Materials Needed Per Pair of Students:

(1)   Rabbit
(1)   Lab Kit
(1)   Stethoscope
(1)   Thermometer
(1)   Tube of lubricant

Put on a pair of exam gloves before you touch any animal!!

NOTE:  You may attempt a procedure no more than 3 times per lab!!!

A.   Introduction to Rabbit Handling:

Rabbits have a very delicate skeletal system that can be easily damaged with improper restraint.  In addition.  They have powerful hindquarters that they use for kicking...and that must be supported or the rabbit may break its back.

NEVER but absolutely NEVER restrain or pick up a rabbit by its ears!!

B.   Handling and Restraint Procedures:

1. Removing the rabbit from its cage-

   • With your dominant hand, firmly grasp the rabbit by the scruff of fur behind its neck

   • Have the rabbit face the back of the cage

   • Lift gently by the scruff

   • Scoop under the hindquarters with your other hand and remove the rabbit from its cage

2. Replacing the rabbit into its cage-

• Using the restraint described above, gently place the rabbit into its cage, facing toward the back

• Place the hind feet down first

• If the rabbit takes off, it will run toward the back of its cage

3. General transport techniques-

• Standard transport:

  • Scruff the rabbit by its neck

  • Place the rabbit's head under your arm (armpit)

  • Allow the rabbit's body to lie on your lower arm and spread your fingers on either side of the tail, supporting the hindquarters

  • Place the hand of your upper arm on the dorsal surface of the rabbit to maintain control

• "Flying bunny" transport-

  • This method is used for aggressive and hard-to-handle rabbits

  • Scruff the rabbit's neck with one hand and grab the skin over the hindquarters with your other hand

  • While lifting, rotate your fists inward, gently arching the rabbit's back

  • Hold firmly-  the rabbit may struggle and you don't want to drop it or allow it to hurt itself!

4. Hypnotism-

This restraint can be used for minor procedures, such as nail or teeth trimming, but is unsuitable for most painful procedures

Method-

• Firmly scruff the rabbit's neck with your dominant hand

• Cross your nondominant hand underneath to scruff the rump

• Invert the rabbit onto its back-

  • Roll the rabbit onto its rump

  • Quickly lie it on its back

  • Transfer your hand from the rump to the abdomen

  • Keep the rabbit's spine and head straight

• Gently stroke the rabbit's abdomen 
  (the nictitating membrane- 3rd eyelid- should move over the pupil when the rabbit is hypnotized

• Check the pedal reflex by pinching the toes-  a properly hypnotized rabbit won't move

• To end the hypnotism, slowly and gently sit the rabbit on its rump and then onto its feet
  

5. Towel wrap  (bunny burrito)-

Place the rabbit on an opened towel
Snuggly wrap the towel around the rabbit's body
Gently pull out the part you need to work on

IMPORTANT:  ensure that the rabbit has proper ventilation when using this restraint.  Rabbits overheat readily, so constant monitoring is essential!!

6. Cat bag-
   
   A nylon bag made for restraining cats may be useful for rabbits.  Unzipping the appropriate zipper makes the needed body parts readily accessible.
   

7. Restraint boxes-
   Several different types of restraint boxes specifically made to hold rabbits are commercially available.  It is imperative that the box properly fit the size of the rabbit that you are working with in order to avoid injury to the rabbit.

C.   Identification

1. ID:
   
   Rabbits are often identified by their cage number.  Identification can be accomplished by writing the cage number or other number with a tattoo or felt-tipped marker.

We identify the rabbits at Medaille College by writing the cage number on the right pinna (ear) with a permanent marker.

(When the term right or left is used, it means the ANIMAL'S left or right side, not the left or right side of the person working with the animal).

2. Sexing-
   

• Both male and female rabbits may have a roll of skin and fur under their chin, called a dewlap.  This structure is generally more prominent in the doe (female).  

• In all mammals, the anogenital distance (length of space between the anus and the genital papilla (the vulva or prepuce)) is longer in the male than the female.

