Assessing Ulcerative Pododermatitis of Breeding Rabbits

Rosell, J. M.; Fuente, L. F. de la

doi:10.3390/ani3020318

Cited by 25 publications

(28 citation statements)

References 29 publications

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“…Nevertheless, regarding wire diameter, the increase from 2 to 3 mm is not effective in reducing sore hocks (de Jong et al, 2008). The use of a plastic mat over the wire mesh of the cage floor has been shown to reduce ulcerative pododermatitis both in the field (Rosell and de la Fuente, 2009a,b; Rommers and de Jong, 2011;Rosell and De La Fuente, 2013) and under controlled conditions (Miko et al, 2014). On the other hand, when comparing different types of flooring and housing (wire mesh floor in individual cages equipped with plastic mat vs. wire mesh equipped with plastic mats in collective systems vs. fully slatted plastic floor in collective systems), Buijs et al (2014) did not observe any ulcerative pododermatitis in any doe after four reproducing cycles.…”

Section: Pododermatitismentioning

confidence: 99%

Health and welfare of rabbits farmed in different production systems

Nielsen

Álvarez²,

Bicout³

et al. 2020

EFS2

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The AGRI committee of the European Parliament requested EFSA to assess the welfare of rabbits farmed in different production systems, including organic production, and to update its 2005 scientific opinion about the health and welfare of rabbits kept for meat production. Considering reproducing does, kits and growing rabbits, this scientific opinion focusses on six different housing systems, namely conventional cages, structurally enriched cages, elevated pens, floor pens, outdoor/partially outdoor systems and organic systems. To compare the level of welfare in the different housing systems and rabbit categories, welfare impact scores for 20 welfare consequences identified from the literature were calculated, taking their occurrence, duration and severity into account. Based on the overall welfare impact score (sum of scores for the single welfare consequences), obtained via a 2-step expert knowledge elicitation process, the welfare of reproducing does is likely (certainty 66-90%) to be lower in conventional cages compared to the five other housing systems. In addition, it is likely to extremely likely (certainty 66-99%) that the welfare of kits is lower in outdoor systems compared to the other systems and that the welfare is higher in elevated pens than in the other systems. Finally, it is likely to extremely likely (certainty 66-99%) that the welfare of growing rabbits is lower in conventional cages compared to the other systems and that the welfare is higher in elevated pens than in the other systems. Ranking of the welfare consequences allowed an analysis of the main welfare consequences within each system and rabbit category. It was concluded that for reproducing does, as well as growing rabbits, welfare consequences related to behavioural restrictions were more prominent in conventional cages, elevated pens and enriched cages, whereas those related to health problems were more important in floor pens, outdoor and organic systems. Housing in organic rabbit farming is diverse, which can result in different welfare consequences, but the overall welfare impact scores suggest that welfare in organic systems is generally good.

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Section: Pododermatitismentioning

confidence: 99%

Health and welfare of rabbits farmed in different production systems

Nielsen

Álvarez²,

Bicout³

et al. 2020

EFS2

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“…Starvation in lactating and growing hares and trauma in born hares accounted for ∼10% of mortality, as already observed (15% at 25 to 75 days of age; Paci et al, 1998). Ulcerative pododermatitis associated with multifocal visceral purulent lesions and generalized AAamyloidosis was observed only in reproducing hares and was caused by S. aureus, most likely predisposed by mechanical injury from the cage wire floor, as evidenced in rabbits (Rosell and de la Fuente, 2013). To our knowledge, ulcerative pododermatitis has never been documented in hares, but generalized AA-amyloidosis has been reported in free-living hares affected by chronic inflammation (Geisel and Linke, 1988).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 89%

Performance and mortality of farmed hares

Rigo

Trocino

Poppi

et al. 2015

Animal

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Performance and mortality of hares were evaluated for 2 consecutive years in a large farm in Veneto Region (Northern Italy). On average, fertile reproductive pairs (n = 318) gave birth 4.8 times and produced 11.4 live leverets, weaned 8.4 leverets and produced 7.0 growing hares (60 days) every year. Mean mortality was 3.6%, 22.9%, 9.7% and 2.5% in newborn (0 to 2 days of age), suckling (3 to 25 days), growing (26 to 60 days) and sub-adult (61 days until sale) hares, respectively. The main causes of mortality were enteric diseases (75.5%, 75.9% and 12.1% in suckling, growing and sub-adult hares, respectively), followed by respiratory diseases (3.4%, 8.0% and 36.2% in suckling, growing and sub-adult hares, respectively), starvation (11.3% and 8.8% in suckling and growing hares, respectively) and trauma (7.1%, 2.3% and 30.2% in suckling, growing and sub-adult hares, respectively). In reproducing hares, mortality was 24.7% and 15.4% in 2010 and 2011, respectively. Respiratory diseases (34.8%) and ulcerative pododermatitis (18.9%) were the most common pathological changes detected in reproducing hares. Farmed hares seem to be affected by diseases resembling those of rabbits reared under intensive conditions. It seems necessary to improve the husbandry of hares to reach satisfactory technical standards and to preserve their health.

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“…The percentage of farms using footrests increased from 27.8% in 2001 to 75.2% in 2012. At the same time, the percentage of does with sore hocks fell from 11.4% to 6.3% (Rosell and de la Fuente, 2013).…”

Section: Floor Type (In All Types Of Cages and Pens)mentioning

confidence: 85%

Alternative and enriched housing systems for breeding does: a review

et al. 2016

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Abstract:The main results and observations on group and individually housed rabbit does were reviewed by Szendrő and McNitt in 2012, but in recent years several new papers in this field have been published. This provides a new opportunity to summarise the current knowledge on alternative housing systems for breeding does. In Switzerland, rabbit does are generally housed in group systems. The recently legislated Belgian and Dutch housing systems will be converted step by step into group housing systems. Recent research demonstrated that with semi-group housing systems much better performance levels are possible than with the Swiss group housing system. However, solutions to eliminate aggression, stress and injuries which are common among rabbit does in group housing systems have yet to be found. Some authors are of the opinion that individual cages are too small and allow limited possibilities for movement and social contact. Positive results were seen when platforms were inserted into the cages and the possibility for movement increased. The does and their kits could jump up and down using the platforms. Using footrests, the incidence of sore hocks declined. Several environmental enrichments which increase the well-being of rabbit does can also be used. These enriched cages (equipped with platforms, footrests, gnawing sticks, etc.) are fully in line with animal welfare requirements. Increasing the size of cages and enriching them increases the production cost and the meat will be more expensive.

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Assessing Ulcerative Pododermatitis of Breeding Rabbits

Cited by 25 publications

References 29 publications

Health and welfare of rabbits farmed in different production systems

Health and welfare of rabbits farmed in different production systems

Performance and mortality of farmed hares

Alternative and enriched housing systems for breeding does: a review

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