Common Diseases of Rats Flashcards
What bacteria causes Murine respiratory mycoplasmosis?
Mycoplasma pulmonis
What common bacterial disease causes dyspnea, Otitis media leading to a head tilt, and incoordination and circling?
Murine respiratory mycoplasmosis
How is Murine Respiratory Mycoplasmosis treated?
Oxytetracycline.
Controls outbreaks but does not eliminate the organism
What disease is found throughout the world in all species of laboratory animals?
Tyzzer’s Disease
What Gram-negative, spore-forming flagellated bacteria causes Tyzzer’s Disease?
Bacillus piliformis
What is required for a definitive diagnosis of Tyzzer’s Disease?
Histologic exam
What is available to to detect Tyzzer antibodies in rats and mice?
ELISA
Can rats have Tyzzer carrying organisms without having clinical signs?
Yes
What causes Tyzzer’s disease?
Poor sanitation
Overcrowding
What are the clinical signs of Tyzzer’s Disease?
Diarrhea
Anorexia
What is the treatment for Tyzzer’s Disease?
Tetracycline
What Gram-negative bacteria causes Pasteurellosis?
Pasturella pneumotropica
Pasturella multocida
What are the clinical signs Pasteurellosis?
Upper respiratory infection or pneumonia
May have abscesses in the skin, lymph nodes, uterus, & urinary system
What is the treatment of Pasteurellosis?
Oxytetracycline or Chloramphenicol
Will not eliminate organism
What bacterial infections are rare in a well-managed facility?
Streptococcosis pneumoniae
Who are particularly susceptible to Streptococcosis?
Young rats
What are the clinical signs of Streptococcosis?
Chromodacryorrhea Inflamed nasopharynx Pleuritis Meningitis Bronchopneumonia
What is the treatment of Streptococcosis?
Procaine Penicillin G Oxytetracycline Chloramphenicol Gentamicin
What causes rat bite fever or Haverhill fever in humans?
Streptobacillus moniliformis
What is the most significant viral disease in rats and is highly contagious?
Sialodacryoadenitis
What is the incubation period of Sialodacryoadenitis?
2 days
How is Sialodacryoadenitis transmitted?
Respiratory aerosol
Direct contact with respiratory secretions
How is Sialodacryoadenitis diagnoses?
Based on clinical signs or serologic testing
What are the clinical signs of Sialodacryoadenitis?
Rhinitis Swollen salivary & harderian glands Cervial edema Photophobia Chromodacryorrhea Corneal lesions
What is the treatment of Sialodacryoadenitis?
Symptomatic
Minimize ocular infections
Isolation 6-8 weeks
What are 6 non-neoplastic diseases of rats?
Glomerulonephropathy Polyarthritis nodosa Myocardial degeneration Radiculoneuropathy Spinal cord degeneration Muscular atrophy in lumbar regions
What louse species causes hair loss and pruritus?
Polyplax spinulosa
What causes dermatitis and ear mange?
Mites
What ectoparasite is uncommon in rats?
Fleas
How are blood parasites transmitted?
Ectoparasites
What are some examples of ectoparasites?
Trypanosoma lewisi Trypanosoma cruzi Hepatozoon muris Babesia muris Haemobartonella muris
What species of tapeworm has the potential for zoonotic infection?
Hymenolepis nana
