Ferrets, Rabbits and Rodents - Anatomy, Physiology and Common Diseases Flashcards

Question

How should rabbits be handled/restrained?

Answer 1

easily injured bc of strong legs/inflexible spine ALWAYS support hind limbs and securely restrain. When removing from cage - one hand underneath hind legs, other holds F legs NEVER scruff or hold by ears hold close to body, head tucked under arm return to cage - place in backwards (face towards you) to dec danger of kick out/bolting Use bunny burrito cover eyes can reduce stress/causes do NOT tap nose a distraction - obligate nasal breathers, causes aggression/avoidance/distress

Answer 2

meds - PO, can mix w/ fruit juice or puree, avoid IM if possible, if have to use quadriceps Urine collection - cystocentesis - no sedation required, catheterization - sedation required (sitting posture for male, sternal for female

Answer 3

sedated/HA rads to prevent injury fluid therapy via IV for cephalic, IO in greater tubercle of humerus for severely dehydrated patients Ecollar to prevent chewing of cath

Answer 4

more challenging than other mammals, mask down to induce - very sensitive to odor of inhalant anesthetics likely to hold breath - slow/calculated induction will reduce this Difficult intubation - repeated attempts not recommended nasal intubation is an option

Answer 5

collect <1ml/10g BW, skin tears easily so pluck, don't shave. Veins thin walled and fragile Lat saphenous or cephalic for easy access/minimal stress Marginal ear vein or central ear artery - difficult to get, inc hematoma risk, avoid using in pet rabbits Jug - stressful bc restrain, sedation likelt 25-27g needle, heparinized needle, can use NO needle and drip into tube sedation often a good choice to dec stress and enable you to obtain enough sample

Answer 6

class mammalia; order rodentia; family caviidae

Answer 7

icisors and molars grow continuously throughout life require dietary source of vit C sebaceous glad in dorsal tail area (no tail) prod and ingest cecotrophs pubic symphis close @ 6-9mo so breed before 6 mo or may have dystocia gestation 59-72d

Answer 8

weight: males 900-1200g, females 700-900g temp: 37.2-39.5 HR: 240-310 Lifespan: 5-6yrs

Answer 9

scurvy - vit C deficiency, req 15-25mg/kg/day (up to 50-100mg/kg/day if tx'ing deficiency), leads to defective collagen - bleeding into joins and SQ, loose teeth. Supplement diet w/ human grade vit C Antibiotic associated enterotoxemia - same antibiotic sensitivities and resultant diarrheas in rabbits dental malocclusion - same as in bunnies GI bloat - bc diet change. Dx w/ rads, look for gas. Tx w/ pain meds, force feeding or fluids, px guarded Cystic ovaries: common (>75% females btw 1.5-5yrs), C/S: abdominal distension, possibly bilateral alopecia. DX: ultrasound. Tx: US guided drainage, surgical - OHE

Answer 10

Simple housing - no platforms or wire florrs Enclosure >36" long NEED 1 "hiding box" - Ex. cardboard box Use wire sides - good circulation, easy to clean, protection from other pets NO aquariums - ammonia + nitrogen accumlation will cause resp issues Substrate: newspaper or aspen shavings - no cedar Use food hopper and sipper bottle: urinate and defecate w/o preference, leads to bowl contamination Need lg amounts of water: dehydrate quickly so monitor intake. Drink w/ mouth full of food so change water frequently and check for blockages

Answer 11

easy to handle and enjoy interactions/handling - do not commonly bite but can be vocal Fully support when lifting/holding, will struggle one hand under thorax and bum, hold close to body NEVER scruff - scary and painful very poor eyesight and depth perception - careful on surfaces use towels to wrap and to make surfaces have more grip

Answer 12

small, fragile blood vessels - easily collapsed Sm V: lat saphenous and cephalic Lg V: jug and C. vena cava - sedation req Use insulin or tuberculin syringe

