Table Of Content

BSAVA Manual of BSAVA Manual of B Rabbit Medicine S A Edited by Anna Meredith and Brigitte Lord V Rabbit A Rabbits make up a considerable and growing M proportion of the caseload in small animal practice, a and both interest and knowledge in rabbit medicine n and surgery has grown rapidly. In recognition of this, u the BSAVA Manual of Rabbit Medicine and Surgery Medicine a has been superseded by two separate volumes – l the BSAVA Manual of Rabbit Surgery, Dentistry and o Imaging and the BSAVA Manual of Rabbit Medicine. f R There is an increased understanding of the pathology a of common diseases and greater awareness both b of new conditions affecting this species and of their b response to both disease and treatment regimes. it This new BSAVA Manual of Rabbit Medicine M features new chapters such as ‘The rabbit-friendly e practice’, ‘Neoplasia’, and ‘Endocrine disease’. Other d chapters have been updated and expanded, and i c the introduction of new authors has brought fresh i insights and opinions to several topics. The authors n provide a greater depth and breadth of coverage for practitioners seeking definitive and e authoritative information to improve and refine the quality of veterinary care that they can provide for rabbits. These two manuals now provide the most comprehensive and up-to-date coverage of all aspects of rabbit veterinary care currently available, in an easy-to-use, well illustrated format following the tried and tested BSAVA Manual template. CONTENTS: Biology, anatomy and physiology; Husbandry; Nutrition and feeding; Reproduction; Normal behaviour and behaviour problems; The rabbit-friendly practice; Physical examination and clinical techniques; General nursing care and hospital management; Clinical pathology; Analgesia, sedation and anaesthesia; Respiratory disease; Digestive system disease; Urogenital system and reproductive disease; Cardiovascular disease; Nervous system and musculoskeletal disorders; Ophthalmology; Dermatoses; Neoplasia; Endocrine disease; Problems of the geriatric rabbit; Therapeutics; Approaches to common conditions; Appendices; Index Anna Meredith MA VetMB PhD CertLAS DZooMed MRCVS Anna is Professor of Zoological and Conservation Medicine at the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, and Head of the Exotic Animal and Wildlife Service, and has over 20 years’ clinical and teaching experience with rabbits and other exotic pets. Anna lectures internationally on rabbits and many other aspects of exotic animal and wildlife medicine, and is a recipient of the BSAVA Blaine Award for her work in the advancement of rabbit medicine. She is co-editor and authors chapters in the BSAVA Manual of Exotic Pets and BSAVA Manual of Rodents and Ferrets. Brigitte Lord BVetMed(Hons) CertZooMed MRCVS Brigitte graduated with honours from the Royal Veterinary College, London, in 2002. After a period as an exotic animal locum and small animal assistant, she joined the Royal (Dick) Veterinary School in Edinburgh as a small animal intern. She was appointed the first RWF Rabbit and Zoo Animal Resident in the UK in 2004, based at Bristol Zoo and the University Edited by of Bristol. She ran a rabbit and exotic veterinary referral service in the south west and returned to R(D)VS in 2008 as a lecturer in rabbit medicine and AAnnnnaa MMeerreeddiitthh aanndd swuorrgkeinryg. tBorwigaitrtdes h hoeldr sd iapnlo RmCaV. S certificate in Zoological Medicine and is BS16 U 9P Brigitte Lord 0 5 3 3509 Rabbit Medicine Cover spread.indd 1 Covers Placed.indd 1 0135//0152//22001175 0099::2271 BSAVA Manual of Rabbit Medicine Editors: Anna Meredith MA VetMB PhD CertLAS DZooMed MRCVS Exotic Animal and Wildlife Service, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies University of Edinburgh, Hospital for Small Animals, Easter Bush Veterinary Centre Roslin, Midlothian EH25 9RG and Brigitte Lord BVetMed(Hons) CertZooMed MRCVS Exotic Animal and Wildlife Service, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies University of Edinburgh, Hospital for Small Animals, Easter Bush Veterinary Centre Roslin, Midlothian EH25 9RG Published by: British Small Animal Veterinary Association Woodrow House, 1 Telford Way, Waterwells Business Park, Quedgeley, Gloucester GL2 2AB A Company Limited by Guarantee in England Registered Company No. 2837793 Registered as a Charity Copyright © 2014 BSAVA Reprinted 2016 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without prior written permission of the copyright holder. Illustrations on pages 6, 8, 10, 36 and 94 were drawn by S.J. Elmhurst BA Hons (www.livingart.org.uk) and are printed with her permission. A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library. ISBN 978 1 905319 49 7 