• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.137-140
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• 2015

A 2-year-old female lop-eared rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) was presented to the veterinary clinic at a zoo with pruritus, alopecia, and crusting of the ear. Examination of skin scrapes revealed an infestation with the rabbit ear mite, Psoroptes cuniculi. Weekly subcutaneous ivermectin injection over a three-week period resulted in remission of the clinical signs and improvement of the overall conditions of the rabbit.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.315-330
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• 2017

The aim of this study is to examine the damage of plants in the islands due to the habitat and feeding of European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) and to suggest future management plan. The survey area Beomseom Island is found to be a vegetation distribution type that was formed secondary by the exposure of artificial interference except for evergreen vegetation distribution and European rabbit showed high habitat track density mainly in the lumbering area. Kkamakseom Island was identified as a severe vegetation distribution area due to interference, and European rabbit showed high habitat track density around deciduous broad leaved forests. Feeding plants of European rabbit was identified as a total of 12 families 17 breeds. Total 9 families 11 breeds were found in Beomseom Island while 5 families 6 breeds were found in Kkamakseom where most available food resources were loss to European rabbit. As for vegetation index of Beomseom Island, about 6.6% of total island area was declined and the vegetation index of Kkamakseom Island was reduced at most area of the island. In Kkamakseom Island, the area where EVI decreased to less than -0.008 unit/yr was reduced to 5.2%, and the area where it was reduced to -0.008 to -0.006 unit/yr in total was 13.32% of the total area. Thus, it was estimated to be seriously damaged by vegetation. Therefore, immediate management is required.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.53 no.6
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• pp.759-763
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• 2015

The breeding of domestic rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) for human consumption has a long tradition in China. Infections that can affect the production of meat or even be transmitted from animals to humans are important to monitor, especially for public health reasons as well as for their impact on animal health. Thus, a total of 1,132 domestic rabbit sera from 4 regions in China were collected for serological screening for Encephalitozoon cuniculi and for Toxoplasma gondii by ELISA and modified agglutination test (MAT), respectively. Antibodies to E. cuniculi were detected in 248/1,132 (21.9%) sera tested while antibodies against T. gondii revealed a seroprevalence of 51/1,132 (4.5%). We believe that the present results are of epidemiological implications and public health importance due to the acknowledged susceptibility of humans to E. cuniculi and T. gondii infections. Therefore, routine screening tests of domestic rabbits are proposed considering the zoonotic potential of these parasites.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Veterinary Clinics Conference
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• 2009.04a
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• pp.253-253
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• 2009

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.58 no.4
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• pp.383-387
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• 2015

A duplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) detection method was developed to authenticate the use of cat and rabbit in food and to prevent unlawful distribution of illegally butchered meat in both domestic and imported food market. Species-specific primers were designed targeting mitochondrial cytochrome b gene. The sizes of PCR products were 191 bp for cat and 101 bp for rabbit, which were relatively small for better application of the detection method on processed foods. Specificities of primers were verified using 21 animal species including cat and rabbit. Limit of detection was examined by serial dilution of the sample DNA and confirmed as 0.005 ng for rabbit and 0.0005 ng for cat using Bioanalyzer. The developed duplex PCR method showed specificity and sensitivity in the identification of two target species.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.165-178
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• 2020

This study investigated the exotic mammals introduced to Korea to present the basic data necessary for ecological risk assessment and the establishment of an alien species management database. For this purpose, a list of alien mammals introduced to Korea was established by investigating alien mammals introduced for zoo exhibits purposes, alien mammals in breeding environments traded between individuals, and alien mammals introduced into nature. A total of 163 taxa were identified as alien mammals introduced to Korea. There were 139 taxonomic groups of ornamental alien mammals, including 11 orders, 44 families, 129 species and 10 subspecies; 28 taxonomic groups of alien mammals traded between individuals, including five orders and 19 families; and eight taxonomic groups of alien mammals introduced into nature, including four orders, seven families, seven species, and one subspecies. For the effective management of alien mammals introduced to Korea, it is important to collect basic information, such as a list of all species introduced, their populations, and introduced areas. It is also necessary to apply proactive management policies according to the degree of potential risk by preemptively evaluating the ecological risks that may arise from the introduction of alien species into natural ecosystems. For the eight taxonomic groups of Capra hircus, Cervus nippon taiouanus, Felis catus, Myocastor coypus, Oryctolagus cuniculus, Ondatra zibethicus, Ovis aries, and Rattus norvegicus identified to be introduced into the natural ecosystem of Korea, the provision of proliferation control measures at the national level, continuous monitoring of changes in diffusion trends, and immediate response based on the degree of change are required.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.25 no.11
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• pp.1960-1965
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• 2015

Rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) is highly contagious and often causes fatal disease that affects both wild and domestic rabbits of the species Oryctolagus cuniculus. A highly pathogenic RHDV variant (RHDVa) has been circulation in the Korean rabbit population since 2007 and has a devastating effect on the rabbit industry in Korea. A highly pathogenic RHDVa was isolated from naturally infected rabbits, and the gene encoding the VP60 protein was cloned into a baculovirus transfer vector and expressed in insect cells. The hemagglutination titer of the Sf-9 cell lysate infected with recombinant VP60 baculovirus was 131,072 units/50 μl and of the supernatant 4,096 units/50 μl. Guinea pigs immunized twice intramuscularly with a trial inactivated RHDVa vaccine containing recombinant VP60 contained 2,152 hemagglutination inhibition (HI) geometric mean titers. The 8-week-old white rabbits inoculated with one vaccine dose were challenged with a lethal RHDVa 21 days later and showed 100% survival rates. The recombinant VP60 protein expressed in a baculovirus system induced high HI titers in guinea pigs and rendered complete protection, which led to the development of a novel inactivated RHDVa vaccine.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.75-80
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• 2022

An 11-year-old male Rex rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) had a rectal prolapse induced by a polypoid mass. The mass was highly vascularized with a cauliflower-like appearance. Anorectal papilloma was suspected, and fine needle aspiration cytology showed eosinophilic inflammation. After surgical removal of the polyp, postoperative care was given, such as systemic antibiotics and analgesics. In the re-examination, the rabbit was resolved, and there were no complications. Histopathological examination of the removed polyp indicated chronic eosinophilic proctitis to be the cause of the inflammatory condition of the protruding rectal polyp.

• Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.423-439
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• 2022

The acute dermal and eye irritation tests of Photorhabdus temperata, a symbiotic bacterium of Heterorhabditis megidis Gwangju strain, were carried out in New Zealand white rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus), following the guidelines of OECD and Rural Development Administration (RDA) of Korea. In both tests, neither dermal nor eye responses were found from all the P. temperata treated rabbits and the results were classified as non-irritating. That is, erythema, eschar, edema, and any other dermal critical signs were not observed from all the experimental rabbits in the dermal irritation test. In the acute eye irritation test, no clinical signs of cornea, iritis, conjunctiva (redness, edema, lacrima, and chemosis) were observed from all the experimental rabbits. Individual ocular irritation, mean ocular irritation, and acute ocular irritation were calculated as 0.0. The results of dermal and eye irritation studies on P. temperata indicated that this bacterium could be a safe and effective alternative bionematicide against the most serious plant-parasitic root-knot nematodes in the genus Meloidogyne.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.40 no.6
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• pp.445-451
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• 2023

An 8-year-old female pet rabbit presented at the veterinary clinic for mammary gland palpation due to the presence of a mass. Upon physical examination, a mass was identified in the left fourth mammary gland. Abdominal ultrasonography revealed a 3 × 2 cm mass in the right uterus and general thickening of the endometrium, suggesting uterine sinusitis. Multiple pulmonary nodules suspected to be metastatic lesions were identified on chest radiography. Surgery was performed to mastectomy and ovariohysterectomy (OHE). The histopathological examination of the tumor revealed mammary gland adenocarcinoma (simple-type) with multiple nodules consisting of the proliferation of tumor cells forming tubules containing secretory materials, cellular debris, and solid nests with a central area of necrosis. Metronomic chemotherapy was performed with cyclophosphamide and lomustine (CCNU) based on the histopathological findings. The quality of life has been well maintained, with no specific clinical symptoms observed for 8 months after metronomic chemotherapy. To the best of authors' knowledge, this study is the first to examine the effects of metronomic chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide and lomustine in a pet rabbit.