Insights into Clinical Pathology of Rabbits

With an estimation of 14 million pet rabbits worldwide, proper clinical care as well as an accurate understanding of the animal health status is necessary. Therefore, hematology, biochemistry, and urinalysis are essential tools for an overall health assessment and diagnosis of any underlying condition. However, in rabbits, the interpretation of hematology and serum and urinary biochemistry reference ranges can be quite challenging due to the lack of conformity from distinct reference sources and how wide they can be. In this chapter, the interpretation of the reference ranges and the clinical conditions associated with values outside of them are summarized. In a brief manner, hematological results are helpful to understand red blood cell or white blood cell disparities, linked to dehydration, anemias, inflammatory or infection responses, and even stress. Biochemistry informs about inadequate nutrition, renal and hepatic impairment, electrolyte inequality, and stress response. Lastly, urinalysis enlightens about kidney function as well as inadequate diet and electrolyte imbalance. The reference ranges here described are an amalgamation of different sources.