Hamster Diseases

Question 1

What is the etiology of proliferative ileitis (wet tail)

Answer 1

lawsonia intracellularis

Question 2

whats are the hosts of proliferative ileitis

Answer 2

17-30 day old hamster

Question 3

what are the predisposing factors for proliferative ileitis

Answer 3

shipping, crowding, improper diet, stress

Question 4

What are the clinical signs for the less acute version of proliferative ileitis

Answer 4

failure to gain weight. bloody diarrhea, prolapsed rectum, colon. can die from ileal obstruction, intussusception, peritonitis.

Question 5

what are the clinical signs for the acute version of proliferative ileitis

Answer 5

lethargy, matted coat hair, hunched, anorexia. watery diarrhea, emaciation, dehydration. high morbidity and mortality. death within 48hrs

Question 6

what is the treatment for proliferative ileitis

Answer 6

fluid PO, SQ. Bismuth Salicylate (pepto bismol 1-2ml PO), antibiotics (metronidazole, enrofloxacin, tetracycline)

Question 7

what is the etiology if clostridium enterotoxemia

Answer 7

clostridium sp (not piliforme)
especially clostridium difficile

Question 8

what are the hosts of clostridium enterotoxemia

Answer 8

hamsters, rabbits, guinea pig

Question 9

what is the pathogenesis of clostridium enterotoxemia

Answer 9

clinical signs: occur spontaneously or following the administration of antibiotics (penicillin).

Question 10

Describe clostridium infection that occurred spontaneously

Answer 10

reason unknown for colonization of colon by clostridia.

Question 11

describe clostridium infection following antibiotics

Answer 11

alteration of intestinal flora. overgrowth of clostridia. toxin producing. cause diarrhea, dehydration, rough hair coat, hunched, high mortality rate

Question 12

what are the other two diseases

Answer 12

bacterial pneumonia

tyzzers disease

Question 13

What is lymphocytic choriomeningitis

Answer 13

refer to mouse lecture

Question 14

what two endoparasites parasitize the hamster

Answer 14

pin worms : syphacia mesocriceti, obvelata and muris

Tapeworm: (direct: zoonosis): hymenolepis nana (direct) and diminuta (indirect)

Question 15

what ectoparasites parasitize the hamster

Answer 15

demodex

Question 16

how do you diagnose demodex

Answer 16

deep skin scraping

Question 17

is demodex contagious

Answer 17

no

Question 18

what are the clinical signs of demodex

Answer 18

rarely associated with clinical signs. no pruritis. dermatitis, alopecia (scaly skin, scabs) on back, rump. Secondary to malnutrition, systemic disease

Question 19

who is demodex more common in

Answer 19

males > 1.5yrs of age

Question 20

How do you treat an impaction of cheek pouches

Answer 20

remove materials inside, flush, antibiotic ointment

Question 21

Describe amyloidosis in hamsters

Answer 21

high incedence. female > male increase with age. Occurs in all organs, but with a predilection for kidneys. most common cause of death in old hamsters

Question 22

Describe polycystic disease in hamsters

Answer 22

congenital, cysts in liver, pancreas, epidydimis, seminal vessicals. doesn’t cause clinical signs.

Question 23

describe atrial thrombosis in hamsters

Answer 23

in older hamsters. causes severe dyspnea due to congestive heart failure