{"id":1655,"date":"2023-11-27T16:25:28","date_gmt":"2023-11-28T00:25:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/research.wsu.edu\/vet\/?page_id=1655"},"modified":"2024-11-14T15:36:19","modified_gmt":"2024-11-14T23:36:19","slug":"duplicated-rabbits","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/research.wsu.edu\/vet\/veterinary-care\/preventive-health-care\/duplicated-rabbits\/","title":{"rendered":"Rabbits"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wsu-row wsu-row--single\" >\r\n    \n<div class=\"wsu-column\"  style=\"\">\r\n\t\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Rabbits (domestic &amp; wild caught)<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"font-size: 18pt\">Standard operating procedures for preventive health care<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">General procedures<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul type=\"1\">\n<li>The rabbit health standard operating procedure applies to all rabbits owned by WSU and defines the minimum preventive health care. <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Exceptions to the rabbit health care SOP must be approved by the IACUC or through veterinary consultation. <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Before acquisition, consult with veterinary staff to review incoming health status and determine a quarantine, testing and housing plan. <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Maintain biosecurity to prevent disease transmission. Laboratory rabbits are typically pathogen-free for <em>Bordetella, Pasteurella multocida<\/em>, Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease virus (RHDV) and other infectious agents that farm, pet-trade and wild rabbits are likely to carry.  RHDV is highly contagious and can be spread by fomites, clothing and footware. <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>All veterinary assessments and procedures must be documented in the animal\u2019s medical record.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Introduction of new animals<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul type=\"1\">\n<li>On arrival:\n<ul>\n<li>Assign an Individual Animal Identification (<a href=\"https:\/\/iacuc.wsu.edu\/documents\/2016\/06\/wsu_sop_7.pdf\/\">IACUC SOP #7)<\/a> and create an Animal Care Medical Record (<a href=\"https:\/\/research.wsu.edu\/vet\/documents\/2023\/11\/medical-record-entrance-exam-form.pdf\">example pdf<\/a>) (<a href=\"https:\/\/iacuc.wsu.edu\/documents\/2016\/06\/policy_4.pdf\/\">IACUC Policy #4<\/a>).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Complete a physical exam by a veterinarian, veterinary technician, or trained animal care technician. Records should include additional notations for this species:\n<ul>\n<li>Teeth (malocclusion)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Body Condition<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Nails (length or trauma)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Check for ectoparasites (fleas or mites).  Treat with Selamectin per <a href=\"https:\/\/www.zoetis.com.au\/all-products\/portal-site\/revolution-for-cats-rabbits.aspx\">manufacturer recommendation<\/a> if present. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Quarantine away from resident animals for at least 2-4 weeks depending on risk factors. Observe closely for signs of illness and treat as needed.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Routine vaccination is not required. <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Rabbits should be socially housed as outlined in <a href=\"https:\/\/iacuc.wsu.edu\/documents\/2016\/06\/policy_30.pdf\/\">IACUC Policy #30<\/a> unless behavior or research necessitates.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Herd health maintenance<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul type=\"1\">\n<li>All assessments and procedures must be documented in the Animal Medical Record.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Nails need to be checked and clipped every 4-6 weeks. Document exam or clipping in Animal Medical Record.\n<ul>\n<li>Check feet at time of nail trim to ensure they are not developing any sores, especially around the heels. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Weigh rabbits every 4-6 weeks and document in Animal Medical Record.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Rabbits are susceptible to heat stress. Room temperatures should be maintained between 61-72\u00b0F. Signs of heat stress include respiratory rate increase, fever, and lethargy. Contact a veterinarian or vet staff immediately if any of these signs are noted.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Minor cuts, scrapes or abrasions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul type=\"1\">\n<li>If a rabbit is noted to have minor cuts, wounds or abrasions, the area should be cleaned thoroughly with an antiseptic solution such as chlorhexidine or betadine (or equivalent) and a commercial salve or wound coat applied. This can be done once daily for 2-7 days ensuring that the wound is healing and not worsening. If at any time the wound is draining or worsening, a veterinarian will need to assess and make a specific plan for the animal.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Daily documentation of treatment is necessary either in the form of a treatment sheet or in the <a href=\"https:\/\/research.wsu.edu\/vet\/documents\/2023\/11\/medical-record-entrance-exam-form.pdf\">medical record<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Nutrition<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul type=\"1\">\n<li>Free choice timothy hay is recommended, but orchard or oat hay can be offered as an alternative. Avoid alfalfa hay in animals over 6 months of age due to high calcium content and predisposition to bladder stones. <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Nutritionally complete commercial rabbit pellets should be fed daily based on age and weight. <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Fresh greens (leafy lettuce, cilantro, kale) can be offered 1-3 cups daily.  Avoid darker greens in rabbits &gt;6 months of age due to higher calcium content. <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Feed requirements of each animal should be determined to prevent over or underfeeding.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Rabbits must have unlimited access to fresh water.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Reduced appetite\/anorexia or reduced feces is usually considered a same day medical emergency in rabbits. Contact veterinary staff immediately if these signs are noted. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">References<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;Physical Examination and Preventive Care of Rabbits&#8221;. Veterinary Clinics of North America. Vol. 2 Issue 2 1999.  <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/S1094919417301305?via%3Dihub\">https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/S1094919417301305?via%3Dihub<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Management of Rabbits. Merck Manual. 2021. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.merckvetmanual.com\/exotic-and-laboratory-animals\/rabbits\/management-of-rabbits\">https:\/\/www.merckvetmanual.com\/exotic-and-laboratory-animals\/rabbits\/management-of-rabbits<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Rabbit Husbandry and Preventative Healthcare. SEAVS. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.seavs.com\/pet-care-information\/rabbit-care\/\">https:\/\/www.seavs.com\/pet-care-information\/rabbit-care\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Effective Date: 11-30-23 NW<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\r\n\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":12041,"featured_media":0,"parent":56,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":[],"categories":[],"tags":[],"wsuwp_university_location":[],"wsuwp_university_org":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/research.wsu.edu\/vet\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1655"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/research.wsu.edu\/vet\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/research.wsu.edu\/vet\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/research.wsu.edu\/vet\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/12041"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/research.wsu.edu\/vet\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1655"}],"version-history":[{"count":16,"href":"https:\/\/research.wsu.edu\/vet\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1655\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2416,"href":"https:\/\/research.wsu.edu\/vet\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1655\/revisions\/2416"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/research.wsu.edu\/vet\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/56"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/research.wsu.edu\/vet\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1655"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/research.wsu.edu\/vet\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1655"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/research.wsu.edu\/vet\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1655"},{"taxonomy":"wsuwp_university_location","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/research.wsu.edu\/vet\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/wsuwp_university_location?post=1655"},{"taxonomy":"wsuwp_university_org","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/research.wsu.edu\/vet\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/wsuwp_university_org?post=1655"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}