Hereditary compulsive self-mutilating behaviour in laboratory rabbits

Abstract

During the last few years an increasing number of cases of extensive automutilation has been observed in a rabbit breeding colony of Checkered crosses. Digits and pads of the front feet were traumatized. No other behavioural abnormalities or signs of disease were evident. Self-mutillation was seen both in stock, breeding and experimental animals, in rabbits kept singly in cages and in those housed in groups on the ground, in rabbits kept in different buildings and under the care of different staff members. This behavioural abnormality of Checkered crosses has also been observed in animals after being placed into other institutions or private homes. No evidence of an agent responsible for the occurrence of self-injury could be found with parasitological, mycological, histological, clinical or haematological examination. Twelve to 16 animals are affected yearly in a colony varying in size between 130 and 230 rabbits. Following complete healing, relapses occurred up to 3 times per year, on either the same or the opposite front foot. In the last 21 cases episodes of automutillation could be regularly interrupted with the dopamine antagonist, haloperidol. Similar signs of auto-mutillation were never seen in animals of another breeding line kept in the same building and under the same conditions nor in animals brought in from other breeding colonies. A relatively high coefficient of inbreeding can be presupposed in this 15-year-old breeding colony of Checkered crosses. A genetic predisposition for the behavioural anomaly described appears very likely.

Self-Mutilation and Suicide Attempts: Relationships to Bipolar Disorder, Borderline Personality Disorder, Temperament and Character

“…This familial pattern again raises questions about a potential role for genetic factors in self-mutilation. The genetics of suicide has been widely discussed [30], but not the genetics of self-mutilation, except in animals [31].…”

Biology and Diseases of Rabbits

“…Self-mutilating behavior in a Checkered cross (cross between English Spot, German Checkered Giant, and Checkered of Rhineland rabbits) was reported to occur as an inherited trait (Iglauer et al, 1995). Autotraumatization of the feet and pads was observed.…”

Human Infant Pants for Postoperative Protection during Social Housing of New Zealand White Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus)

“…Research has shown increased self-mutilation and stereotypies in singly housed animals, due to boredom, lack of appropriate caging, stress, and surgical complications. 2,8,12 Rabbits usually exhibit self-mutilation in regard to their fur, mammary glands, or digits. 2,8 Therefore it was imperative to examine whether self-mutilation was a factor in social housing.…”