Date: May 24, 2016, Further Reading updated Nov 17, 2020
By: Christal Pollock, DVM, DABVP (Avian Practice)
Reviewed by: Jörg Mayer, MS, DVM, DABVP (Exotic Companion Mammal Practice), DECZM, DACZM; Bret Meckel, DVM, and Lorelei Tibbetts, LVT, VTS (Exotic Companion Animal – Clinical Practice)
Keywords: calcium, cecotrophy, cecum, cheek teeth, coprophagy, dewlap, diastema, epaxial, feces, fiber, herbivore, incisor, lagomorph, pododermatitis, teeth, urine
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Introduction
Welcome to LafeberVet’s Rabbit Anatomy Basics slideshow, part of a teaching module on basic rabbit care in clinical practice. This 22-minute recording is designed to impart a basic understanding of rabbit anatomy for the veterinary technician and veterinary nurse. This slideshow may also be of use as a basic learning aid for veterinary medical students and as a basic refresher for the clinician.
This slideshow recording is part of a RACE-approved Rabbit Basics Teaching Module.

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Objectives
This presentation begins with a brief review of what defines a rabbit, then reviews various segments of rabbit anatomy:
- Eyes-ears-nose-throat
- Integumentary
- Gastrointestinal tract
- Calcium metabolism
- Musculoskeletal system
Anatomy and physiology of the rabbit reproduction system is reviewed in Rabbit Reproduction Basics.
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Recording
This recording should be viewed with AUDIO ENABLED on your computer or mobile device.
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Further reading
Ballard B, Cheek R. Exotic Animal Medicine for the Veterinary Technician, 2nd ed. Ames, IA: Wiley-Blackwell; 2010.
Donnelly TM, Vella D. Anatomy, physiology and non-dental disorders of the mouth of pet rabbits. Vet Clin North Am Exot Anim Pract. 2016 Sep;19(3):737-56. doi: 10.1016/j.cvex.2016.04.004. PMID: 27497204.
Girling SJ. Veterinary Nursing of Exotic Pets, 2nd ed. Ames, IA: Wiley-Blackwell; 2013.
Harkness JE, Turner PV, VandeWoude S, Wheler CL. The Biology and Medicine of Rabbits and Rodents, 5th ed. Ames, IA: Wiley-Blackwell; 2010.
O’Malley B. Rabbits. In: Clinical Anatomy and Physiology of Exotic Species. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier Saunders; 2005: 173-195.
Quesenberry KE, Orcutt CJ, Mans C, Carpenter JW. Ferrets, Rabbits and Rodents, Clinical Medicine and Surgery, 4th ed. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier Saunders; 2020.
Tully TN, Mitchell MA. A Veterinary Technician’s Guide to Exotic Animal Care, 2nd ed. Lakewood, CO: American Animal Hospital Association Press; 2012.
Varga M. Textbook of Rabbit Medicine, 2nd ed. St. Louis: Butterworth Heinemann Elsevier; 2014.
Part of LafeberVet’s Rabbit Basics Teaching Module, the Rabbit Anatomy Basics slideshow is a 22-minute recording designed to impart a basic understanding of rabbit anatomy for the veterinary technician and veterinary nurse. This slideshow may also be of use as a basic learning aid for veterinary medical students and as a basic refresher for the clinician . . .
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To cite this page: Pollock C. Rabbit anatomy basics slideshow. May 24, 2016. LafeberVet Web site. Available at https://lafeber.com/vet/rabbit-anatomy-basics-slideshow/