Rabbit

Development of a rabbit enrichment program and contribution to a culture of transparency and care

The Becton Dickinson (BD) Research Animal Care Program has developed an acclimation and enrichment program that has enhanced animal welfare for studies requiring single housing, contributed to a culture of care, increased transparency, and improved compassion satisfaction for the animal...

Year Published: 2020Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Rabbit

Citation: Worlds, T., Kearney, M., De La Garza, F. et al. 2020. Development of a rabbit enrichment program and contribution to a culture of transparency and care. Laboratory Animal Science Professional 8(6) (November/December), 38-40.

Effect of two different stunning methods on the quality traits of rabbit meat

The aim of the study was to assess the effect of two different stunning methods on the level of blood stress indicators (cortisol, insulin, glucose) and rabbit meat quality. The experiment was conducted on crossbreds of Hycole, Hyla, and Jordan...

Year Published: 2020Topics: EuthanasiaAnimal Type: Rabbit

Citation: Składanowska-Baryza, J., Ludwiczak, A., Pruszyńska-Oszmałek, E. et al. 2020. Effect of two different stunning methods on the quality traits of rabbit meat. Animals 10(4), 700.

Fasting is not required for measuring plasma lipid levels in rabbits

Plasma lipid and glucose levels are important parameters for evaluating the onset and development of metabolic and cardiovascular diseases. In clinical and experimental studies of humans or mice, fasting is often required before testing plasma lipid and glucose levels. The...

Year Published: 2020Topics: Disease/Experimental Model, Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Rabbit

Citation: Wang, R., Liu, R., Li, L. et al. 2020. Fasting is not required for measuring plasma lipid levels in rabbits. Laboratory Animals 54(3), 272–280.

It’s Okay to Cry – Discussions by the Laboratory Animal Refinement & Enrichment Forum [LAREF], Volume V

This is the 5th volume of selected discussions that took place on the electronic Laboratory Animal Refinement & Enrichment Forum between February 2016 and December 2019. The forum was created in October 2002; it allows the international animal care community...

Year Published: 2020Topics: Abnormal/Problematic Behavior, Animal Training, Biological Sampling & Physiological Measurement, Drug/Substance Administration, Environmental Enrichment, External Bodily Equipment, Housing, Human-Animal Interaction, Relocation & TransportAnimal Type: Cat, Chinchilla, Dog, Ferret, Guinea Pig, Macaque, Marmoset, Mouse, Nonhuman Primate, Pig, Rabbit, Rat, Rodent

Citation: Reinhardt, V. (ed.) 2020. It’s Okay to Cry - Discussions by the Laboratory Animal Refinement & Enrichment Forum [LAREF], Volume V. Animal Welfare Institute, Washington, DC.

Rabbits, Guinea Pigs and Mice.

We, the people involved in animal care, are trying to develop improved methods of keeping our animals, methods which will take into account more of the animals' behavioral needs. We now have a large number of rabbits in runs which...

Year Published: 1988Topics: Housing, Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Guinea Pig, Mouse, Rabbit, Rodent

Citation: Love, J A., Gray, G., Boyd, J., Rabbits, Guinea Pigs and Mice. Humane Innovations and Alternatives Vol. 2, 1988, p.47-50

Alfaxalone as a total intravenous anesthesia protocol in New Zealand white rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) improves cardiovascular stability compared to isoflurane

Alfaxalone has been studied for anesthetic induction of rabbits with rapid onset and a short duration of action; however, it has been minimally evaluated as an option for anesthetic maintenance. This study compared alfaxalone-based total intravenous anesthesia maintenance protocols against...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Anesthesia & SedationAnimal Type: Rabbit

Citation: Tsai, J. Y., Palomera, E. E., Kundo, J. P. et al. 2025. Alfaxalone as a total intravenous anesthesia protocol in New Zealand white rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) improves cardiovascular stability compared to isoflurane. JAALAS 64(5), 932–939.

Comparison of intrarenal and intravenous injections of sodium pentobarbital for euthanasia in New Zealand white rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus)

Peripheral venous access in rabbits can be difficult to obtain. When failure occurs, there is a dire need for alternative vascular access routes to be available. The AVMA categorizes intrarenal injection of pentobarbital as acceptable with conditions for euthanasia. Animals...

Year Published: 2025Topics: EuthanasiaAnimal Type: Rabbit

Citation: LeGrand, J. L., Ozawa, S. M., Silverstein-Metzler, M. G. et al. 2025. Comparison of intrarenal and intravenous injections of sodium pentobarbital for euthanasia in New Zealand white rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus). JAALAS 64(4), 770–777.

Single oral dose of gabapentin reduces vigilance and increases play behavior without changing mobility in New Zealand white rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus)

OBJECTIVE To evaluate rabbit behavioral responses and activity after gabapentin administration. METHODS In this study, 5 intact female and 3 intact male New Zealand white rabbits aged 8 to 12 months were administered a single oral 25-mg/kg dose of gabapentin....

Year Published: 2025Topics: Emotion, Pain, & SentienceAnimal Type: Rabbit

Citation: Conway, R. E., Desmarchelier, M., Burton, M. et al. 2025. Single oral dose of gabapentin reduces vigilance and increases play behavior without changing mobility in New Zealand white rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus). Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 263(3), 335–342.

You can have your cone and eat too! Soft cone collars lead to improved postoperative rabbit care

There are various adaptations of collars and restraints for rabbits on the market. No one size fits all; therefore, finding the right one with the least number of modifications and restrictions is important. Most importantly, they should accommodate the rabbit’s...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Surgery & Post-OpAnimal Type: Rabbit

Citation: Barrera, R., Haynes, G., Kearney, M. et al. 2025. You can have your cone and eat too! Soft cone collars lead to improved postoperative rabbit care. Laboratory Animal Science Professional 13(5) (September/October), 36-39.

The use of vascular access buttons for drug administration and blood sampling in the rabbit

This poster discusses the challenges of blood collection in rabbits for pharmacokinetic (PK) and Pharmacodynamic (PD) studies and presents alternative solutions using vascular access devices.

Year Published: 2025Topics: Biological Sampling & Physiological Measurement, Cannulation, Catheterization, & IntubationAnimal Type: Rabbit

Citation: Hale, E., Gittins, K., Jones, J. et al. 2025. The use of vascular access buttons for drug administration and blood sampling in the rabbit. Animal Technology and Welfare 24(2), 180–182.