23.11.4: Dermatology of small mammals and exotic species

Question 1

True/false: demidicosis is a common finding in healthy hamsters.

Answer 1

False
It is typically associated with systemic disease causing immunosuppression.

Question 2

Which mite is commonly seen in rabbits and may be indicative of underlying disease such as arthritis? Explain why this may be the case.

Answer 2

Cheyletiella is a common mite of rabbits.
* May be seen in the arthritic rabbit who is failing to adequately self groom and thus cannot clean themselves of mites

Question 3

This was found on a rabbit. What might it be suggestive of?

Answer 3

Excessive scale/dandruff is suggestive of Cheyletiella

Question 4

In which small mammals are trichofolliculomas most common?

Answer 4

Guinea pigs

Question 5

Describe the appearance and characteristics of a trichofolliculoma in a guinea pig?

Answer 5

• Not painful
• Not attached
• Mass with sebaceous grey secretion
• Can become large and ulcerated

Question 6

What is this and which species does it affect?

Answer 6

Knemidocoptes
This is a burrowing mite of bird

Question 7

Which condition is pictured here? What is its colloquial name?

Answer 7

Pododermatitis a.k.a. bumblefoot

Question 8

What happens if this lesion is left?

Answer 8

• This is pododermatitis (bumblefoot)
• Abscess beneath scab -> infection can track up into tendons and bone
• May result in euthanasia

Question 9

What is pictured here? Which birds might it be more common in?

Answer 9

Feather cyst
* More common in canaries
* Also more common in in-bred birds (ones that have been excessively selectively bred for a prolonged period of time)

Question 10

What problem is seen here? What are your main differential diagnoses?

Answer 10

Hyperkeratosis of the beak
* Differentials: mites (Knemidocoptes), hypovitaminosis A

Question 11

What problem is seen here? What are your main differential diagnoses?

Answer 11

Hyperkeratosis of the feet
* Differentials: mites (Knemidocoptes), hypovitaminosis A

Question 12

What condition is pictured here and which elements of the husbandry might be implicated?

Answer 12

Dysecdysis
Common finding when husbandry incorrect; often humidity or sometimes diet.

Question 13

How would you treat mites in birds?

Answer 13

• Ivermectin or selamectin
• Address the underlying cause e.g. stress, systemic disease that might predispose the bird to this problems