e-ISBN 978 1 910443 21 7 The publishers, editors and contributors cannot take responsibility for information provided on dosages and methods of application of drugs mentioned or referred to in this publication. Details of this kind must be verified in each case by individual users from up to date literature published by the manufacturers or suppliers of those drugs. Veterinary surgeons are reminded that in each case they must follow all appropriate national legislation and regulations (for example, in the United Kingdom, the prescribing cascade) from time to time in force. Printed in India by Imprint Digital 3509PUBS16 Printed on ECF paper made from sustainable forests Page i Rabbit Medicine.indd 1 03/05/2017 09:26 Other titles in the BSAVA Manuals series: Manual of Canine & Feline Abdominal Imaging RELATED TITLES Manual of Canine & Feline Abdominal Surgery Manual of Canine & Feline Advanced Veterinary Nursing BSAVA Manual of Manual of Canine & Feline Anaesthesia and Analgesia Rabbit Surgery, Manual of Canine & Feline Behavioural Medicine Dentistry and Manual of Canine & Feline Cardiorespiratory Medicine Imaging Manual of Canine & Feline Clinical Pathology Edited by Frances Manual of Canine & Feline Dentistry Harcourt-Brown Manual of Canine & Feline Dermatology and John Chitty Manual of Canine & Feline Emergency and Critical Care • Anaesthesia and analgesia Manual of Canine & Feline Endocrinology • Radiography, ultrasonography, Manual of Canine & Feline Endoscopy and Endosurgery CT, MRI Manual of Canine & Feline Fracture Repair and Management • Surgical conditions and treatment Manual of Canine & Feline Gastroenterology • Dental examination, problems and Manual of Canine & Feline Haematology and Transfusion Medicine procedures • Step-by-step Operative Manual of Canine & Feline Head, Neck and Thoracic Surgery Techniques Manual of Canine & Feline Musculoskeletal Disorders Manual of Canine & Feline Musculoskeletal Imaging BSAVA Manual of Manual of Canine & Feline Nephrology and Urology Exotic Pet and Manual of Canine & Feline Neurology Wildlife Nursing Manual of Canine & Feline Oncology Manual of Canine & Feline Ophthalmology Edited by Manual of Canine & Feline Radiography and Radiology: Molly Varga, Rachel Lumbis A Foundation Manual and Lucy Gott Manual of Canine & Feline Rehabilitation, Supportive and Palliative Care: Case Studies in Patient Management • Husbandry and biology Manual of Canine & Feline Reproduction and Neonatology • Ward design and management Manual of Canine & Feline Surgical Principles: A Foundation Manual • Inpatient care • Nursing clinics Manual of Canine & Feline Thoracic Imaging • Useful forms and questionnaires Manual of Canine & Feline Ultrasonography • Client handouts Manual of Canine & Feline Wound Management and Reconstruction Manual of Canine Practice: A Foundation Manual Manual of Exotic Pet and Wildlife Nursing Manual of Exotic Pets: A Foundation Manual Manual of Feline Practice: A Foundation Manual Manual of Ornamental Fish Manual of Practical Animal Care Manual of Practical Veterinary Nursing Manual of Psittacine Birds Manual of Rabbit Surgery, Dentistry and Imaging Manual of Raptors, Pigeons and Passerine Birds Manual of Reptiles Manual of Rodents and Ferrets Manual of Small Animal Practice Management and Development Manual of Wildlife Casualties For further information on these and all BSAVA publications, please visit our website: www.bsava.com ii Prelims Rabbit Medicine.indd 2 16/12/2015 08:46 Contents List of contributors v Foreword vii Preface viii 1 Biology, anatomy and physiology 1 Anna Meredith 2 Husbandry 13 Richard Saunders 3 Nutrition and feeding 27 Jenny Prebble 4 Reproduction 36 Sarah Elliott and Brigitte Lord 5 Normal behaviour and behaviour problems 45 E. Anne McBride 6 The rabbit-friendly practice 59 Molly Varga 7 Physical examination and clinical techniques 80 Jenna Richardson and Emma Keeble 8 General nursing care and hospital management 108 Wendy Bament and Gidona Goodman 9 Clinical pathology 124 Petra Wesche 10 Analgesia, sedation and anaesthesia 138 Kevin Eatwell 11 Respiratory disease 160 Joanna Hedley 12 Digestive system disease 168 Frances Harcourt-Brown 13 Urogenital system and reproductive disease 191 Elisabetta Mancinelli and Brigitte Lord 14 Cardiovascular disease 205 Connie Orcutt 15 Nervous system and musculoskeletal disorders 214 Emma Keeble iii Prelims Rabbit Medicine.indd 3 20/11/2013 10:51 16 Ophthalmology 232 Tim Knott 17 Dermatoses 255 Anna Meredith 18 Neoplasia 264 Molly Varga 19 Endocrine disease 274 Angela M. Lennox and Kellie A. Fecteau 20 Problems of the geriatric rabbit 277 John Chitty 21 Therapeutics 284 Richard Saunders 22 Approaches to common conditions 301 Anna Meredith and Brigitte Lord