| Influence of diet on calcium metabolism, tissue calcification and urinary sludge in rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus)* | |
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MedLine Citation:
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PMID: 21707782 Owner: NLM Status: Publisher |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
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Rabbits absorb more calcium (Ca) from their diet than they require, and excrete surplus via urine, which therefore contains a typical 'sludge'. This makes rabbits susceptible to Ca-containing uroliths. But given the Ca content of diets of free-ranging specimens, and the limited reports of urinary sludge and Ca contents in free-ranging lagomorphs, we can suspect that rabbits are naturally adapted to high urinary Ca loads. We fed four groups of New Zealand hybrid rabbits [n = 28, age at start 5-6 weeks) pelleted diets consisting of lucerne hay only (L, Ca 2.32% dry matter (DM)], lucerne:oats 1:1 (LG, Ca 1.36%), grass hay only (G, Ca 1.04%), or grass:oats 1:1 (GG, 0.83%) for 25 weeks, with water available ad libitum. Diets were not supplemented with Ca, phosphorus, or vitamin D. Rabbits on diets LG and GG had lower food and water intakes, lower faeces and urine output, grew faster and had higher body mass at slaughter (mainly attributable to adipose tissue). Apparent Ca digestibility decreased in the order L-LG-G/GG. Rabbits on L had larger and heavier kidneys, more urinary sediment at sonography, and a higher urinary Ca content than the other groups. No animal showed signs of urolithiasis/calcinosis at X-ray, sonography, or gross pathology. Kidney/aorta histology only sporadically indicated Ca deposits, with no systematic difference between groups. Under the conditions of the experiment, dietary Ca loads in legume hay do not appear problematic for rabbits, and other factors, such as water supply and level of activity may be important contributors to urolithiasis development in veterinary patients. However, due to the lower Ca content of grass hay, the significantly lower degree of urinary sludge formation, and the significantly higher water intake related with grass hay feeding, grass hay-dominated diets are to be recommended for rabbits in which urolithiasis prevention is an issue. |
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Authors:
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M Clauss; B Burger; A Liesegang; F Del Chicca; M Kaufmann-Bart; B Riond; M Hässig; J-M Hatt |
Publication Detail:
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Type: JOURNAL ARTICLE Date: 2011-6-24 |
Journal Detail:
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Title: Journal of animal physiology and animal nutrition Volume: - ISSN: 1439-0396 ISO Abbreviation: - Publication Date: 2011 Jun |
Date Detail:
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Created Date: 2011-6-28 Completed Date: - Revised Date: - |
Medline Journal Info:
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Nlm Unique ID: 101126979 Medline TA: J Anim Physiol Anim Nutr (Berl) Country: - |
Other Details:
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Languages: ENG Pagination: - Citation Subset: - |
Copyright Information:
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© 2011 Blackwell Verlag GmbH. |
Affiliation:
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Clinic for Zoo Animals, Exotic Pets and Wildlife, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland Institute of Animal Nutrition, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland Diagnostic Imaging Unit, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland Clinical Laboratory, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland Herd Management Unit, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland. |
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