Exotics Flashcards
What is the most common cutaneous tumor in the ferret?
mast cell tumor
Transmission of myxomatosis
arthropod vectors
Cutaneous lymphoma has been reported in what small mammals?
hamsters, rabbits, mice, gerbils
What virus can cause an erythematous rash, hyperkeratosis of footpads, planum nasale, and pinna in ferrets?
canine distemper virus
What species of dermatophytes can affect small mammals?
Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Microsporum canis, Microsporum gypseum
What is Myobia musculi? What animals does it infest?
fur mite – rats and mice
Why must ivermectin be given SQ in guinea pigs?
difficulty with GI absorption
Scientific name for ferret
Mustela putorius furo
Most common clinical signs of hyperadrenocorticism in ferrets
alopecia, particularly of tail tip, and bilateral symmetry on flanks; pruritus (30% of cases); swollen vulva; paraurethral cysts; prostatomegaly
What is the rabbit flea?
Spilopsyllus cuniculi
What is Myocoptes musculinus? What animals does it infest?
fur mite – rats and mice
What is Polyplax serrata?
Anoplura - sucking louse - of mice
Demodex species in hamsters
Demodex aurati (long, follicular); Demodex criceti (short, stratum corneum)
How is venereal spirochetosis diagnosed?
microscopic visualization of Treponema paraluiscuniculi from skin scrapes, visualization of organisms on biopsy using silver stains; serologic tests used to diagnose human syphilis!
Treatment of choice for abscesses in rabbits
surgical removal
Lice found in guinea pigs
Gliricola porcelli (Mallophaga = chewing/biting louse), Gyropus ovalis (Mallophaga)
T/F: Ketoconazole is not effective for treatment of hyperadrenocorticism in ferrets.
True - and has side effects of hepatotoxicity and thrombocytopenia
Why is Mitotane (op’-DDD) not recommended in ferrets?
low therapeutic index, often ineffective, can cause profound hypoglycemia
What is an important vector of myxomatosis in rabbits?
Spilopsyllus cuniculi
Parasites that affect rats and mice
Myobia musculi, Myocoptes musculinus, Radfordia ensifera, Notoedres muris, Liponyssus bacoti, Polyplax spinulosa, Polyplax serrata
T/F: Mast cell tumors in ferrets have a poor prognosis.
False - usually benign and has a good prognosis with surgical removal
New World rabbits are very resistant to this disease, but Old World rabbits are extremely susceptible.
Myxomatosis - caused by a myxoma virus of pox virus group
Parasites that can affect guinea pigs
Trixacarus caviae, Chirodiscoides caviae (fur mite)
Mouse pox is caused by what?
orthopoxvirus
Abscesses in rabbits are usually infected with what organism?
Pasteurella multocida
Sebaceous adenitis has been reported in what small mammals?
rabbits
What are treatments for Treponema paraluiscuniculi (Rabbit syphilis)?
Penicillin G, given SQ q7d x 3 doses; CHPC BID x 4 weeks, Azithromycin PO SID-BID x 15 days
Clinical signs associated with Psoroptes cuniculi in rabbits
otitis externa, otitis media – head shaking, pruritus of ears, head and/or ear dropping
What is the causative organism of Rabbit syphilis?
Treponema paraluiscuniculi
Zinc-responsive dermatosis has been reported in what zoo animal?
Llamas
What is Radfordia ensifera?
Rat fur mite
What is the prognosis for rabbits infected with myxoma virus (pox virus)?
poor - morbidity and mortality approach 100%
Causes of nodular dermatoses in small mammals?
infectious/ulcerative pododermatitis, myxomatosis, mouse pox, trichofolliculoma, other neoplasms such as fibromas and SCC, congenital malformations
T/F: Pituitary-dependent hyperadrenocorticism is more common than adrenal-dependent in ferrets.
False - adrenocortical hyperplasia or neoplasia is the finding in 100% of ferrets with this disease, pituitaroy neoplasia has not been found with this disease
What is the most common secondary infection in pododermatitis of rabbits?
Staphylococcus aureus
Treatment for sebaceous adenitis in small mammals
cyclosporin 5 mg/kg and medium chain triglycerides q24h
What is Liponyssus bacoti?
tropical rat mite
What is Polyplax spinulosa?
Anoplura - sucking louse - of rats
What do Polyplax serrata (mice) and Polyplax spinulosa (rats) serve as vectors for?
Mycoplasma (Haemobartonella) muris, Encephalitozoon cuniculi, Eperythrozoon coccoides
Parasites that affect hamsters
Notoedres muris
Cutaneous neoplasias reported in ferrets?
Mast cell tumor (most common), cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, leiomyosarcoma, melanoma, chordoma (metastases in the skin)
Clinical signs associated with Notoedres muris in hamsters and rats
hamsters: affects ears, face, genitalia; rats: can have nasal “horns”
What is the most common secondary infection in pododermatitis of guinea pigs?
