Volume 16, Issue 1: 2026 - Article 214

Abstract
Hypocalcaemia, though well recognised in some animal species, is infrequently reported in rabbits, particularly during lactation. The present case report describes an eight-month-old primiparous, lactating New Zealand White rabbit doe that presented two weeks post-kindling with acute recumbency and inability to ambulate. Vital signs were normal and no fractures or pain responses were detected. The doe was found lying in an abnormal posture (sternal recumbency of forequarters, lateral of hindquarters), and two other does in the same rabbitry had previously exhibited similar signs under comparable management conditions. Blood sample was collected from the doe and subjected to serum electrolyte assay, while the feed was analyzed for mineral constituents. The serum electrolyte levels (mMol/L) were as follows (with the normal/reference values in brackets) – Bicarbonate: 24 (20 – 30), Chloride: 110 (90 – 110), Sodium: 146 (135 – 150), Potassium: 28.90 (3.8 – 7.8), Phosphorus: 10.09 (1.5 – 3.5), and Calcium: 1.84 (2.6 – 3.5). Results of feed mineral analysis of the self-formulated diet that was fed to the rabbit were as follows: Calcium – 0.91%, Phosphorus – 0.35%, Potassium – 1.20%, Sodium – 1.55%, Chloride – 0.027%, and Bicarbonate – 0.71%. Relative to normal/reference values for rabbits, the serum levels of potassium and phosphorus were markedly elevated, while serum calcium levels were notably low, suggesting hyperkalemia, hyperphosphatemia and hypocalcemia. The low levels of dietary calcium relative to phosphorus indicated a marginal Ca: P imbalance, and the high dietary sodium and potassium could have contributed to their elevated serum levels. These findings point to electrolyte derangement likely associated with dietary mineral imbalance and lactation-induced increased physiological demand. No medical intervention was attempted. However, emphasis was placed on confirmatory diagnosis and herd-level preventive adjustments. Vigilant dietary formulation, periodic mineral monitoring and awareness of such metabolic alterations may help prevent recurrence in intensive rabbitry systems.

Keywords: Rabbit; Lactation; Hypocalcaemia; Hyperkalemia; Hyperphosphatemia; Dietary mineral imbalance.

How to cite this article:
Sanni KB, Babashani M, Shehu FN, Tijani AA, Ibrahim NB, Usman A, Suleiman N, Akaso M and Yau I (2026). Hypocalcaemia in an eight-month-old lactating New Zealand White rabbit doe: A case report. Journal of Veterinary and Applied Sciences, 16(1): 1310 – 1315.


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Hypocalcaemia in an eight-month-old lactating New Zealand White rabbit doe: A case report
Kazeem B. Sanni ¹, Mohammed Babashani ², Fadila N. Shehu ¹, Adams A. Tijani ¹, Nuraddeen B. Ibrahim ¹, Abubakar Usman ^{1 *}, Nuhu Suleiman ¹, Mujeeb Akaso ³ and Isiyaku Yau <sup>4

1</sup> National Agricultural Extension and Research Liaison Services, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria.
² Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria.
³ Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria.
⁴ Department of Biological Science, Federal University, Dutsin-Ma, Nigeria.

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