Effect of rabbit gastrointestinal stasis (RGIS) on the fecal microbiota of pet rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus)
Date
2025-02-25
Authors
Rahic-Seggerman, Faith M.
Iske, Cayla
Graham, Jennifer
Furst, Nicole
Kohles, Micah R.
Major Professor
Advisor
Committee Member
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Public Library of Science
Abstract
Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) gastrointestinal stasis syndrome (RGIS) is defined as reduced motility of any part of the digestive tract that can lead to impaction and death if left untreated. This study aimed to describe the effect of RGIS on the fecal microbiota of client-owned pet rabbits. Fecal samples from healthy rabbits and rabbits displaying RGIS were obtained and the symptomology of the rabbits was recorded along with any medical intervention. The health outcomes were as follows: 1) Healthy rabbits (Healthy, n = 21), and 2) Rabbits that displayed symptoms of RGIS, were treated, and recovered (RGIS, n = 22). The fecal samples were analyzed using 16S rRNA and 18S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing to characterize the bacterial and eukaryotic microbial communities, respectively. In the 16S rRNA amplicon dataset, two bacterial genera were found in higher abundance in rabbits with RGIS: Clostridium sensu stricto 1 and an unclassified genus in the Enterobacteriaceae family. Likewise, five genera were found in higher abundance in healthy rabbits. The yeast Cyniclomyces guttulatus dominated the eukaryotic microbiota in all rabbits. RGIS is one of the most common issues in clinical practice. This study is the first to perform detailed characterization of the effects of RGIS on the domestic rabbit’s bacterial and eukaryotic fecal microbiota. The results demonstrate a significant change in the relative abundance of seven bacterial genera associated with RGIS. Future research is necessary to elucidate the potential role of these microorganisms in RGIS. In the long-term, treatments targeting the restoration of the physiological gastrointestinal microbiota should be developed.
Series Number
Journal Issue
Is Version Of
Versions
Series
Academic or Administrative Unit
Type
Article
Comments
This article is published as Rahic-Seggerman FM, Iske C, Graham J, Furst N, Schmitz-Esser S, Kohles MR (2025) Effect of rabbit gastrointestinal stasis (RGIS) on the fecal microbiota of pet rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) . PLoS ONE 20(2): e0318810. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0318810.
Rights Statement
© 2025 Rahic-Seggerman et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
Copyright
Funding
The study was funded by Oxbow Animal Health Omaha, Nebraska; and the United States Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture (1027723, JG). Oxbow Animal Health had a role in the study design, but no role in data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript. The United States Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript. Thank you to the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, North Grafton, Massachusetts, for providing samples and laboratory storage facilities as well as assistance with funding the project (JG).