Editing House Rabbit Society and AR prpoganda
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".......The new paper is specifically about rabbits in a veterinary clinic setting. It shows that heart and respiratory rates stay the same or increase in rabbits when they are examined on their fronts, but decrease when they are examined on their backs. Pupil size, another measure of stress, increases when examined on their fronts, but not their backs. Blood glucose remained at a very similar level throughout in both groups. Blood cortisol goes up with handling in both groups, but increases less in those on their backs than their fronts. Rabbits entering a vet clinic are, by definition, already very stressed, so the baseline here is somewhat skewed (this is not a criticism of the paper, just an observation), with heart rates and, in particular, respiratory rates, well above those commonly suggested as "normal". | ".......The new paper is specifically about rabbits in a veterinary clinic setting. It shows that heart and respiratory rates stay the same or increase in rabbits when they are examined on their fronts, but decrease when they are examined on their backs. Pupil size, another measure of stress, increases when examined on their fronts, but not their backs. Blood glucose remained at a very similar level throughout in both groups. Blood cortisol goes up with handling in both groups, but increases less in those on their backs than their fronts. Rabbits entering a vet clinic are, by definition, already very stressed, so the baseline here is somewhat skewed (this is not a criticism of the paper, just an observation), with heart rates and, in particular, respiratory rates, well above those commonly suggested as "normal". | ||
In summary, during TI in this study: | In summary, during TI in this study: | ||
• Heart and breathing rate drop | |||
• Pupil size decreases | |||
• Glucose does not significantly change | |||
• Cortisol increases (but less than during examination on their fronts) | |||
• There is no suggestion that there is any kind of “natural” pain relief induced by TI. | |||
• These are averages, and some rabbits show very different responses to others. | |||
Conclusions we can draw from this: | Conclusions we can draw from this: | ||
• The changes seen during TI are not those of a "fight or flight" response. | |||
• Some rabbits respond with decreases in signs, some with increases, suggesting different individual susceptibilities. | |||
• We cannot say if a rabbit "likes" being turned on its back. | |||
• The decrease in heart and respiratory rate suggest lowered physiological stress but this doesn’t necessarily equal less emotional stress. | |||
And the main concern: there is a difference between lying on their back and “true” TI. Different ways to hold and restrain rabbits have different effects and may induce TI or may not. In her social media posts on this, Dr Harcourt-Brown mentions this too, drawing a distinction between TI and trancing. The author describes carefully putting rabbits into a position on their backs, which is how Dr Harcourt-Brown also puts it. The exact nature of the difference needs further exploration, with some suggestions previously that where rabbits have had TI used in the past are more susceptible to it in future, and whether there is an element of "learned helplessness" present in at least some cases. | And the main concern: there is a difference between lying on their back and “true” TI. Different ways to hold and restrain rabbits have different effects and may induce TI or may not. In her social media posts on this, Dr Harcourt-Brown mentions this too, drawing a distinction between TI and trancing. The author describes carefully putting rabbits into a position on their backs, which is how Dr Harcourt-Brown also puts it. The exact nature of the difference needs further exploration, with some suggestions previously that where rabbits have had TI used in the past are more susceptible to it in future, and whether there is an element of "learned helplessness" present in at least some cases. | ||
This study was limited to a veterinary clinic setting. As vets, we need to incorporate these results into a contextualised care approach, and consider: | This study was limited to a veterinary clinic setting. As vets, we need to incorporate these results into a contextualised care approach, and consider: | ||
• Why we are doing it, for example to facilitate a life-saving diagnostic or therapeutic procedure like obtaining an x-ray. | |||
• If the position is appropriate. For example, it is a good position to take a urine sample from the bladder but not for syringe feeding because of aspiration risk. | |||
• How are we are lying them on their backs, and that it is in a stable and supported way. | |||
• Whether we are inducing a physiologically relaxed response or inducing a state where the rabbit is tense and poising to jump up and run for its life. | |||
• If it is appropriate for that rabbit. While the rabbits in this study appear to undergo a relaxation response, not all rabbits will do that. If the technique doesn’t work for an individual rabbit, there could be serious consequences if they jump and twist. | |||
• That there is no suggestion that this process has any analgesic benefit at all. | |||
