Comparative morphological interpretations on the bones of the pelvic limb of New Zealand rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) and domestic cat (Felis domestica).

Hanaa Elghazali,Eman Elbehery

doi:10.5455/javar.2018.e292

Abstract

Objective:Regarding the displaying of the main differences between the pelvic limb of rabbit and cat.Materials and methods:Our work was performed on 10 New Zealand rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) and domestic cats (Felis domestica) with variable ages and of both sexes. After weighing of the animals, sedation, and anesthesia, the animals were examined radiographically. The bones of the pelvic limb were prepared, measured for its length/cm then described and compared.Results:The iliac tuberosity and the conversion of the acetabular notch into foramen were characteristics of Os coxae of the rabbit. The intertrochanteric crest was detected on the femur of the cat. In the rabbit, the leg interosseous space was located in the proximal third of this region while in the cat, it was extended along its length. The first metatarsal was undeveloped in the cat but was absent in the rabbit so metatarsal were four in the rabbit and five in the cat. The digits of the pelvic limbs in both animals were four in number. The distal sesamoid was single, transversely situated, and shuttle-shaped in rabbit but it was absent in cat.Conclusion:So, the chief points of variation between the pelvic limb bones of rabbit and cat enabled us to keep away the commercial fraud and facilitated their use as an animal model for education purposes.

Highlights

Rabbit is efficiently feasible to be used as a source of meat and for the fur industry
For the above-mentioned reasons, our research focuses on the most important differences between the bones of the pelvic limb of rabbits and cats to keep away from the commercial fraud where rabbits are used as human food in our country
The pelvic limbs of both animals were formed of Os coxae, femur, tibia and fibula, tarsal and metatarsal bones and http://bdvets.org/javar/

Summary

Introduction

Rabbit is efficiently feasible to be used as a source of meat and for the fur industry. The fibula and tibia of rabbit are fused but in the cat they are separated [4]. In marmoset (Callithrix jacchus), the tarsus contains seven tarsal bones and no distal sesamoid bones are present at the plantar sides of the distal interphalangeal joints [5]. There are seven tarsal bones, four complete metatarsals with four digits [6]. The plantar surface of the hind limb from the tarsus distally was in contact with the ground at rest [7]. For the above-mentioned reasons, our research focuses on the most important differences between the bones of the pelvic limb of rabbits and cats to keep away from the commercial fraud where rabbits are used as human food in our country. We hope to facilitate the process of anatomy education by using rabbits and cats as animal models

Ethical statement

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