ANALYSIS OF THE FECAL MICROBIOTA OF THE DOMESTIC RABBIT (ORYCTOLAGUS CUNICULUS) AFFECTED WITH RABBIT GASTROINTESTINAL STASIS SYNDROME (RGIS)

The objective of this study is to characterize the bacterial and fungal microbiota from up to four gastrointestinal locations (stomach, small intestine, cecum, and large intestine) and fecal pellets of domestic rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) affected with rabbit gastrointestinal stasis syndrome (RGIS) utilizing ribosomal RNA gene (16S) amplicon and ITS1 amplicon sequencing. Using this approach, we will test the hypothesis that rabbits with RGIS will have altered microbiota, particularly with a loss of bacterial and fungal diversity, as compared to healthy rabbits by comparing results with previously conducted research in clinically healthy rabbits.