The only conclusions we can draw from this study are limited to a veterinary clinic setting and *our advice for rabbits in all other settings remains the same*. The RWAF aims to give the most up-to-date care advice for rabbits. As they are studied more, there is more evidence, and our advice may therefore change in response. | The only conclusions we can draw from this study are limited to a veterinary clinic setting and *our advice for rabbits in all other settings remains the same*. The RWAF aims to give the most up-to-date care advice for rabbits. As they are studied more, there is more evidence, and our advice may therefore change in response. | ||
Richard | |||
Richard | |||
Richard Saunders (he/him) BSc (Hons) BVSc FRSB CBiol DZooMed (Mammalian) DipECZM(ZHM) MRCVS | Richard Saunders (he/him) BSc (Hons) BVSc FRSB CBiol DZooMed (Mammalian) DipECZM(ZHM) MRCVS | ||
Rabbit Welfare Association and Fund Veterinary Advisor" | Rabbit Welfare Association and Fund Veterinary Advisor" | ||
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Fact is as thoroughly out lined in our feeding section, that rabbits fed 80% and in particular the oft parroted Timothy only hay , will not be able to fully meet their daily nutritional needs. | Fact is as thoroughly out lined in our feeding section, that rabbits fed 80% and in particular the oft parroted Timothy only hay , will not be able to fully meet their daily nutritional needs. | ||
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"There is a vast difference in the nutritional value of hay, depending on the type of hay, the quality of forage prior to preparation and the type of and manner of the curing process of hay." Dr. T.E.Reed, Rabbit Specialist | "There is a vast difference in the nutritional value of hay, depending on the type of hay, the quality of forage prior to preparation and the type of and manner of the curing process of hay." Dr. T.E.Reed, Rabbit Specialist | ||
Their are also many arguments against feeding loose hay at all. Rabbits do best on a balance complete pellet , fed in measured amounts. Hay can actually be detrimental to tooth health causing | Their are also many arguments against feeding loose hay at all. Rabbits do best on a balance complete pellet , fed in measured amounts. Hay can actually be detrimental to tooth health causing peridontal disease, tooth abcesses, and mechanical maloculsion due to the hard nature of cheap stemmy timothy commonly fed . | ||
Hay is also void in nutrients, feeding an 80% loose hay diet to a rabbit is | Hay is also void in nutrients, feeding an 80% loose hay diet to a rabbit is actuallly starving them slowly , rabbits fed this way tend to be in poor condition , constantly shedding with brittle hair and dull sickly coats. Too much fiber pushes what little protien they have too quickly.through the body and they are unable to develope proper muscle . It weakens the bones and puts them at higher risk for breaks , it weakens immunity and makes then more succeptable to disease . It also introduced disease and parasite vectors , and has brought RHdV and EC i to rabbit households | ||
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The only benefit of spay/neuter in rabbits is population reduction. That is easily managed by keeping rabbits separate from each other. | The only benefit of spay/neuter in rabbits is population reduction. That is easily managed by keeping rabbits separate from each other. | ||
Although Spaying or Neutering removes the risk of ovarian, uterine, and Testicular Cancers by removing the body part. It can Cause mammary cancers in Male rabbits by unbalancing the hormones. Male rabbits after a neuter can start producing too much estrogen which can lead to them developing Breast cancers. In female Rabbits it is starting to be researched on the effect of Endocrine and | Although Spaying or Neutering removes the risk of ovarian, uterine, and Testicular Cancers by removing the body part. It can Cause mammary cancers in Male rabbits by unbalancing the hormones. Male rabbits after a neuter can start producing too much estrogen which can lead to them developing Breast cancers. In female Rabbits it is starting to be researched on the effect of Endocrine and Adreanal diseases caused by removing the overies. Female rabbits often become over aggressive due to the increase in Testosterones after a spay. The prevalence of ALL cancer in rabbits isnt 80% its 14 to 12%. | ||
[[need link]] | [[need link]] | ||
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" we do this by offering fresh hay a couple of times a day." even in 1996 it's completely contradictory paragraph by paragraph on their own site. | " we do this by offering fresh hay a couple of times a day." even in 1996 it's completely contradictory paragraph by paragraph on their own site. | ||
"A cage should be at least 4 times the size of your bunny-" so . if a new Zealand takes up.. approx. 1 sqft of spaces... a 4 | "A cage should be at least 4 times the size of your bunny-" so . if a new Zealand takes up.. approx. 1 sqft of spaces... a 4 sqfoot area is acceptable that's their own website. | ||
Paige K Parsons ... an photographer and graphic artist Was education director and web developer from 1997 to 2004 then stepped down. | Paige K Parsons ... an photographer and graphic artist Was education director and web developer from 1997 to 2004 then stepped down. |