New Zealand White Rabbit

The New Zealand white rabbit strain was obtained in 1991 by Charles River Canada (CRC) from Kitayama Labs K.K. of Nagano Prefecture, Japan.Charles River adheres to strict biosecurity practices when breeding our New Zealand White (NZW) rabbits to ensure the highest standards in health and genetics. NZW rabbits are maintained as an outbred colony, housed in HEPA-filtered barrier rooms and bred via a pair-mating system.The rabbits are maintained under a VAF/Plus® (SOPF) health status, indicating the colony has been tested for, and is free of, an extensive list of viruses and other pathogens. On a quarterly basis, we evaluate eight animals, four rabbits age three to five months old and four of at least six months of age (typically retired breeders), from each production colony via a comprehensive health monitoring program, which includes bacteriology, parasitology, gross pathology, and serology (assessment profile). Rabbit colonies are also screened quarterly for all Helicobacter species infection by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods. In addition, each colony is tested annually by PCR for an extensive list of bacteria and some parasites and fungi using our PRIA PCR panel.