Hematology of Lagomorphs

Major crossmatch compatibility of rabbit blood with rabbit, canine, and feline blood

“…11 However, rabbits have higher RBC turnover and a predicted random destruction rate of 0.5% per day, resulting in an average life span of 45-70 days. 11 Rabbit RBC life span is thus more similar to feline RBCs (66-72 days) and approximately half that of canine RBCs (110-120 days). Despite rabbit hemostasis being similar, generally, to other mammals, rabbit blood hemolyzes easily and clots quickly, which may complicate phlebotomy for crossmatches and blood donation.…”

“…11 While there are >300 breeds of domestic rabbits, all are descendants of a single species, the European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus), originally native to the Iberian Peninsula. 11 Although there are no widely clinically recognized blood types in rabbits, it is possible potential rabbit RBC alloantigens and naturally occurring alloantibodies exist in varying prevalence among different domestic rabbit breeds and geographically distinct populations similar to domestic dogs. A single colony of laboratory rabbits was shown to develop varying titers of alloantibodies after repeated allogeneic blood transfusions, suggesting recipient sensitization occurs in rabbits similar to other mammals.…”

“…In terms of comparative hematology, rabbit RBCs exhibit a typical mammalian, anucleated, biconcave disc morphology similar to canine and feline RBCs 11 . However, rabbits have higher RBC turnover and a predicted random destruction rate of 0.5% per day, resulting in an average life span of 45–70 days 11 . Rabbit RBC life span is thus more similar to feline RBCs (66–72 days) and approximately half that of canine RBCs (110–120 days).…”

“…Rabbit RBC life span is thus more similar to feline RBCs (66–72 days) and approximately half that of canine RBCs (110–120 days). Despite rabbit hemostasis being similar, generally, to other mammals, rabbit blood hemolyzes easily and clots quickly, which may complicate phlebotomy for crossmatches and blood donation 11 . While there are >300 breeds of domestic rabbits, all are descendants of a single species, the European rabbit ( Oryctolagus cuniculus ), originally native to the Iberian Peninsula 11 .…”

“…Despite rabbit hemostasis being similar, generally, to other mammals, rabbit blood hemolyzes easily and clots quickly, which may complicate phlebotomy for crossmatches and blood donation 11 . While there are >300 breeds of domestic rabbits, all are descendants of a single species, the European rabbit ( Oryctolagus cuniculus ), originally native to the Iberian Peninsula 11 . Although there are no widely clinically recognized blood types in rabbits, it is possible potential rabbit RBC alloantigens and naturally occurring alloantibodies exist in varying prevalence among different domestic rabbit breeds and geographically distinct populations similar to domestic dogs.…”