Staphylococcus aureus or Corynebacterium pyogenes
Risk factors for ulcerative pododermatitis in guinea pigs?
obesity, poor hygiene, hypovitaminosis C, wire flooring
Demodicosis is most common in what small mammal?
Hamsters - specifically the Syrian hamster (Mesocricetus auratus)
What is a fur slip? In what species does it occur?
chinchillas - when frightened or stressed, this species will shed tufts of hair (fur) - may take 3-5 months to regrow
Most common species of Cheyletiella in rabbits?
Cheyletiella parasitovorax
Aromatase inhibitors such as anastrazole are used to treat what disease in ferrets?
hyperadrenocorticism - when estradiol is elevated; The aromatase inhibitor blocks aromatase, which is needed for the final step in estrogen synthesis
Which small mammals can be affected by cutaneous lymphoma? Clinical signs?
Hamsters»_space; rabbits, guinea pigs, mice; Severe alopecia and crusting
How is infectious ectromelia (mouse pox) diagnosed?
electron microscopy, IHC, serologic testing, virus isolation, PCR
What skin lesion can hypovitaminosis C cause in guinea pigs?
scaling of the pinnae
Transmission of infectious ectromelia (mouse pox)
oral-fecal, respiratory, skin abrasion, contact with contaminated bedding, serum
What is a potential long-term complication of ulcerative pododermatitis in guinea pigs?
systemic amyloidosis
Treatment of choice for hyperadrenocorticism in ferrets
surgical removal of affected adrenal gland(s) and administration of gonadotropin-releasing hormone analog deslorelin acetate
T/F: Demodicosis is common in ferrets.
FALSE
Hyperadrenocorticism is most common in what small mammal?
hamsters, ferrets
Cystic ovaries are most common in what small mammal?
guinea pig
Causes of chelitis in guinea pigs
Rough forage, acidic fruit, Hypovitaminosis C, Pox Virus (in UK)
Clinical signs of Treponema paraluiscuniculi (Rabbit syphilis)?
crusts, erythema, edema, vesicles, ulcers, proliferative lesions on face & perineum – lesions are PAINFUL not pruritic; metritis, abortion and neonatal death
Clinical signs of infectioius ectromelia (mouse pox)
small crusts, papules, swellings, ulceration, necrosis of feet, ear, or tail
Why should aminoglycosides be avoided in treatment of otitis in chinchillas?
causes oto-neuro-toxicity
Thymoma has been reported in what small mammals?
rabbits
Causes of alopecia without pruritus in small mammals
dermatophytes, barbering, shedding, Demodex spp., endocrinopathies
T/F: Rabbit syphilis is zoonotic.
FALSE
What is the first differential for a pruritic guinea pig?
Trixacarus caviae (guinea pig sarcoptid mite) – convulsions resembling seizures can be seen in affected guinea pigs due to the intense pruritus and debilitation
Figurate erythema has been seen in association with what disease in ferrets? Recommended treatment?
seen with hyperadrenocorticism or after adrenalectomy; Rx essential fatty acids at feline dose
What is Leporacarus gibbus?
fur mite of rabbits
Risk factors for ulcerative pododermatitis in rabbits?
obesity, wet bedding, grid floors, rough cages, unsanitary conditions, hereditary factors – most common in Rex rabbits
Androgen receptor blockers such as bicalutamide may be useful in ferrets under what circumstances?
when prostatic hypertrophy occurs with hyperadrenocorticism
Clinical signs of Myxomatosis (caused by myxoma virus)?
edema of head, ears, eyelids, genitalis, milky oculonasal discharge; lethargy, fever; myoxmas= firm, non-pruritic, erythematous nodules
How is myxomatosis diagnosed?
clinical signs, microscopic lesions, virus isolation
Melatonin can be an adjunctive therapy in what disease of ferrets?
hyperadrenocorticism - may be effective for hair regrowth; does NOT reduce the size of adrenal glands
Causes of scaling and crusting dermatoses in small mammals
Cheyletiella sp. Mites, venereal spirochetosis (rabbit syphilis), hypovitaminosis C, sebaceous adenitis, cutaneous lymphoma, thymoma
Pathogenesis of hyperadrenocorticism in ferrets
after neutering –> on negative feedback on GnRH (gonadotrophin-releasing hormone) –> hyperplasia of zona reticularis –> elevation of adrenal androgens (androstenedione, 17-alpha-hydroxyprogesterone, DHEAS) and estradiol
T/F: ACTH stimulation test is the diagnostic of choice for hyperadrenocorticism in ferrets.
False - just need to measure sex hormones (17-alpha-hydroxyprogesterone, estradiol, androstenedione, DHEAS)
Parasites that can affect rabbits
Psoroptes cuniculi, Ctenocephalides sp., Spilopsyllus cuniculi (rabbit flea), Sarcoptes scabeii
