Introduction

Pet rabbits are becoming more popular. Evaluation of lab data can aid in detection of metabolic dysfunctions and thus should be implemented in practice monitoring.

Objectives

To show that biochemistry screen can provide helpful information for monitoring of health status.

Methods

Seven hundred forty-two (742) rabbit samples from routine submissions were included in this study. For evaluation 10 age groups were established ranging from one month to 16 years (mean of age: 5.3 years). The parameters urea, creatinine, protein, GLDH, AST, AP, γGT, CK, calcium, magnesium, phosphate, sodium and potassium were measured photometrically using cobas 8000 c702.

Results

GLDH was mainly elevated in animals under 6 years whereas γGT elevations were mostly seen in animals younger than 1 or older than 6 years. Twenty-five percent (25.0%) of all animals showed at least one liver parameter (AST, γGT, GLDH) above reference interval, 8.5% of these with increase in two or more of these indicating possible hepatopathy. Ten percent (10.0%) of the animals revealed elevated levels of both creatinine and urea indicating possible nephropathy. Two point nine percent (2.9%) of the animals showed values suspect of both, hepatopathy and nephropathy. Evidence for nutrition imbalances (risk of urinary calculi) was detected in 39.4% of the animals with calcium increase in 17.7% and lowered concentrations of phosphate in 13.7% and magnesium in 22.3%.

Conclusions

In veterinary practice biochemistry screens still are not carried out routinely. Our data show the relevance of doing so to diagnose especially changes indicating hepatopathy, nephropathy and feeding associated imbalances as early as possible.