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Conformation-associated health in pet rabbits in the UK: A VetCompass cohort study
Dan G O'Neill1, Abbie Williams1, Dave C Brodbelt1
1Department of Pathobiology and Population Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, Hatfield, UK.
Background:
Domestic rabbit breeds vary substantially from the wild rabbit body type. However, little is known about how the conformation of pet rabbits influences their health.
Methods:
Data were extracted from VetCompass anonymised clinical records of rabbits under UK primary veterinary care during 2019.
Results:
The study included 162,107 rabbits. Based on 88,693 rabbits with relevant breed information recorded, skull shape was classified as brachycephalic (79.69%), mesaticephalic (16.80%) and dolichocephalic (3.51%). Based on 83,821 rabbits with relevant breed information recorded, ear carriage was classified as lop-eared (57.05%) and erect-eared (42.95%). From a random sample of 3933 rabbits, the most prevalent disorders recorded overall were overgrown nail(s) (28.19%), overgrown molar(s) (14.90%) and obesity (8.82%). Compared to those with a mesaticephalic skull shape, brachycephalic rabbits had lower odds of obesity, anorexia and gastrointestinal stasis and higher odds of perineal faecal impaction, tear duct abnormality and haircoat disorder. Compared to erect-eared rabbits, lop-eared rabbits had higher odds of perineal faecal impaction and tear duct abnormality.
Limitation:
A large proportion of records with incomplete breed information hindered full analysis for breed-related and conformation-related attributes.
Conclusion:
Limited evidence for major links between skull shape or ear carriage conformations and overall disorder risk suggests that factors such as husbandry or even just living life as a domesticated species may be bigger drivers of common health issues in pet rabbits in the UK.
