Laboratory reference intervals for systolic blood pressure, rectal temperature, haematology, biochemistry and venous blood gas and electrolytes in healthy pet rabbits

Abstract

Prospective data from 86 healthy pet rabbits were evaluated to establish reference intervals for hematology, biochemistry, urinalysis, venous blood gas and electrolytes, rectal temperature and systolic blood pressure. Reference intervals for rectal temperature (37.4-39.6 ºC) and systolic blood pressure (75-134 mm/Hg) were previously unreported in pet rabbits. Differences by more than 30% with reference intervals present in the bibliography were observed in the blood biochemistry and urinalysis, being attributed to the variability in methodological factors with the present study.

Keywords

• Biochemistry
• Hematology
• Rabbits
• Rectal temperature
• Systolic blood pressure