• Expression of the genital papilla:
  

  • With your dominant hand, firmly grasp the rabbit by its scruff and rock it back onto its rump, supporting the rabbit's back against your body

  • Express the genital papilla by gently pressing down on both sides
    
    

  • On the doe (female), the lips of the vulva will protrude and a slit will be seen.  The anogenital distance is shorter than in the male rabbit.

• On the buck (male), the prepuce is visible as a round doughnut-shaped opening and the penis can be everted.  Scrotal sacs are visible on older bucks (like the one pictured here) and are cranial to the penis.

D.   Nail Trimming:

The nails of rabbits can be trimmed, just like the nails of dogs and cats.  It is very useful to trim the sharp tips of the nails of rabbits that struggle or are aggressive.

The screws of a guillotine-type nail trimmer should face the rabbit, and your fingers should move the hinged part of the handle;  the stationary side of the handle should be placed against your thumb.  Holding the nail trimmers in this manner minimizes movement of the cutting blade and decreases discomfort for the rabbit.

The albino New Zealand White rabbits that we use at Medaille College have white nails.  It is easy to see the blood vessels (called the "quick") that are located in the nail.  It is important not to cut the quick, because bleeding and pain will occur.  Use the trimmers to cut the sharp tip that extends beyond the quick.  

If bleeding does occur, apply a silver nitrate stick to the quick until bleeding ceases  (this is painful, because nerves have been exposed, so be as gentle as possible.

E.   Physical Examination:

1. Introduction-

Research animals must be maintained in a health condition for experimental results to be valid.  The Physical Exam is an essential part of any health program for any animal any where.

You will be responsible for assessing the health of your animal every lab.  Any abnormalities must be written on the animal's record and must be reported to a lab instructor or the Vivarium Supervisor as soon as possible.

2. Look at the rabbit in its cage BEFORE you open the door of the cage.
   
   

3. Initial examination-

The initial exam should be performed before the rabbit has been handled extensively (i.e. before it's excited).

Observe the general appearance of the rabbit and how it has been cared for.  Does it look well-cared for, unthrifty (with poor hair coat and sunken eyes) or over- or underweight?

Describe the rabbit's attitude:  is it BAR (bright, alert and responsive), QAR  (quiet, alert and responsive), depressed, lethargic, excited or aggressive?

4. Weight-

Changes in an animal's weight are an easy way to monitor its overall health.

 

Gently place the rabbit on the scale and weigh it
Record the weight to kilograms

Our balance at Medaille College has two values to read:  the upper bar is grams (0 - 500 g) and the lower bar is kilograms-  you must add the values from both bars.

Conversion:

1000 grams (g)  =  1 kilogram (kg)    or     1 kg   
                                                               1000 g

Weight (g)   x     1 kg      =   weight in kg
                        1000 g

Example:
:

Weight from upper bar  =   245 g

245 g  x    1 kg      =                         kg
              1000 g

Weight from lower bar  =   1 kg +  500 g

500 g  x    1 kg     =                         kg
               1000g

Total weight  =                    kg  +  1 kg  +                    kg  

 

5. Vital signs-

Along with body weight, the vital signs--temperature, pulse rate and respiratory rate-- are important parameters used to monitor the health of an animal.  These values should be obtained early in an exam, before the animal becomes excited.

• Temperature:
  

  • Thermometer prep-
    Stand away from the work table and grasp the thermometer firmly
    Shake the mercury down by snapping your wrist
    Lubricate the bulb end of the thermometer with lube on a gauze sponge
    (DO NOT touch the thermometer to the tube of jelly!!)

• Restraint-
  Hold the rabbit with the hind end supported and slightly elevated
  

• Taking the temperature-
  Gently insert the thermometer about 1" into the rectum at a slight downward angle.  Hold the thermometer in place for 1 minute, remove and wipe feces and lubricant off with a clean gauze sponge.
  
  

• Read and record the temperature in degrees Fahrenheit  (ex.103.2°  F).

• LOOK CLOSELY at each thermometer to determine what the increments represent.  Many thermometers print the even number degrees and designate the odd numbers with unlabelled lines.  Partial degrees are often 0.2°  F.

Example:

• Pulse-
  Place your index finger on the medial (inside) thigh over the femoral artery.  Palpate (feel for) a slight groove and apply gentle pressure until you feel the pulse.

