Presence of significant quantities of gas in the intestines may hinder a proper conduction of abdominal ultrasonography. In humans, preparatory techniques are used to solve this, but measures to avoid ultrasonographic complications due to intestinal gas in rabbits have not been reported. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of fasting and simethicone administered orally on the quality of ultrasonographic images of the gallbladder, kidneys, and jejunum in adult New Zealand White (NZW) rabbits. A total of 28 adult NZW rabbits were included in a crossover design study, involving four groups: F: fasting for 4–6 h before the examination; FS: fasting and application of simethicone (20 mg/kg, orally) 20 to 30 min before the examination; S: application of simethicone 20–30 min before the examination without fasting; and C: controls without fasting and no application of simethicone. Evaluation of the ultrasonographic images was done in terms of percentage of visualization of each organ and image quality using a 3-point scoring system (unacceptable, acceptable, or excellent). The kidneys and the gallbladder were visualized at an equal frequency in all groups, while the jejunum was visualized more frequently in the FS group. The image quality scores for gallbladder, right kidney, and left kidney was similar for all groups, but for the jejunum, a higher number of images with acceptable scores was found within the FS group.

<p>Rabbit production has great growth potential in a country where animal production is very important. However, there is little data about this industry in Southern and Southeast Brazil. The aim of this study was to describe Brazilian rabbit farms that provide meat, pets and animals for learning or research. Three pet farms, four meat farms and five research rabbit farms were visited, and the production and farm characteristics data were collected between June 2018 and March 2019. A total of 1170 rabbits and 617 cages were evaluated. Most farms had 21 to 60 (58.3%) does. Considering all farms, the farmers reported an average rate of conception of 71.8%, prolificacy rate of 6.7 kits per parturition, average interval between parturitions of 65 d and 6.3 parturitions/doe yr. The mean mortality rate for breeding rabbits was 10.4%, compared to 1.7% for growing rabbits (rabbits post-weaning until slaughter or sale). The average area of a cage was 0.43±0.1 m², with an average stocking density for growing rabbits of 3 rabbits/m². The most common cage system used by farmers was a flat-deck (66.7% of farms) system with a wire cage (91.7%). Metal (41.7%) and clay (33.3%) feeders were the most common types of feeders, and automatic nipple drinkers were present in 75% of the farms. Dirt accumulation was observed in 11.2% of the cages and 5.7% of the drinkers, but not in feeders. A total of 4.1% of the cages were considered unsafe, and 0.8% had problems with the drinkers. The farms studied ranged from small to medium in size, used an extensive reproductive rhythm and followed basic production techniques. Animal health and management aspects need to be reviewed by the farmer if the rabbit production conditions are to improve.</p>

Environmental enrichment improves rabbit welfare in rabbitries. Various toys for cats and dogs are commercially available, which are made of materials that could be safely used for rabbits as well. The objectives of this study were to evaluate whether cardboard and rubber materials could be used for environmental enrichment for rabbits. The study involved 42 adult New Zealand white rabbits (20 females and 22 males), randomly assigned to seven treatment groups: “C”, without object (control); “RB”, a solid rubber ball; “FT”, a fillable teether filled with hay; “CH”, a cardboard hole; “CS”, a piece of a cat scratcher; “CSC”, a piece of a cat scratcher with catnip; “CF”, an articulated cardboard fish. The behaviour of the rabbits and the percentage of destruction of the objects were recorded for 28 d. The normal behaviours of locomotion, rearing, stretching, stereotypies and sitting were not influenced by the treatments. Lying down was observed more frequently than the full stretched out position for resting. The FT-treatment group presented most behaviours of interaction (biting and sniffing) (<em>P</em>&lt;0.05) as compared to RB, CSC, and CF-treatment groups. All the objects showed some level of destruction; the mean rates of destruction for CH, CS, CSC and CF were up to 40%, whereas those for FT and RB were under 30%. Taken together, the results suggest that cardboard and rubber materials can be used as means of environmental enrichment for rabbits.

O coelho doméstico (Oryctolagus cuniculus) é um mamífero herbívoro com importância na produção de carne, como animal de estimação e como modelo experimental. Conhecer a anatomia da espécie, com suas particularidades, é essencial para quem trabalha com ela. No entanto, o material bibliográfico disponível pode ser antigo ou de difícil acesso pelo estudante ou profissional. Atualmente, com a evolução dos métodos de imagem diagnóstica, as estruturas anatômicas estudadas podem ser observadas com maior detalhamento. Dessa forma, esta revisão de literatura buscou disponibilizar informações sobre a osteologia, miologia, vascularização e inervação do membro torácico do coelho, com atualização da nomenclatura com a Nômina Anatômica Veterinária de 2017.

A palpação abdominal é uma técnica comum para diagnóstico de gestação em coelhas de produção, porém poucossão os estudos de sua eficiência para a espécie. Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a eficácia da palpaçãoabdominal no diagnóstico de gestação aos 7, 14, 21 e 28 dias de gestação. Um total de 20 coelhas foi distribuídoem dois grupos: controle (não gestantes, n=10) e experimental (gestantes, n=10). Ultrassonografia abdominalfoi utilizada para confirmar a gestação das fêmeas do grupo experimental. A palpação abdominal foi realizadaem todas as coelhas por dois examinadores, aos 7, 14, 21, 28 dias após o início do estudo. O índice de acerto nodiagnóstico foi de 72,5%, 92,5%, 97,5% e 100% aos 7, 14, 21 e 28 dias do estudo. Concluiu-se que a palpaçãoabdominal apresentou-se eficiente a partir do 14º. dia, podendo ser indicado como um método de diagnóstico degestação para essa espécie.