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Laboratory Animal Care and Use Program and FacilitiesUse Program and Facilities

AALAS Continuing Education &AALAS Continuing Education & Professional Development Series

• ALAT Ch. 21 – Rabbits• ALAT Ch 22 – CatsALAT Ch. 22 Cats• LATG Ch. 13 – Common Diseases

Dan Domer, DVM

4/28/10

RabbitsRabbits

Laboratory Animal Care and Use Program and Facilities

RabbitsAmerican Fuzzy Lop

American English Angora

www.arba.net

DutchNetherland Dwarf

American SableTan

American Chinchilla Dwarf Hotot Californian

Flemish Giant LilacFlorida White

Checkered GiantEnglish Lop

PalominoSatin

Silver

Laboratory Animal Care and Use Program and FacilitiesCinnamon

Rhinelander

RabbitsRabbits

• Oryctolagus cuniculiOryctolagus cuniculi• Breeds

– New Zealand WhiteNew Zealand White– Dutch Belted


RabbitsRabbits

• Uses in researchUses in research– Atherosclerosis

Ophthalmology– Ophthalmology– Antibody production

Cancer models– Cancer models– Infectious disease

Di b t llit– Diabetes mellitus


RabbitsRabbits

• AnatomyAnatomy– Ears

• Vascular• Thermoregulation

– TeethPeg teeth• Peg teeth

• Hypsodont– All teeth grow throughout life


RabbitsRabbits

• AnatomyAnatomy– Skeleton vs. muscle

• Broken backs• Broken backs– Toenails

• Wild vs LaboratoryWild vs. Laboratory– Feces

• PelletsPellets• Night feces

– Vitamin B, protein


– “Coprophagy”

RabbitsRabbits

• AnatomyAnatomy– Urine

• Yellow to red-brown• Yellow to red-brown• Cloudy

– Intestinal bacteriaIntestinal bacteria• Transportation

stress• Diet change• antibiotics


RabbitsRabbits

• ReproductionReproduction– Does

• Narrow head• Narrow head• Large dewlap• Sexingg• Induced ovulation

– Bucks• Large head• No dewlap


RabbitsRabbits

Male

Vent

V t

Female

Vent


RabbitsRabbits

• ReproductionReproduction– Mating

• Doe goes to buck’s cage• Doe goes to buck s cage– Kits

• sexingsexing


RabbitsRabbits

• ReproductionReproduction– Nesting

• Doe pulls her own fur to make a soft, warm bed for kits


RabbitsRabbits

• RestraintRestraint– Watch the BACK and EARS!

Scruff the nape of the neck– Scruff the nape of the neck– Support the hind end


RabbitsRabbits

• RestraintRestraint– Devices

• Restrainers• Restrainers• Restraint bags/cat

bags


RabbitsRabbits

• BehaviorBehavior– Active

Curious– Curious– Chew cage cards

Posture– Posture• Even weight distribution• Stretch when warm• Stretch when warm


RabbitsRabbits

• BehaviorBehavior– Cage protection/aggression

• Foot stomping• Foot stomping• Rearing and charging• Vocalization and urination• Actions to take:

– Toss a towel on the rabbitMi h d 2 d l» Might need a 2nd towel

– Gently take the rabbit from the cage


RabbitsRabbits

• Signs of pain distress illnessSigns of pain, distress, illness– Subtle (prey animal)

Anorexia– Anorexia– Lethargy

Tooth grinding– Tooth grinding– Vocalizations

P l b– Pale mucous membranes


RabbitsRabbits

• HusbandryHusbandry– 61˚-72 ˚F

• Less fur shedding• Less fur shedding– Air filters– Room cleaning– Hairballs


RabbitsRabbits

• HusbandryHusbandry– Single housing


RabbitsRabbits

• HusbandryHusbandry– Group housing for females or juvenile

malesmales


RabbitsRabbits

• HusbandryHusbandry– Change pans under cages 3+/week

• Dried minerals “urine scale"• Dried minerals urine scale– Clean racks every 1-2 weeks

Monitor urine and feces– Monitor urine and feces– Dump old feed before adding new feed

Feed according to rabbits’ weights– Feed according to rabbits weights


RabbitsRabbits

• HusbandryHusbandry– Diet

• pelleted feed• Fiber -- hay

– WaterIf the don’t drink the don’t eat• If they don’t drink, they don’t eat


RabbitsRabbits

• Enrichment!Enrichment!– Carrots, kale, broccoli, other vegetables,

fruitfruit


RabbitsRabbits

• Enrichment!Enrichment!– Plastic balls

Metal pendants on chains– Metal pendants on chains– Nylon chew bones

Group housing– Group housing


RabbitsRabbits

• DiseasesDiseases– Pasteurellosis

• Pasteurella multocida• Pasteurella multocida• Common• Some rabbits are carriers• Spread by aerosol or contact


RabbitsRabbits

• DiseasesDiseases– Pasteurellosis

• Symptoms– Discharge from nose &

eyes– Head tilt– Genital infection– Abscess

• Antibiotic success may be limited

• Prevention– Buy from Pasteurella-free

d


vendors

RabbitsRabbits

• DiseasesDiseases– Trichobezoar (hairball)

• Common usually asymptomatic• Common, usually asymptomatic• Cause

– too much grooming, not enough fiber?

