Digestive System (Dog & Rabbit)

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Anatomy

Digestive system of the dog & rabbit

Pharynx - the section just after the mouth which directs food down the oesophagus

Oesophagus - a long tube lined with smooth muscle which contract in a rythmic wave-like motion which propels bulbs of food down to the stomach

Cardiac sphincter - nearest the heart

Stomach - cardia, fundus, pyloris

Pyloric sphincter - after the pyloris

Small intestine - duodenum, jujunum, ileum (D.J.I)

Caecum - larger in rabbits, for digesting large amounts of fibre

Large intestine - absorbs excess water in the feaces

Colon

Rectum

Digestive System (Rabbits)

Rabbits have a large caecum in

the large intestine which digests the large amount of fibre they eat. it

contains bacteria which breaks down the fibrourus cell walls of plants.

this is a fermentation process and it realeases nutrients and adds

vitamin B

carnivores (dog, cat, ferret) have adapted to survive on a prodominatly

meat diet whereas rodents and rabbits have adapted to live on a high

fibre diet.

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