Common Diseases of Small Rodents Flashcards
What is the size difference between the upper and lower incisors in hamsters?
Lower incisors are 3 times longer than the upper incisors
At what temperatures do syrian hamsters hibernate?
Below 5 degrees
Which mites can be found commonly found on healthy hamsters?
Demodex
What are the two options for treatment for demodex mites in hamsters and how do you use both??
Amitraz topically or ivermectin injections
Aside from demodex mites, list 3 other causes of alopecia in hamsters
Cushing’s disease
Mycosis fungiodes
Old age
What is mycosis fungiodes also known as?
Cutaneous epitheliotropic lymphoma
What is incisor malocclusion usually caused by?
Gnawing on bars
Which hamsters are usually affected by proliferative ileitis?
3-8 weeks old
What is proliferative ileitis caused by?
Lawsonia intracellularis
Briefly describe the normal reproductive system of a female hamster
4 day oestrus cycle with copious white discharge with distinctive odour at the end of the cycle
How would you diagnose pyometra in a hamster?
Microscopic examination of discharge to differentiate pus
Gentle palpation of the abdomen
What is the treatment of pyometra in hamsters?
Ovariohysterectomy
What is the most common cause of pneumonia in rats?
Mycoplasma pulmonis
What are the most common causes of acute and chronic pneumonia in mice?
Acute - Sendai virus
Chronic - Mycoplasma chronic
What are the three types of antibiotics that you could use in rats and mice for pneumonia?
Enrofloxacin
Azithromycin
Doxycycline
What can you use bisolvon powder for in rats with pneumonia?
Bronchial secretolytic
List four causes of barbering in rats and mice
Overcrowding
Lack of bedding
Lack of dietary fibre
Boredom
Dominance
List three types of fur mites that you can get in mice.
Myobia musculi, radfordia affinis, mycopters musculinus.
What is the main treatment for fur mites in mice?
Ivermectin.
What is the burrowing mite found on rats and mice and what is the main treatment?
Notoedres muris
Ivermectin
What are the two causes of ulcerative dermatitis in rats and mice?
Staphyloccus aureus
Group G Streptococcus
List three predisposing factors to ulcerative pododermatitis
Obesity
Poor cage hygiene
Wire mech floors
List three causes of neurological signs such as head tilt, torticollis, circling and ataxia
Usually secondary to otitis interna/media
Central brain lesion
Tyzzer’s disease (clostridium piliforme)