• If causes obstruction, results in:– Anorexia

Depression– Depression– Possible death from starvation and metabolic

disturbance


RabbitsRabbits

• DiseasesDiseases– Trichobezoar

• Treatment• Treatment– Mineral oil– Laxative– Roughage (fiber)– Surgery

• PreventionPrevention– More fiber


RabbitsRabbits

• DiseasesDiseases– Ectoparasites

• Ear mites• Ear mites– Psoroptes cuniculi

• Fleas• Fur mites

– Cheyletiella parasitovoraxListrophorus gibbus– Listrophorus gibbus


QuestionsQuestions

• Q: In a rabbit what is the mostQ: In a rabbit, what is the most common injury related to poor restraint?restraint?


QuestionsQuestions

• Q: In a rabbit what is the mostQ: In a rabbit, what is the most common injury related to poor restraint?restraint?

A A b k b k ( t th 6th d 7th• A: A broken back (at the 6th and 7th

lumbar vertebrae)


QuestionsQuestions

• Q: Which of the following is NOTQ: Which of the following is NOT associated with Pasteurellosis?

A head tilt– A. head tilt– B. nose discharge

C lameness– C. lameness– D. genital discharge


QuestionsQuestions

• Q: Which of the following is NOTQ: Which of the following is NOT associated with Pasteurellosis?

A head tilt– A. head tilt– B. nose discharge

C lameness– C. lameness– D. genital discharge

A• A:– C. lameness


Cats (Felis cattus)Cats (Felis cattus)


CatsCats


CatsCats

• AnatomyAnatomy– Muscular

Agile– Agile


CatsCats

• AnatomyAnatomy– Retractable

clawsclaws– Purring– Male urine odor– Male urine odor

• May persist after neuteringg


CatsCats

• ReproductionReproduction– Tom

• Penis scrotum• Penis, scrotum– Queen

• VulvaVulva• Polyestrous• Induced ovulation

– Kittens• Anogenital distance


CatsCats

• ReproductionReproduction– Mating

• Paired• Paired• Harem


CatsCats

• ReproductionReproduction– Neuter or Spay if not breeding

• Decreased• Decreased– Spraying urine– Aggressiveness– Unwanted pregnancy– Pyometra


CatsCats

• RestraintRestraint– Reassurance

• Be slow and gentle• Be slow and gentle• Acclimation can help

– Minimal restraint can be bestMinimal restraint can be best• Depends on the procedure• Assess the cat

– If agitated, may be best to wait


CatsCats

• Cat bitesCat bites– Long, narrow teeth +

bacteria = infectionbacteria infection– The wound

• Clean immediatelyClean immediately• Get medical treatment

immediately


CatsCats

• RestraintRestraint– Use the scruff

Lift cat while supporting hind end with– Lift cat while supporting hind end with other hand

– Gradually hold hindlimbs with thumb– Gradually hold hindlimbs with thumb and middle finger, with index finger in between

– Hold upright, facing away


CatsCats

• RestraintRestraint


CatsCats

• RestraintRestraint– Carrying

• Hold scruff with one hand• 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

ti tuncooperative cats• Towels can help!


CatsCats

• RestraintRestraint– Canvas or Nylon bags

• zippered• zippered


CatsCats

• BehaviorBehavior– Consistency is important

• People• People• Surroundings

– Fearful catsFearful cats• Crouching in back of cage• Ears pinned backp• Caution!


CatsCats

• Signs of pain distress or illnessSigns of pain, distress, or illness– Unusually quiet

Stiff posture– Stiff posture– Cry, growl, hiss

Isolation from group– Isolation from group– Hunched posture

Li i– Limping– CAUTION!


CatsCats

• HusbandryHusbandry– Cages

• Resting board• Litter pan

– Group housing• Various resting areas• Various resting areas• Depends on personality


CatsCats

• HusbandryHusbandry– Litter pans

• Clean daily• 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)


CatsCats

• DietDiet– Cats are finicky

• Variety is good• Variety is good– Flavor– Texture

– Moisture content• Dry (10-12% moisture)• Semi-moist (20-25% moisture)• Canned (70-78% moisture)


CatsCats

• WaterWater– Open bowls (most common)

• Clean daily• Clean daily– Other options

• BottleBottle• Automatic water system


CatsCats

• Enrichment!Enrichment!– Platforms

Shelves– Shelves– Ropes

Climbing poles– Climbing poles– Scratching

postsposts– Toys


CatsCats

• Enrichment!Enrichment!– Socialized, group-housed cats

• They enjoy the socialized life• They enjoy the socialized life– Individually-housed cats

• Should still see/hear/smell other catsShould still see/hear/smell other cats


CatsCats

• DiseasesDiseases– Otitis Externa

• Symptoms– Head shaking– Scratching/rubbing– Ear wax

• Causes– Mites– Bacteria– Yeast

• Treatment– Clean


– Medicate

CatsCats

• DiseasesDiseases– Feline respiratory

complex• Symptoms

– Sneezing– Rhinitis– Conjunctivitis– Oral ulceration

• Most common causes (80-90%)

– Feline herpesvirus (viral rhinotracheitis)


– Feline calicivirus

QuestionsQuestions

• Q: True or False?Q: True or False?– Cats respond best when approached

gradually and gentlygradually and gently.


QuestionsQuestions

• Q: True or False?Q: True or False?– Cats respond best when approached

gradually and gentlygradually and gently.• A: True.

Gradual approach and gentle handling– Gradual approach and gentle handling, especially by a familiar person, can help things go smoothlythings go smoothly.


QuestionsQuestions

• Q: True or False?Q: True or False?– Cat urine output should be checked

twice weeklytwice weekly.


QuestionsQuestions

• Q: True or False?Q: True or False?– Cat urine output should be checked

twice weeklytwice weekly.• A: False.

It’s important to check urine daily for– It s important to check urine daily for detection of possible infection or obstructionobstruction.


The EndThe End


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