Common Diseases of Small Rodents

Question 1

What is the size difference between the upper and lower incisors in hamsters?

Answer 1

Lower incisors are 3 times longer than the upper incisors

Question 2

At what temperatures do syrian hamsters hibernate?

Answer 2

Below 5 degrees

Question 3

Which mites can be found commonly found on healthy hamsters?

Answer 3

Demodex

Question 4

What are the two options for treatment for demodex mites in hamsters and how do you use both??

Answer 4

Amitraz topically or ivermectin injections

Question 5

Aside from demodex mites, list 3 other causes of alopecia in hamsters

Answer 5

Cushing’s disease
Mycosis fungiodes
Old age

Question 6

What is mycosis fungiodes also known as?

Answer 6

Cutaneous epitheliotropic lymphoma

Question 7

What is incisor malocclusion usually caused by?

Answer 7

Gnawing on bars

Question 8

Which hamsters are usually affected by proliferative ileitis?

Answer 8

3-8 weeks old

Question 9

What is proliferative ileitis caused by?

Answer 9

Lawsonia intracellularis

Question 10

Briefly describe the normal reproductive system of a female hamster

Answer 10

4 day oestrus cycle with copious white discharge with distinctive odour at the end of the cycle

Question 11

How would you diagnose pyometra in a hamster?

Answer 11

Microscopic examination of discharge to differentiate pus
Gentle palpation of the abdomen

Question 12

What is the treatment of pyometra in hamsters?

Answer 12

Ovariohysterectomy

Question 13

What is the most common cause of pneumonia in rats?

Answer 13

Mycoplasma pulmonis

Question 14

What are the most common causes of acute and chronic pneumonia in mice?

Answer 14

Acute - Sendai virus
Chronic - Mycoplasma chronic

Question 15

What are the three types of antibiotics that you could use in rats and mice for pneumonia?

Answer 15

Enrofloxacin
Azithromycin
Doxycycline

Question 16

What can you use bisolvon powder for in rats with pneumonia?

Answer 16

Bronchial secretolytic

Question 17

List four causes of barbering in rats and mice

Answer 17

Overcrowding
Lack of bedding
Lack of dietary fibre
Boredom
Dominance

Question 18

List three types of fur mites that you can get in mice.

Answer 18

Myobia musculi, radfordia affinis, mycopters musculinus.

Question 19

What is the main treatment for fur mites in mice?

Answer 19

Ivermectin.

Question 20

What is the burrowing mite found on rats and mice and what is the main treatment?

Answer 20

Notoedres muris
Ivermectin

Question 21

What are the two causes of ulcerative dermatitis in rats and mice?

Answer 21

Staphyloccus aureus
Group G Streptococcus

Question 22

List three predisposing factors to ulcerative pododermatitis

Answer 22

Obesity
Poor cage hygiene
Wire mech floors

Question 23

List three causes of neurological signs such as head tilt, torticollis, circling and ataxia

Answer 23

Usually secondary to otitis interna/media
Central brain lesion
Tyzzer’s disease (clostridium piliforme)