Rabbits Health Husbandry Disea »

Richardson, V.C.G., MA, VetMB, MRCVS

Rabbits are the third most popular pet in the world and the trend to keep them indoors will make the "house rabbit" the pet of the next century. Rabbit owners expect and deserve the same standard of veterinary care for their rabbits as they receive for their cats and dogs. Devoted entirely to the pet rabbit, this book is a practical and concise guide to health, husbandry and diseases.

The book begins with an overview of rabbit husbandry. Nutritional requirements and clinical examination are covered in chapters 2 and 3. Subsequent chapters then take a body system approach to describing diseases, their diagnosis and treatment. There are separate chapters on behaviour, anaesthesia and surgery, and zoonotic aspects.

This practical, quick-reference guide will appeal to veterinarians, veterinary students, veterinary nurses and breeders alike.

Doody Review Services

Reviewer:Thomas J. Burke, DVM, MS(University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine)
Description:In this 178-page soft-bound text the author discusses pet rabbits as seen by the general practitioner. In 18 chapters he covers the basics (husbandry, nutrition, physical exam) and then approaches disease from a systems approach. Chapters on anesthesia, behavior, and a brief formulary round out the book. There is an index and list of references. There are a few black-and-white illustrations.
Purpose:The author's intent is to provide current knowledge on rabbits kept as pets as seen by the general practitioner.
Audience:Practicing veterinarians, veterinary students, and animal health technicians are the intended audience.
Features:The author presents succinct, easy to read information about rabbits kept as pets (versus those reared in research colonies or for meat) for the practitioner. The nutrition and behavior chapters are especially interesting. In the former the author presents not only a list of toxic plants but a discussion of plants with potentially therapeutic components. Diseases and surgery are presented on a systems basis. There is a general list of references (specific references are not cited in the text) and an index. There is, unfortunately, a paucity of illustrations of disease conditions. Some of the pharmaceuticals mentioned are not currently available in the U.S.
Assessment:This text is a welcome addition to the library of the practicing veterinarian. It is, in my opinion, a fine book with coverage of some areas not commonly covered in other texts. The chapter on nutrition is especially valuable. Purchase is recommended.

Preface.

1 Husbandry.

2 Nutrition.

3 The Clinical Examination.

4 The Skin.

5 The Reproductive System.

6 The Neonatal Rabbit.

7 The Urinary System.

8 The Respiratory System.

9 The Digestive System.

10 The Musculoskeletal System.

11 The Teeth.

12 The Head and Neck.

13 Neurological and Neuromuscular Disorders.

14 Important Viral Diseases.

15 Behaviour.

16 Anaesthesia and Surgery.

17 Drugs and Treatments.

18 Zoonotic Aspects.

References and Further Reading.

Index.