Answer 13

IV cath very difficult - use IO into greater trochanter of femur SQ fluids are more painful than in other species due to fat pad btw scapulae and little SQ space - will vocalize 50-100ml/kg BW/day - monitor for overhydration, most commonly use isotonic fluids

Answer 14

difficult to intubate - small and long/narrow oral cavity, mask down Only lasts for 2-4hrs, once in proper GA plane, need to swab out oral cavity stress can cause death so dec induction time and handling Rads - use sedation and positioning aids

Answer 15

mammalia, rodentia and family chinchillidae

Answer 16

incisors and molars grow continuously thru life very dense haircoat: may fur slip if frightened prod and ingest cecotrophs males have no true scrotim, just outpocketing of abdomen Females have 2 cervices and 2 uterine horns both sexes have 3 pairs of mammary glands and both sexes have large urinary papillae (can be confused for a penis) which can make sex determination difficult

Answer 17

weight: males 400-500g, females 400-600g Temp: 37-38C HR: 100-150bpm Lifespan: ~10yrs

Answer 18

malocclusion, jaw bascesses and GI problems Heat stroke - adapted to cool enviro and can't dissipate heat well Trauma common as very flightly/active and bones are long with thin/brittle cortext - fractured tibia most commo

Answer 19

very curious, quick, agile, good jumpers Need large cage w/ solid flood, hide box, diff lvls w/ jumping platforms, NO connective ladders btw lvls bc entanglement and injury, NO exercise balls bc stress and overheating CANNOT SWIM supervise all free time -bathrooms work well but watch your toilet Keep cage cool/dry area w/ NO direct sunlight 65-65F put at least 1 side against wall for safety NEED dust baths - use shallow bowl or pan they can run in/out of, offer 2-3/wk, buy dust substrate: newspaper or aspen shaving use pottery dishes for food - easy to clean, can't chew use water bottle - clean and change daily

Answer 20

handle gently bc fur slip support body w/ one hand around thorax, other supporting rump with 1 finger around tail can be lifted by tail if needed (may be better for frightened or less socialized patients, no fur slip) NEVER lift by ears, scruff, make a sudden grab use towel on table for grip

Answer 21

PO preferred over injections if inject - use quads (wet fur w/ warm water at site to prevent fur slip

Answer 22

veins difficult to accss use lat saph w/ 25G needle and tuberculin syringe collect max 0.5ml/100g BW can use jug, femoral vein or Cranial vena cava for larger volumes - all req sedation

Answer 23

Iv cath difficult to place SQ fluids 3-4ml IO: into femur, require sedation IP cavity: careful to avoid ascites

Answer 24

mask down, do not premed - causes muscle necrosis Only fast 2-4hrs (hypoglycemia risk otherwise) clean cheeks prior to GA difficult to intubate prone to hypothermia - provide heat source during GA and recovery wrap in towel during recovery to prevent them from bolting before fully recovered

Answer 25

cystocentesis, free catch or floor collection Rads: use sedation and positioning aides

Answer 26

clas smammalia order rodentia family cricetidae

Answer 27

several diff breeds nocturnal incisors and molars grow continuously thruout life hip/flank glands prominant in adult males (pigmented), can become infected, impacted or neoplastic females prod copious discharge after ovulation may hibernate at temps less than 5C (sometimes even 10-15C) distensible cheek pouches - can become impacted and develop tumors lifespan 1.5-2yrs

Answer 28

antibiotic associated enterotoxemia - overgrowth of clostridium difficile, same sensitivities to antibiotics as rabbits and guinea pigs, usually seen in adult hamsters Wet tail - young hamsters, proliferative enteropathy caused by lawsonia intracellularis, treat aggressively w/ fluids, antibiotics and force feeding

Answer 29

class mammalia order rodentia family muridae

Answer 30

adapted for a desert environment; req very little water incisors grow continuously thruout life, molars do not may slough tail if handled by tail (tail slip) box sexes have an orange/tan area of alopecia on ventral abdomen and a ventral marking glad (can become infected, neoplastic in older gerils) lifespan 3-4yrs