Appendices 1 Common diseases of rabbits 312 Anna Meredith and Brigitte Lord 2 Differential diagnoses based on clinical signs 317 Anna Meredith and Brigitte Lord 3 Dorsal immobility response 320 Sally Everitt Index 321 iv Prelims Rabbit Medicine.indd 4 20/11/2013 10:51 Contributors Wendy Bament BSc MSc RVN Joanna Hedley BVM&S DZooMed(Reptilian) Exotic Animal and Wildlife Service, MRCVS Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, Exotic Animal and Wildlife Service, University of Edinburgh, Hospital for Small Animals, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, Easter Bush Veterinary Centre, Roslin, University of Edinburgh, Hospital for Small Animals, Midlothian EH25 9RG Easter Bush Veterinary Centre, Roslin, Midlothian EH25 9RG John Chitty BVetMed CertZooMed MRCVS Anton Vets, Unit 11, Anton Mill Road, Emma Keeble BVSc DipZooMed(Mammalian) Andover, Hampshire SP10 2NJ MRCVS RCVS Recognized Specialist in Zoo and Wildlife Medicine Kevin Eatwell BVSc(Hons) DZooMed(Reptilian) Exotic Animal and Wildlife Service, DipECZM(Herp) DipECZM(Small Mammal) MRCVS Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, Exotic Animal and Wildlife Service, University of Edinburgh, Hospital for Small Animals, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, Easter Bush Veterinary Centre, Roslin, University of Edinburgh, Hospital for Small Animals, Midlothian EH25 9RG Easter Bush Veterinary Centre, Roslin, Midlothian EH25 9RG Tim Knott BVSc BSc CertVOphthal MRCVS Sarah Elliott Bradley House, Rowe Veterinary Hospital, Ferndene, Bristol BS30 9DT Small Animal Practice, Langford Veterinary Services and School of Veterinary Science, University of Bristol, Langford, Bristol, BS40 5DU Angela M. Lennox DVM DipABVP-Avian DipABVP- Exotic Companion Mammal Avian and Exotic Animal Clinic of Indianapolis, Sally Everitt BVSc MSc(VetGP) PhD 9330 Waldemar Road, Indianapolis, IN 4626, USA Head of Scientific Policy, BSAVA Brigitte Lord BVetMed(Hons) CertZooMed MRCVS Kellie A. Fecteau MS PhD Exotic Animal and Wildlife Service, Department of Biomedical and Diagnostic Sciences, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Hospital for Small Animals, University of Tennessee, 2407 River Drive, Easter Bush Veterinary Centre, Roslin, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA Midlothian EH25 9RG Gidona Goodman DVM MSc MRCVS Elisabetta Mancinelli DVM CertZooMed MRCVS Exotic Animal and Wildlife Service, Edinburgh Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Hospital for Small Animals, Easter Bush Veterinary Centre, Roslin, E. Anne McBride BSc PhD FRSA Applied Animal Behaviour Unit, Midlothian EH25 9RG School of Psychology, University of Southampton, Frances Harcourt-Brown BVSc DipECZM Southampton SO17 1BJ (Small Mammal) FRCVS RCVS Recognized Specialist in Rabbit Medicine and Surgery Anna Meredith MA VetMB PhD CertLAS DZooMed 30 Crab Lane, Harrogate, MRCVS Exotic Animal and Wildlife Service, North Yorkshire HG1 3BE Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Hospital for Small Animals, Easter Bush Veterinary Centre, Roslin, Midlothian EH25 9RG v Prelims Rabbit Medicine.indd 5 22/11/2013 15:27 Connie Orcutt DVM DipABVP Molly Varga BVetMed DZooMed MRCVS Medical Writer/Editor, 70 Centre Street, RCVS Recognized Specialist in Zoo and Wildlife Brookline, MA 02446, USA Medicine Cheshire Pet Medical Centre, Jenny Prebble BVSc MRCVS Holmes Chapel, Cheshire CW4 8AB South Yorkshire Petra Wesche DVM MSc (WAH) Jenna Richardson BVM&S MRCVS Center for Veterinary Medicine, Exotic Animal and Wildlife Service, Mississippi State University, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, Starkville, MS 39759, USA University of Edinburgh, Hospital for Small Animals, Easter Bush Veterinary Centre, Roslin, Midlothian EH25 9RG Richard Saunders BSc BVSc MRCVS CBiol MSB DZooMed(Mammalian) Veterinary Department, Bristol Zoo Gardens, Clifton, Bristol BS8 3HA vi Prelims Rabbit Medicine.indd 6 20/11/2013 10:51 Foreword It is only a few years since the diseases affecting pet rabbits were accorded only a small section in the Exotic Pets Manual when they were regarded as a minor species. In addition, student tuition about these animals was almost totally neglected at the majority of veterinary schools. The increasing popularity of rabbits as household pets has seen them elevated to the position of a mainstream patient. This has increased the demands made upon practising veterinary surgeons to provide rabbits with the first class care that previously was only expected by the owners of dogs and cats. Nobody could have predicted the enormous increase in knowledge, nor the demand for that information to be disseminated, that has taken place since the original BSAVA Manual of Rabbit