18. Chinchillas and Degus

Question 1

Suborder for Degus

Answer 1

Histricomorpha

Question 2

What do degus do that indicate social standing?

Answer 2

Heap twigs in a pile

Question 3

Are degus nocturnal or diurnal?

Answer 3

Diurnal

Question 4

Sign of aggression degus

Answer 4

Leg kicks

Question 5

What sound do degus make after grooming?

Answer 5

Warbling

Question 6

Maimum speed of degus

Answer 6

10.7 mph

Question 7

Do degus have internal carotids?

Answer 7

no

Question 8

Thymus of degus

Answer 8

Cervical and mediastinal. Mediastinal thymus eventually regresses

Question 9

Degu adrenal glands

Answer 9

Synthesize both corticosterone and cortisol

Question 10

Scrotum of degus

Answer 10

No true scrotum (like other histricomorphs)

Question 11

Female degu repro tract

Answer 11

Bicornuate with vaginal membrane open during estrus and proestrus

Question 12

Degus are what kind of ovulators?

Answer 12

Spontaneous

Question 13

When to start breeding degus?

Answer 13

6 months of age

Question 14

Gestation period for degus

Answer 14

87-95days

Question 15

Degu babies are precocious or altricial?

Answer 15

Precocious

Question 16

Degu babies are weaned at what age/

Answer 16

5 weeks

Question 17

Why do degus metabolize drugs differently from other rodents?

Answer 17

Greater cytochrome p450 in liver

Higher tolerance to morphine and pentobarbital

Question 18

DM is possible in degus under what conditions?

Answer 18

Diet high in carbs

Question 19

DM is associated with what other sequelae in degus?

Answer 19

Cataracts, amyloidosis, islet cell hyperplasia

Question 20

Why are degus idea for circ rhythm studies?

Answer 20

They are diurnal
They are social
Breed well in captivity
Slower maturation rate compared to other rodents
Circ rhythm undergoes changes during puberty (like in humans)

Question 21

What do degus develop at 5 years of age?

Answer 21

Alzheimer’s disease - homology between degu and human AB protein

Question 22

Natural defensive move of females

Answer 22

Stand on hind legs, spray urine

Question 23

Chinchillas are cursorial. What does this mean?

Answer 23

They have been adapted to run

Question 24

Chinchilla urinalysis

Answer 24

High pH, high calcium carbonate, high USG

Question 25

Female chinchilla repro tract

Answer 25

Bicornuate, dual cervices, large urogenital papilla, vaginal closure membrane

Question 26

Chinchillas have how many pairs of mammary glands?

Answer 26

3 - one inguinal, two thoracic

Question 27

How to restrain Chinchilla?

Answer 27

Grasp by base of tail - scruffing will result in fur slip

Question 28

Light:dark cycle of chinchilla

Answer 28

12:12 or 14:10

Question 29

Space and height recommendations for Chins

Answer 29

1-2ft^2, 12 inches recommended (nothing in Guide or AWA)

Question 30

Sexual maturity for Chins

Answer 30

4-12 months

Question 31

When to breed female Chins?

Answer 31

6 mos

Question 32

Chin estrus cycle length

Answer 32

38 days

Question 33

Gestation length in chins

Answer 33

111 days

Question 34

Newborn chins are precocial or altricial?

Answer 34

Precocial

Question 35

How to prevent pseudomonas in chins

Answer 35

Chlorinate water

Question 36

C/S of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis or enterocolitica in chins

Answer 36

Mucosal hemorrhage and ulceration of ileum, cecum, colon

Question 37

Viral diseases are rare in chins - T or F?

Answer 37

T

Question 38

Which human herpesviruses are chins susceptible to?

Answer 38

Human Herpesvirus -1: Conjunctivitis, neuro signs, meningitis

Question 39

2 fungal diseases in chins

Answer 39

Histoplasma capsulatum, dermatophytosis (Trichophyton mentagrophytes)

Question 40

C/S of toxo in chins

Answer 40

Meningoencephalitis, pulmonayr hemorrhages

Question 41

Sarcocystis-like protozoa in chins

Answer 41

Frenkelia

Question 42

Prevention of slobbers

Answer 42

Lava stone, regular dental care, free choice hay

Question 43

Bloat in chins is caused by what?

Answer 43

Lactating females Sudden changes in food Overeating of clover hay

Question 44

Why is ectopic pregnancy a concern in chins?

Answer 44

They don't have an ovarian bursa

Question 45

8 repro issues in female chins

Answer 45

1. Fetal resorption (high rate in chins) 2. Dystocia 3. Ectopic pregnancy 4. Pulmonary trophoblastic emboli 5. Retained placenta 6. Paraphimosis 7. Endometrial hyperplasia and chronic endometritis 8. Stump pyometra

Question 46

Neoplasia is common in chins - T or F?

Answer 46

F

Question 47

Urogenital disorder in chins

Answer 47

Urolithiasis

Question 48

Heat stroke can happen in chins when?

Answer 48

Temps over 80F

Question 49

Fur chewing can lead to what in chins?

Answer 49

Trichobezoars

Question 50

4 reasons why chins are used in auditory and vestibular research

Answer 50

1. Large bullae 2. Lack of susceptibliity to middle ear infections 3. Auditory capabilities close to humans 4. Absence of presbycusis (loss of hearing in older humans)