Answer 31

tail slip - if picked up by tail tip, skin will slough, req amputation because bone is exposed Sore nose: moist dermatitis - like due to inc in porphyrin secretions (dt stress) which acts as irritant - then 2nd infections occur Tumors: common, males(squamous cell carcinoma of ventral marking gland), females (ovarian granulosa cell tumors) head tilt - aural cholesteatoma (looks like polyp)

Answer 32

nocturnal fastidious in maintaining/arranging habitat (makes special area for sleeping, food storage and waste. Can place a litter box after they have designated a waste area, when cleaning cat, put things back as they were) live alone - can be very aggressive in pairs or groups. >80F will estivate

Answer 33

not nocturnal more social, need/enjoy companions monogamous, do not separate once bonded very playful and active enjoy small toys, tubes, hide boxes, several entrances to hide boxes

Answer 34

solid floors and sides w/ secure lids gerbils great jumpers, both will climb hamsters enjoy elaborate homes with tubes Provide hide boxes (hamsters only use if in sleeping area) cage clean weekly substrate: aspen shavings or recycled paper products (gerbils use a fine sand) water bottles that are cleaned and changed daily - gerbils drink less than hampsters rodent wheels on solid surface exercise balls - supervise

Answer 35

easily startled aggressive when startled or when first awake - gently prod from sleeping area to wake, wait to pick up until fully awake scoop into hand do not tolerate much handling before biting can scruff - empty cheek pouches first, include extra cheek in scruff, extended periods of scruffing can cause exopthalmosis due to pressure behind eyes

Answer 36

NEVER catch or restrain by tail very fast - often easier to catch by scooping into cup first can scruff - cheek skin not a problem like hamsters

Answer 37

blood: lat tail vein in gerbils, mask down first, arm tail or cloth to dilate vessels Cranial vena cava - risky, need full GA Injections by SQ or IP Fluid is difficult, hard to access veings, cannot give full volumes

Answer 38

meds: most meds are ELDU, hard to hid meds bc they're cautious eaters GA: mask for induction and maintenance, can converse syringe case Rads: use GA and tape/positioning aides

Answer 39

mammalia, rodentia, muridae

Answer 40

rats: incisors grow continuously, molars do not. Harderian glands behind eyes secrete porphyrins (tears look red) lifespan 2-3yrs Mice: incisors grow always, molars not. lifespan 1-2yrs

Answer 41

chronis resp dz - common, from mycoplasma pulmonis (also from streptococcus and corynebacterium), tx w/ antib - may kill organism, but body's response to mycoplasma cause resp damage. Antib may cause dec clinical signs but not cure dz mammary tumors: usually benign (fibroadenoma), grow VERY quickly, occurs in both genders, surgical removal usually curative Live/fur mites: common, scratching and fur loss, skin/scrape/scotch tape to dx red discharge from eyes/nose - porphyrin secretion inc w/ stress/underlying dz\

Answer 42

Mites: alopecia, pruritic w/ self trauma common (can scratch ears right off) may have underlying skin condition and not mites mammary tumors - almost always malignant (adenocarcinoma) and metastatic px por

Answer 43

rats: easily socialized, good with others, rarely bite, make better pets. Curious, intelligent, bruxism and boggling = signs of contentment MICE: more active and nervous, quicker to bite, do not allow much handling/interaction, aggression with others

Answer 44

good ventilation bc ammonia fumes solid floors, careful with wire sides for mice can use aquarium w/ fitted lid substrate: recycled paper or aspen shavings provide hide boxes, wheels, tubes (PVC pip, cardboard rolls) - good bc play in/on, chew on check/change water 2x/day bc rodents cannibalize when water runs out provide appropriate wood blocks for gnawing