Medicine and Surgery was published in 2002. The knowledge base is now so great that two BSAVA Manuals are necessary in order that all aspects of rabbit medicine and surgery might be covered – namely, the BSAVA Manual of Rabbit Surgery, Dentistry and Imaging and the BSAVA Manual of Rabbit Medicine. The Editors, who are themselves recognized as pre-eminent clinicians and authorities on veterinary aspects of rabbits, have assembled up-to-date contributions from a truly international collection of distinguished authors. I am sure that the BSAVA Manual of Rabbit Medicine will come to be regarded not only as a well loved manual but also as an indispensable text on rabbit diseases and therapeutics. The original intention of the BSAVA has not been lost, however, in that this book is definitely a Manual that the busy practitioner or student can refer to for succinct and readily available information and advice when needed. The addition of flow charts for the ‘top 10’ common conditions (cid:90)ill be (cid:74)reatly appreciated and (cid:90)ill often be referred to by both experienced clinicians and recent graduates alike. In addition, there are new chapters on subjects that have never been covered in previous BSAVA publications. The Editors and the BSAVA Publications Committee are to be congratulated for all their expertise and commitment which has resulted in the production of this superb Manual. It is an absolute honour and privilege to be asked to write the foreword for this edition of the BSAVA Manual of Rabbit Medicine. Alistair M Lawrie BVMS MRCVS vii Prelims Rabbit Medicine.indd 7 20/11/2013 10:51 Preface Rabbits make up a considerable and growing proportion of the caseload in small animal practice, and both interest and knowledge in rabbit medicine and surgery has grown rapidly in the last six years. In recognition of this increasing interest and available literature and expertise, the second edition of the BSAVA Manual of Rabbit Medicine and Surgery, published in 2006, has now been superseded by two separate volumes – the BSAVA Manual of Rabbit Surgery, Dentistry and Imaging and the BSAVA Manual of Rabbit Medicine. The Manual of Rabbit Medicine, which is complementary to the new surgical manual, greatly expands and builds on the medical information given in the previous combined edition. The authors have provided a greater depth and breadth of coverage for practitioners seeking definitive and authoritative information to improve and refine the quality of veterinary care that they can provide for rabbits. We are confident that the two manuals now provide the most comprehensive and up-to-date coverage of all aspects of rabbit veterinary care currently available, in an easy-to-use, well illustrated format following the tried and tested BSAVA Manual template that is so popular. Rabbit medicine has advanced dramatically in the last few years as we gain an increased understanding of the pathology of common diseases and a greater a(cid:90)areness of ne(cid:90) conditions affectin(cid:74) this species and of the rabbit’s response to both disease and treatment regimes. In particular, we now have a much better understanding of the differences in conditions seen in pet rabbits compared to research or commercial rabbits, on which a lot of the original literature was based. Pet rabbits are fed differently, have highly variable living conditions in a home environment, and are living far longer than ever before. There are seven new chapters, and many of the other chapters and sections have been updated and expanded. The introduction of new authors has brought fresh insights and opinions to several topics. Rabbit medicine is still a challenging and exciting field to work in. We are optimistic that we can and should provide higher levels of care and best practice to approach those offered to our cat and dog patients, and that we can meet the expectations of rabbit owners for their much-valued pets. This new rabbit medicine manual has two editors, so two families to thank for tolerating the seemingly endless task of proofreading and editing. These tasks were made easier by our enthusiastic and highly professional chapter authors, and we have greatly enjoyed working with them throughout the whole process of creating the Manual. Finally, we would like to thank the excellent editorial, illustration and production team at BSAVA for all their help and support. Anna Meredith and Brigitte Lord November 2013 viii Prelims Rabbit Medicine.indd 8 20/11/2013 10:51 Chapter 1 Biology, anatomy and physiology 1 Biology, anatomy and physiology Anna Meredith Biology New Zealand has led to rabbits becoming a pest species. The European rabbit has not become The domestic rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus