Rabbits and Ferrets

Lagomorphs

Oryctolagus cuniculis

• Lop
• Netherland dwarf
• Lionhead
• English rabbit

• a) 5-12 years (average lifespan is 8 years old)
• b) 180-300 bpm
• c) 30-60 per min
• d) 38.5-40°C

They have a fragile skeleton and so incorrect restraint can result in fractures of the vertebrae.  Also when restraining them you need to be sure that you do not compress the abdomen as the abdominal organs can press on the lungs and make it hard for them to breathe.

Open rooted teeth

Due to pigmentation caused by food or medicine that has been ingested

It ensures that food doesn't move from the caecum back into the small intestine

The fusus coli

The ingestion of soft faeces produced by rabbits

It has a protective function - it protects caecotrophs from the low gastric pH of the stomach

Females will have a slit like opening whereas males have a circular opening

4-6 months

• a) 28-32 days
• b) 4-12
• c) 6 weeks

The doe will pull fur from her dewlap and abdomen to build a nest and keep the kittens warm

As 24 hours after birth the doe is ready to get pregnant again

• Big enough to allow rabbits to lie down and stretch out comfortably in all directions
• Tall enough for them to stand up on their back legs without their ears touching the roof
• Long enough to allow at least three hops from one end to the other

• A hiding box
• Litter tray
• Newspaper/hay/straw bedding (not sawdust or scented products)
• Toys eg drainpipes, tubes, etc

15-21°C

• Helps maintain a good body condition
• Improves general fitness
• Promotes gut motility
• Prevents obesity
• Provides enrichment for the rabbit

Neutered male and neutered female

• Their management is completely different
• Rabbits often bully guinea pigs
• Rabbits can carry Bordetella (a respiratory virus) which can be fatal for guinea pigs

• Hay and grass should be provided all the time.  The amount of hay given to a rabbit daily should be the same size as the rabbit's body.
• A small handful of pellets should be given once/twice daily
• Leafy greens can be given twice daily

Alflfa as it is high in calcium, which can lead to kidney stones and sludge in the urine.

• Digestible fibres are <0.3mm in length and composed of pectins, hemicellulose and cellulose.  They promote caecal fermentation and provide nutrients.
• Indigestible fibres are >0.3mm in length and are composed of cellulose and lignin.  They promote gut motility and provide optimal dental wear.

Pellets contain mainly digestible fibre particles so they will not spend enough time chewing and develop diseases associated with lack of indigestible fibre (dental disease, gut stasis, etc).

Although cereal mixes contain a mixture of indigestible and digestible fibres rabbits tend to select the sweeter low fibre grains.  This selective feeding can eventually cause them to develop nutritional deficiencies.

• Treats for training purposes
• To show affection
• To stimulate the appetite of anorexic rabbits

Myxomatosis and Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease

• Pathologies of the genital tract
• False pregnancy in does
• Aggressiveness
• Behavioural problems
• Unwanted pregnancies

• Dental disease, reduced gut motility, diarrhoea - due to diet poor in fibres
• Urine scalding
• Stress and mites
• Fleas
• Untidy matted fur
• Obesity

• To properly restrain a rabbit, scoop the rabbit against your body with one arm and protect the back legs.  The head is placed under the arm so the rabbit cannot see (this keeps them more relaxed).  Use the other hand to control the rabbit.
• When placing a rabbit in its pen you must always place their back end down first.

Mustelidae

Musterla putorius furo

Sleeping - up to 18 hours a day

They experience a seasonal weight loss where they can lose up to 40% of their bodyweight

• a) 8-10 years
• b) male = 1200g / female = 600g
• c) 200-250 bpm
• d) 35
• e) 37.8-40°C

Males have a larger anogenital distance, have an os penis and are generally larger than females.  Females have a shorter anogenital distance and an obvious swollen vagina when in season.

Ferrets are strict carnivores.  They require a diet high in protein which must be animal, not plant, sourced and fat.  Their diet should be low in carbohydrates and fibre.  Working ferrets tend to eat fresh rabbit carcasses, rodents and chicks.  Whereas pet ferrets are usually fed complete dry ferret food.

Plant protein can cause problems such as bladder stones and urinary tract disease

They should have food all the time as they have a high metabolism and short GI tract

6 months

True

~9 months (in their first spring)

Hyperoestrogenism

Persistent oestrous leads to oestrogen toxicity and bone marrow suppression.  This suppression causes severe aplastic anaemia and blood loss.

Bilaterally symmetric alopecia, weakness, anorexia and pale mucous membranes.

• Human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) to stimulate oestrous
• 'Jill jab' (proligestone)
• GnRH agonists implants 
• Vasectomised hob

Distemper

A minimum of an EU PETS passport and an identification microchip

You can place one hand around their neck and shoulder whilst placing the other hand around their body.  Ferrets can be easily scruffed as their skin is very thick.

Rub them behind the forelimbs and swing them gently.