Answer 45

pick up one hand then support w/ one hand around shoulders and one underneath never pick up by tail for potential painful procedure, hold in same manner w/ thumb under mandible and stretch them out slightly

Answer 46

will bite can pick up by base of tail and be placed onto a rough surface - only use tail for quick transfer (will bite own tail to escape), when sat down they will run, can scruff, wrap tail around little finger to control do not wear thick gloves and squish bc injury, suffocation and dropping

Answer 47

max 10% total blood V can be taken, average 70ml/kg BW used warmed lat tail veil use 23g needle w/ tuberculin syringe or heparin microhematocrit tube directly from needle, can use syringe case w/ breathing holes in the end to help w/ restrain (60cc for cats, 3cc for mice) injections give SQ or IP fluid therapy: 5 ml max fluids at one time

Answer 48

GA: mask down, can use a syringe case or place them completely inside a k9 mask, hypothermia is a concern, provide heat source during procedure Rads - need GA, may be able to use dental x-ray unit, use tape and positioning aids

Answer 49

mammalia, order eulipotyphla and family erinaceinae

Answer 50

nocturnal omnivores - mostly insectivores males - no scrotal sac; testes housed in perianal recess surrounded in fat very sensitive smell and hearing poor vision thick fibrous dermal layer under spiny skin - lots of fat, few blood vessels and slow absorption of SQ injections self anointing (wanting) - frothy saliva rubbed over spines - often in response to strong odors

Answer 51

 Weight – Male 400-600g; Female 300-600g  Temperature – 36-37.4C  HR - 180-280bmp  RR - 25-50/min  Lifespan – 4-6 years

Answer 52

tumors - common (30%), oral squamous cell carcinomas, mammary tumors, mast cell tumors Wobbly hedgehog syndrome - progressive paresis/paralysis, starts with hind end, thought to be genetic, axonal and spinal cord degeneration, no tx Mites - common in young animals, in older animals w/ new appearance of mites, look for underlying disease causing immunosuppression trauma to feet/legs - often get strings/hair/dental floss wrapped around feet/legs anesthetize to remove; if severe may require amputation

Answer 53

nocturnal, solitary "popcorning" curl into ball and hiss when upset anointing - if introduced w/ new smell/taste they will like it and hypersalivate - white, frothy spit and will use to paint or anoint their spines if handled young will be better high fall risk - poor eyesight and depth perception undemanding and easy to care for not known for chewing things

Answer 54

solid floods/sides good climbers and will scale wire cages Large floor space - if too small will cause behave issues like weaving, compulsive pacing and endless perimeter laps provide exercise wheel - ensure solid, provides mental and physical health benefits and helps with weight control substrate: aspen shavings or recycled paper products provide multiple, different hide boxes w/ PVC pipes, cardboard boxes, shredded paper/cloth keep enclosure away from direct sunlight, AC units and heating vents - will estivate does not hibernate

Answer 55

will stay curled up until no more perception of danger/annoyance wear leather gloves or use folded towel to protect hands use food to encourage unrolling - stroking spines causally can help them relax curl tighter with noise so keeping area quiet is important patience - never foice them open when unroll, can scruff or insert fingers at shoulder and wrap them underneath behind forelegs to prevent rolling can try placing in sink w/ after to encourage unrolling sometimes req GA to unroll

Answer 56

mask or chamber can use ET tube of 2 mm or less OR 14g catheter w/o the stylet hypothermia risk, provide heat meds/injections - SQ: give on right side below spine layer to avoid accidental puncture of spleen/kidney, lower on R side Spine layer slow absorption - thick fat w/ little blood supply IM: use quads PO: mix w/ fav food, inject into prey item, mix with joice

Answer 57

jug: hard to visualize but anatomically similar Vena Cava: sedation - heart more cranial Peripherals difficult bc short legs use 25G needle w/ tuberculin syringe to prevent laceration or collapse pre-heparinize syringe to prevent clotting rads - use GA and positioning aids