origi- established in the wild in North America, however, nated from the European wild rabbit. There are many where its ecological niche is filled by the cottontail other species of rabbit, belonging to 10 genera (Sylvilagus spp.). including Oryctolagus, and these, along with hares The keeping of rabbits as pets developed in (genus Lepus) make up the family Leporidae, of the Victorian times, and their popularity has grown Order Lagomorpha, which also contains the pikas enormously, leading to the current situation where (family Ochotonidae). Rabbits are social, burrowing rabbits are the third most popular mammalian pet in herbivores that are natural prey for a large number of the UK and many other countries. Although trad- carnivores. As a prey species they have evolved to itionally kept mainly as a children’s pet, increasin(cid:74) be constantly vigilant, lightweight and fast-moving, numbers are kept by adults and as house pets, and with a highly efficient digestive system that enables they have become well established as a true com- them to spend the minimum time possible above panion animal. ground, in danger of capture from aerial or terrestrial Originally, rabbits were referred to in English as predators. However, even underground, a rabbit is coneys and only the young were termed rabbits. still in danger of predation from mustelid carnivores The ori(cid:74)in of the term ‘bunny’ is not entirely clear but such as weasels and stoats, and foxes will also dig it is believed to be derived from the Gaelic word up young rabbits from their nursery burrows. For the ‘bun’ that means a stump or root, and (cid:90)hich also same reason, in order to avoid attracting predator refers to the tail of a rabbit or hare. Female rabbits attention, rabbit behaviour is not florid and overt and are referred to as does, males as bucks and young relies heavily on scent (see Chapter 5). rabbits as kits or kittens. Over the centuries, humans have made use of the rabbit for food, sport and clothing, as a scientific Breeds and varieties model and as a hobby (cid:11)the rabbit ‘fancy’(cid:12)(cid:17) The rela- All domestic rabbits are of the same species as the tionship between people and the European rabbit wild European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus). With was first recorded by the Phoenicians over 3000 domestication came the development of different years a(cid:74)o(cid:17) They termed the (cid:44)berian Peninsula ‘i-she- breeds and varieties. phan-im’ (cid:11)literally, ‘the land of the rabbit’(cid:12)(cid:30) the Romans converted this to the Latin form, Hispania, • A breed is a group of related animals that are hence the modern word Spain. The wild rabbit has genotypically and phenotypically sufficiently long been hunted as an important food item. It is similar to produce physically similar offspring unclear exactly when domestication first took place when they are mated to each other (see Chapter but this is believed to have occurred between the 4). Most breeds of rabbit have breed standards, 5th and 10th centuries in southern Europe, probably which are detailed descriptions of the by monks who kept them for food. In the 5th and 6th characteristics of the ideal specimen. Breeds are centuries ne(cid:90)born rabbits (cid:90)ere classified as ‘fish’ not static and may evolve significantly over time. by the Pope, so they could be eaten during Lent and • The ‘(cid:89)ariety’ refers to a colour (cid:90)ithin a breed(cid:17) other fasting periods. The Romans kept rabbits in walled enclosures (leporaria) and there is evidence Breeds are created either through mutation, that they brought them to Britain, but the species did combining existing characters of two or more not survive at this time. In Europe, and especially breeds, or by selective breeding for particular France, the process of domestication was well characteristics to such a degree that the resulting under (cid:90)ay by the 5th century(cid:30) and in the 12th cen- offspring are significantly different from the original tury the Normans brought rabbits to Britain, where stock. For example, the Rex breed emerged as the they became established and remain as both result of a mutation that caused an abnormality in domestic and wild animals. People have also trans- the length of guard hairs in the coat. The guard ported the rabbit throughout the world, to all conti- hairs and undercoat of this breed are the same nents except Antarctica, often with devastating length, giving a velvety feel to the coat. Another effect(cid:30) the absence of predators in (cid:36)ustralia and example of a mutation is the Satin, where the hair 1 Ch01 Rabbit Medicine.indd 1 20(cid:18)11(cid:18)2013 10(cid:29)57