Rabbit

Physiology and clinical pathology of laboratory New Zealand white rabbits housed individually and in groups

Rabbits used in the production of antibodies can be housed individually or in groups. This study compared the serum chemistries, antibody production, physiologic plasma cortisol levels, and white blood cell (WBC) counts of female New Zealand White rabbits housed in...

Year Published: 2008Topics: Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: Rabbit

Citation: Fuentes GC, Newgren J. 2008. Physiology and clinical pathology of laboratory New Zealand white rabbits housed individually and in groups. J Am Assoc Lab Anim Sci. 47;35-38.

Animal economics: Assessing the motivation of female laboratory rabbits to reach a platform, social contact and food

We used novel techniques for assessing resource value to investigate what additions to a barren cage female laboratory rabbits, Oryctolagus cuniculus, value. We tested motivation to reach two resources that are potentially practical enrichments: a platform (providing a partly enclosed...

Year Published: 2008Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: Rabbit

Citation: Seaman SC, Waran NK, Mason G. 2008. Animal economics: Assessing the motivation of female laboratory rabbits to reach a platform, social contact and food. Anim Behav. 75;31-42.

Successful pair housing of female New Zealand white rabbits

The veterinary staff at our facility has been working to pair house the female New Zealand white rabbits in our training colony. These rabbits range in size, age, and temperament, which can make finding potential partners difficult, especially since all...

Year Published: 2009Topics: Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: Rabbit

Citation: Fuller, A. 2009. Successful pair housing of female New Zealand white rabbits. Tech Talk [The Newsletter for Laboratory Animal Science Technicians] 14(4), 2-3.

Rabbit preference for cages and pens with or without mirrors

Five-week-old Pannon White rabbits were housed in a closed climatized rabbitry and randomly assigned to either pens (56 rabbits) having a basic area of 1 m2 with a stocking density of 16 and 12 rabbits/m2 or to 18 individual cages...

Year Published: 2009Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Rabbit

Citation: Dalle Zotte, A., Princz, Z., Matics, Z. et al. 2009. Rabbit preference for cages and pens with or without mirrors. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 116, 273-278.

Rabbit acclimation program: A portrait of love and care

Rabbits were held three times weekly for 5 minutes. A general reduction in stress associated with handling was noticed.

Year Published: 2009Animal Type: Rabbit

Citation: Cisek, A. B. 2009. Rabbit acclimation program: A portrait of love and care. American Association for Laboratory Animal Science [AALAS] Meeting Official Program, 105 (Abstract).

Handling effects on body weight and behaviour of group-housed male rabbits in a laboratory setting

To assess the rabbit's coping strategy we performed a tonic immobility test, human-approach test, open-field test and a novel-object test. The results are that handling has no effect on body weight during the experimental period. Handling led to a more...

Year Published: 2009Animal Type: Rabbit

Citation: Verwer, C. M., van Amerongen, G., van den Bos, R. et al. 2009. Handling effects on body weight and behaviour of group-housed male rabbits in a laboratory setting. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 117, 93-102.

Effects of human handling on adult laboratory rabbit behavior

Study illustrates the potential for human handling to reduce fear of humans, neophobia, or both in laboratory rabbits.

Year Published: 2009Animal Type: Rabbit

Citation: Swennes, A. G., Alworth, L. C., Harvey, S. B. et al. 2009. Effects of human handling on adult laboratory rabbit behavior. American Association for Laboratory Animal Science [AALAS] Meeting Official Program, 105-106 (Abstract).

Studies and snack bites

Veterinary technician Evelyn Skoumbourdis and environmental enrichment coordinator Casey Coke Murphy discuss proper feeding of small laboratory mammals.

Year Published: 2009Topics: Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Gerbil, Guinea Pig, Hamster, Rabbit, Rodent

Citation: Skoumbourdis, E., Coke Murphy, C. 2009. Studies and snack bites. Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) Quarterly 58(1) Winter, 12-13.

Effect of footrests on the incidence of ulcerative pododermatitis in domestic rabbit does

A plastic platform or slatted footrest on the wire mesh prevented sore hocks.

Year Published: 2009Animal Type: Rabbit

Citation: Rosell, J. M., de la Fuente, L. F. 2009. Effect of footrests on the incidence of ulcerative pododermatitis in domestic rabbit does. Animal Welfare 18, 199-204.

Organic wheatgrass as environmental enrichment

Environmental enrichment must be provided for the various animal species that are housed in laboratory animal facilities. Wheatgrass can be used as a natural form of enrichment that requires minimal preparation and effort. Wheatgrass is appropriate enrichment for cats, rabbits,...

Year Published: 2010Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Bird, Cat, Chicken, Finch, Guinea Pig, Mouse, Other Bird, Parrot, Rabbit, Rat, Rodent

Citation: Brown, C. 2010. Organic wheatgrass as environmental enrichment. Lab Animal 39(3), 74-75.