Ferrets, hamsters, gerbils, nonhuman primates and nontraditionals Flashcards
What is the term for an intact male ferret?
Hob
What is the term for a spayed female ferret?
Sprite
What is the average lifespan for a ferret?
5 to 8 years
List the two most common endocrine diseases of ferrets.
Insulinoma
Hyperadrenocorticism
What does insulin do to blood sugar levels? (Does it raise them or lower them?)
lowers blood sugar
What is a useful technique for restraining a ferret when giving a SQ injection?
scruffing
why do ferrets need to stay at the vets office for 45 mins after a vaccine appointment?
If ferrets have an allergic reaction to a vaccine, the reaction is more severe than in other species.
reaction should happen within 30 mins so they are observed for 45 mins
what is used to treat allergic reactions from vaccines in ferrets
epinephrine and/or steriods
Two vaccines that ferrets should receive
canine distemper
rabies
why do you want to spay female farrets, even if they won’t be bred
the jills are induced ovulators, meaning that if they are not bred they will stay in estrus for a long period of time.
what can staying in estrus for a long period of time cause in a ferret
hypoestrogenism - suppressed bone marrow and increased risk of severe anemia
List two things about hamsters that make them unique to the other rodents we have studied.
The females are larger and more aggressive than males.
They have cheek pouches that they can hide their offspring in if they feel threatened.
A client calls and says that her 2- month- old hamster has that “common” hamster disease. The sign she is noticing is most likely:
diarrhea
True/False
Amyloidosis is the most common cause of death in gerbils.
False - most common death in hamsters
Which rodent can mate for life?
gerbil
Describe the correct way to pick up and hold a gerbil. Why is it important to know this?
Do not pick them up by their tale or they can have “tail slip”, the thin layer of skin on their tale can come off (like degloving)
What is the common cause of gastric ulcers in ferrets?
Helicobacter mustelae
True/False
Cat food is acceptable to feed ferrets if it contains at least 25% protein.
False - must contain 30% protein
Which of these (hamster, gerbil, or ferret) would be most likely to present to your clinic with a rectal prolapse?
ferrets
three things that make gerbils different from hamsters
gerbils are longer, slimmer and stand nearly upright/jump higher
The Non-human primate that is most used in research is the (list the genus/species please.)
Macaca mulatta
Describe what callosities are in non-human primates.
Thick skin on their butts that is like a butt pad – red butts! Let’s them sleep sitting on their butt without falling over.
What type of cage is used for restraint in monkeys?
squeeze cage