Count the number of beats in 15 seconds and multiply by 4  (because there are four 15-second blocks in one minute).

Record the results in BPM  (beats per minute).

Example:
60 beats in 15 seconds x 4  =  240 BPM

(If you are unable to palpate the pulse, count the heart rate (HR) and make a notation on the record that you obtained the HR, not the pulse).

• Respiratory rate-

Watch the sides of the rabbit or listen with a stethoscope to the animal's breath.  Count the number of breaths in 15 seconds and multiply by 4 to determine the number of respirations per minute (RPM).

6. Systems Examination:
   

• General principles-

  When performing a physical examination, it is essential that the entire animal be evaluated in a systematic manner.  You should examine the rabbit from its nose to its tail.  Develop a routine and follow the same pattern every time that you perform an exam, and you will be less likely to overlook a problem.  

• It is helpful to examine both sides of an animal (such as the left and right front legs), because often only one side is abnormal.  Another animal can be used for comparison as well.

  If the results are "normal", record "NR"  or "Not remarkable".  Be sure that you record units of measurement  (if you write down that an animal has a lesion with a size of "3", it could be 3 millimeters, 3 centimeters or 3 inches).  Any abnormality should be reported and should be described in detail.

  We often use a "systems" approach to the physical exam, evaluating each body system to answer important questions, such as...
  
  

  • Skin and hair coat:
    Is the hair soft and shiny?  If so, record not remarkable.
    Is there any alopecia (bald spots)?  If so, record location and size.
    Are there any lesions or bumps?  If so, record location and size.
    Is the skin dry, flaky and/or red?  If so, record location and describe.
    Are there any signs of parasites?  If so, identify.
    
    Assess hydration by lifting the rabbit's skin like a tent.  The skin of a properly hydrated rabbit will immediately snap back into place.  In a dehydrated animal, the tent will persist.
    
    

  • Respiratory system:
    Does it seem to be OK and the RPMs are within range?  Record "not remarkable"
    Is there any nasal discharge?  If so, describe appearance, which nostril and amount.
    Are the respirations audible?  If so, describe the sound and listen with a stethoscope.
    Are the respirations shallow or deep, very rapid or slow...
    
    

  • Eyes and ears:
    Do they seem to be OK?  Record....
    Is there any ocular discharge?  If so....
    Are the pupils equal in size?  If not...
    Is there any swelling or redness in the eyes?  If so...
    Are the ears dirty, smelly or waxy?  If so...
    Are there any signs of parasites?  If so...
    
    

  • Digestive system:
    Does everything seem to be OK?  Record...
    Examine the teeth:  are they maloccluded or broken?  If so...
    Is there an odor to the rabbit's breath?  If so...
    Palpate the abdomen-  is it painful or tense?  do you feel any lumps?  If so...
    Evaluate the feces-  are they soft?  is there blood or mucus present?  If so...
    
    

  • Cardiovascular system:
    Does everything seem to be OK?  Record...
    Auscult the rabbit's heart wit ha stethoscope-  can you hear the beat?
    Evaluate the rabbit's mucous membranes  (e.g. gums, vulva...)

    • What is the color-  pink, red, pale, gray, muddy....

    • Determine the capillary refill time-
      Blanch the gums by pressing firmly with your finger
      Count how many seconds before normal color returns
      Reference value is <2 seconds
      
      

  • Skeletal system:
    Does everything seem to be OK?  Record...
    Palpate the legs-  are they symmetrical?  is there any pain or heat?
    Place the rabbit on the floor and observe its movements-

    • Is the rabbit ambulatory (able to move about)?

    • Is there any limping?
      
      

7. Record your results on the Physical Examination Form and the rabbit's cage card

Date	Procedures	Name
08/31/02	PE:  BAR.  Weight 1.2 kg.  T 102.4 degrees F, P 144 BPM, R 100 RPM.  Lesion (R) ear- 1 cm scab.  Slight serous discharge (L) eye.  Otherwise NR.	L. Komasara

Have an instructor approve your cage card before you leave.

Hand in one Physical Examination form per group, signed by all group members.

Ensure that your rabbit has food and water and is OK before you leave the lab.