Bodyweight and body condition score in rabbits on four different feeding regimes. (21st December 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Prebble, J. L.; Shaw, D. J.; Meredith, A. L.
• Is Part Of: Journal of small animal practice. Volume 56:Number 3(2015:Mar.)
• Page Start: 207
• Page End: 212
• Publication Date: 2014-12-21
• Subjects: Veterinary medicine -- Periodicals; Veterinary Medicine -- Periodicals; 636.089
• DOI: 10.1111/jsap.12301
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-4510

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="jsap12301-abs-0001"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec id="jsap12301-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>OBJECTIVES</title> <p id="jsap12301-para-0001">The aim of this study was to assess the effects of four diet regimes (extruded diet with <italic>ad lib</italic> hay, muesli with <italic>ad lib</italic> hay, <italic>ad lib</italic> hay only, <italic>ad lib</italic> muesli only) on bodyweight and body condition score in rabbits.</p> </sec> <sec id="jsap12301-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>METHODS</title> <p id="jsap12301-para-0002">Thirty‐two Dutch rabbits were studied over 9 months. Bodyweight and body condition score were recorded weekly.</p> </sec> <sec id="jsap12301-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>RESULTS</title> <p id="jsap12301-para-0003">All groups gained weight with age, but relative to the <italic>ad lib</italic> hay only group (mean, 1 · 77 ± 0 · 13 kg), after 9 months rabbits in the <italic>ad lib</italic> muesli only group were 146% heavier (2 · 59 ± 0 · 32 kg); extruded diet with <italic>ad lib</italic> hay group 125% heavier (2 · 21 ± 0 · 10 kg); and muesli with <italic>ad lib</italic> hay group 123% heavier (2 · 18 ± 0 · 13 kg). Median body condition score of the <italic>ad lib</italic> muesli only group was obese (4 · 5) and was higher than that in both the extruded diet with <italic>ad lib</italic> hay and muesli with <italic>ad lib</italic> hay (median = 3 · 5) groups (P < 0 · 001). Both the extruded diet with <italic>ad lib</italic> hay and muesli with <italic>ad lib</italic> hay groups had above‐ideal body condition score despite having bodyweights within the breed standard range. The <italic>ad lib</italic> hay only group had a median body condition score of 3 (ideal). There was an overall positive correlation between body condition score and weight (<bold>q</bold><italic><sub>s</sub></italic> = 0 · 814, P < 0 · 001).</p> </sec> <sec id="jsap12301-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE</title> <p id="jsap12301-para-0004">The feeding of muesli without hay should be avoided, to prevent obesity.</p> </sec> </abstract>