Rabbit Refinements

Evidence-based refinements for rabbits.

Housing & Handling

In a laboratory setting, it is important to provide housing that allows expression in a wide range of species-typical behaviors while also meeting the goals of the researcher. Substandard housing can lead to aggression, stereotypes, and anxiety. Understanding the animal’s natural behavior enables us to build quality environments that meet physical, behavioral, and social needs. Proper design is critical for improved health and welfare, both of which impact scientific validity.

Making changes to current housing standards can be challenging especially since facilities may be at very different levels of current housing. Work from where you are currently to make improvements. Also keep in mind that some of the recommendations below (e.g., providing increased exercise space to rabbits) can change some specific experimental models.

Before implementing housing changes, be sure to consult the relevant scientific literature and consider the requirements of your scientific model. Each facility may require an individual approach to increasing housing standards as much as possible.

Key Natural Behaviors

  • Highly social with strong dominance hierarchies
  • Foraging
  • Crepuscular/Nocturnal (Though can be diurnal in the laboratory. (Jilge, 1991))
  • Allo-grooming
  • Nesting for breeding does

Recommendations

  • Stable social housing
  • Pen housing
  • Raised area or shelves
  • Straw, hay, chew sticks, cardboard boxes
  • Shelter from intense light
  • Rotating, novel enrichment schedule
  • Behavioral management
  • Background noise
  • Mirrors
  • Positive handling: early contact, full support while carrying, positive reinforcement training, etc.
  • Nest boxes for does
  • Larger exercise areas, especially for males (with full contact or protected contact with perforated dividers)

Procedural Refinements

1. Rabbit Injections and Blood Collection

  • Use smaller needles and minimally invasive techniques
  • Consider using trained personnel to reduce stress and pain during procedures
  • Implement analgesia and anesthesia protocols to minimize discomfort
  • Avoid jugular vein when possible, the peripheral veins safer

2. Rabbit Surgical Procedures

  • Employ less invasive surgical techniques when possible, such as laparoscopic surgery
  • Ensure proper anesthesia and analgesia, and use precise surgical skills to minimize trauma
  • Post-operative care should include pain management and monitoring for complications

3. Rabbit Handling and Restraint

  • Train staff to handle rabbits gently and with minimal stress as rabbits are uniquely prone to back and leg injuries and must be handled properly
  • Use proper restraint techniques and provide training to avoid unnecessary handling. Snuggles, towel wraps, restraint devices, VAB Lines etc.

4. Rabbit Dermal and Ocular Testing

  • Consider the smallest area possible
  • Provide appropriate analgesia
  • Appropriate training to recognize pain/discomfort

5. Rabbit Humane Anesthesia

  • Special considerations on dosing, cardiovascular or respiratory impact
 
 

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