9.5.1: Anorexia in small mammals Flashcards
Treatment principles of GI disease
Prokinetics that can be used in rabbits
Analgesia for rabbits with GI disease
Fluid therapy for rabbits
Bloat
Antibiotics for rabbits
Treatment of gastric bloat
Treatment of dysbiosis in rabbits
Treatment of dental absesses in rabbits
Nutritional support for rabbits
What history questions should you ask if a small mammal presents with anorexia?
- What is their diet like?
- Are they inside / outside?
- Faeces - quantity and appearance? Remember caecotrophs are softer, produced in the evening, and some owners never see them
- Any recent changes?
- Any stress?
- Are they in any pain?
- Any new pets?
What aspects of your clinical exam should you focus on in the small mammal presenting with anorexia?
- Examine teeth
- Examine eyes - nasolacrimal duct pass tooth roots
- Observe and palpate the whole head thoroughly: underneath jaw, facial symmetry
- For lop rabbits, check ears -> repeated infections can cause gut stasis
- Check for other sources of pain: arthritis, bladder infections -> if these are not addressed, GI disease will keep reoccuring
- Palpate abdomen
- Auscultate the GIT in hindgut fermenters (rabbits, chinchillas, guinea pigs, degus)
- Check BCS
- Check perineal area
Do not be afraid to advise further exam e.g. of teeth under sedation
If the teeth do not show enough wear, what might this suggest?
- Selective eating
- Not enough fibre in diet (vegetation / hay)
If the teeth are weak, what might this suggest?
- Too many sugary treats and fruit (can cause caries and predispose to dental abscesses)
- Vitamin C deficiency in guinea pigs
- Selenium deficiency
- Ca/P imbalance (metabolic bone deficiency)
Which small mammal is prone to Vitamin C deficiency?
Guinea pigs
* They cannot produce their own Vitamin C so must obtain it entirely from diet
* They can have problems if fed a rabbit diet
* Vitamin C degrades in sunlight so can have problems if the food is left open
Signs of Vitamin C deficiency in guinea pigs
- Scurvy
- Weak bones
- Weak peridontal ligaments (weaker teeth)
When rabbits get tooth spurs, which teeth grow into the tongue and which grow into the cheek?
- Upper cheek teeth overgrow into the cheek
- Lower cheek teeth overgrow into the tongue
Lower cheek teeth in guinea pigs naturally curve inwards and towards the centre. What problems can this cause if left unchecked?
If these teeth overgrow, they can form a bridge which traps the tongue.
True/false: orange colouring of the teeth indicates pathology in small mammals.
False.
Some species normally have yellow or orange teeth (e.g. Degus) however this colour should be uniform throughout. The image below is very abnormal.
What does the ideal rabbit diet comprise of?
- 85% hay - not alfalfa because this is too high in sugar and calcium
- 10% vegetables
- 5% pellets
No muesli - they will selectively eat this.
Why is feeding alfalfa hay a problem in rabbits?
- Alfalfa hay is too high in sugar and calcium
- This can cause bladder issues e.g. urolithiasis