PDF(Pubmed)
Abstract：
(1) Background: the popularity of rabbits has increased during the last decade and become the third most common companion animal in the EU. Rabbits\' participation in Animal-Assisted Interventions (AAIs) is growing. It is highly important to ensure the well-being of the animals in AAIs. Whereas the needs and the advantages of people involved in AAI are becoming more and more evident, the needs of animals are not clearly defined, therefore, it is a great field of inquiry. Animals who are used for AAI need to be transported regularly, which itself might be a source of stress. (2) Methods: the stress of rabbits-caused by transportation-was measured in a non-invasive way: cortisol levels were determined from feces, based on their breakdown products. Eighteen animals were involved in the study. Rabbits experienced a 30 min transportation every second day for two weeks (altogether six times) while 126 samples were collected. (3) Results: rabbits could handle the transportation procedure the first time but subsequently the stress hormone metabolites in feces samples increased regardless of the offered treatments (hay, carrot and apple) during the carriage. (4) Conclusions: those owners who use rabbits for Animal-Assisted Interventions need to take into account that transportation itself is a stressful experience for the animals.
摘要：
（1）背景：在过去的十年中，兔子的受欢迎程度有所增加，并成为欧盟第三大最常见的伴侣动物。兔子在动物辅助干预（AAIs）中的参与正在增加。确保AAI中动物的福祉非常重要。尽管参与AAI的人们的需求和优势越来越明显，动物的需求没有明确定义，因此,这是一个伟大的调查领域。用于AAI的动物需要定期运输，这本身可能是压力的来源。（2）方法：以非侵入性方式测量由运输引起的兔子的压力：从粪便中确定皮质醇水平，基于他们的细分产品。研究涉及18只动物。家兔每两天经历30分钟的运输，持续两周（共六次），同时收集了126个样品。（3）结果：兔子可以首次处理运输程序，但随后无论提供何种处理方法，粪便样本中的应激激素代谢产物都会增加（干草，胡萝卜和苹果)在马车上。（4）结论：那些使用兔子进行动物辅助干预的主人需要考虑到运输本身对动物来说是一种紧张的经历。
