% Locomotion 2% Groom 17% Locomotion 5%
Abnormal Behavior Laboratory Bar biting Head swaying Fancier Excessive fur licking Polydipsia (excessive drinking) is also seen in some rabbits
Laboratory: Euthanasia/Disposal Rabbits used until they need to be euthanized due to illness/age or for experimental purposes The method of euthanasia is dependent on the experimental protocol Methods of disposal include: Anesthesia followed by cervical dislocation Carbon dioxide overdose Pentobarbital overdose
Fancier: Euthanasia/Disposal No euthanasia performed on site Severely ill animals euthanized by local veterinarian with a barbiturate overdose Retired breeders kept as pets by the family if they cannot be adopted out Kits kept with does until sold to a local pet store at 8 weeks old