兔维生素营养与缺乏症临床诊断手册

Vitamins are essential micronutrient organic compounds for maintaining normal rabbit physiological functions. Rabbits have unique requirements for certain vitamins; cecotropes provide some B vitamins and vitamin K, but supplementation through feed is still necessary under caged conditions.

Fat-soluble vitamin requirements: Vitamin A plays key roles in vision, reproduction, and immune function. Deficiency causes reproductive disorders and keratomalacia. Recommended dietary vitamin A is 10,000-15,000 IU/kg. Note that excessive vitamin A (over 50,000 IU) can cause toxicity manifesting as skeletal abnormalities.

Vitamin D promotes calcium and phosphorus absorption; deficiency in growing rabbits causes rickets. Recommended dietary vitamin D3 is 1,000-1,500 IU/kg. Vitamin E is an important antioxidant, synergizing with selenium to protect cell membranes. Deficiency causes reproductive disorders and white muscle disease; recommended 50-80 IU/kg.

Water-soluble vitamins: rabbits'' B vitamin requirements are partially met by cecotropes. Under caged conditions supplementation is still needed, focusing on thiamine, riboflavin, and niacin. Rabbits can synthesize vitamin C, but extra supplementation of 50-100 mg/kg diet during heat stress and disease is beneficial.

Clinical identification of vitamin deficiencies: declining reproductive performance is often the first sign of vitamin deficiency. Rough, dull coat is common to both vitamin A and biotin deficiency. Hindlimb paralysis may relate to vitamin E deficiency. Definitive diagnosis requires feed vitamin testing combined with liver vitamin content determination.