Hamsters

Question 1

Taxonomy

Answer 1

Order: Rodentia
Genus: Mescocricetus
Species: Auratus

Question 2

Cheek pouch

Answer 2

Invagination of the lateral buccal wall
High distensible, strat. squamous epith. , vascularized, rich in mast cells

Question 3

What is the cheek pouch used for?

Answer 3

Storing food, bedding, pups
Studies of inflammation, tumor growth, and vascular smooth muscle function, oral cancer development (humans)

Question 4

Function of the vomeronasal organ

Answer 4

Olfactory function and receptor for pheromones
Interruption to organ: deficits in sexual behavior

Question 5

Sebaceous Scent glands

Answer 5

Dermal structure located in the costovertebral region
Produces secretions in response to androgens (males)
Not as prominent in females

Question 6

Adrenal glands

Answer 6

Cortex secretes 1 degree cortisol
Males have more reticular cells in adrenal cortex and double the size of females (TUMORS)

Question 7

__________ site for venipuncture

Answer 7

Orbital venous sinus

Question 8

Harderian Glands

Answer 8

Site of immune response, source of thermoregulatory lipids and pheromones, photoprotective organ
Porphyrin (red tears) more in females

Question 9

Lifespan

Answer 9

~ 2 years

Question 10

Behavior

Answer 10

Nocturnal
Aggressive (females more than males)
Hiberation at temps (5 o celcius)

Question 11

Caging

Answer 11

Plastic shoe box with locking lid recommeded
Solid bottom for nesting female and young

Question 12

Vitamin E requirement

Answer 12

Prevents myocytolysis in cardiomyopathic hamsters
Reduces fatty streak accumulation in hypercholesteromis hamsters
Deficiency can result in fatal death

Question 13

Light intensity

Answer 13

323 lux

Question 14

Handling and restraint

Answer 14

Handled by cupping hands gently under or by picking it up in a small can

Question 15

Antibiotic Therapy

Answer 15

Be careful because antibiotics are associated with induced enterocolitis due to reduction of Gram + flora
Ex: penicillin, ampicillin, vancomycin, etc.

Question 16

Proliferative Enteritis

Answer 16

Clinical signs are increased morbidity/ morality, watery diarrhea with moist matted fur on tail and ventral abdomen, rectal prolapse

Question 17

Necropsy for hamster with Proliferative Enteritis

Answer 17

Gross: segmental thickening and congestion of ileum, enlarged mesenteric LNs, peritonitis and adhesions
Hpath: proliferative changes in ileum

Question 18

Pathogenesis for Proliferative Enteritis

Answer 18

Weanling susceptible but develop resistance @ 10 wks
Initial phase with hyperplasia–> inflammatory phase
Stress is predisposing factor

Question 19

Prevention/ control for Proliferative Enteritis

Answer 19

Separate hamsters with diarrhea
Tetracycline, enrofloxacin, TMS

Question 20

Tyzzer’s Disease

Answer 20

Clostridium piliforme
Spore forming intracellular bacteria
Rats, rabbits, gerbils, cats, dogs, horses, GPs

Question 21

Clinical signs and necropsy of Tyzzer’s Disease

Answer 21

CS: rough coat, diahhear, high mortality
N: enterocolitis, lymphadenitis, multifocal necrottizing hepatitis

Question 22

Clostridium difficile

Answer 22

Inappropriate antibiotic use- flora lactobacillus and bacteroides treated and it’ll grow
From stress, experimental manipulation, and environmental contamination

Question 23

CS of Clostridium difficile

Answer 23

Hemorrhagic enterocolitis
Animals may die asymptomatic
Hpath: typhlitis, colitis

Question 24

Pneumonia

Answer 24

Second more common disease in hamsters after diarrhea (pasteurella pneumotropica and streptococcus pneumoniae)
CS: Depression, anorexia, nasal and ocular discharge, chattering and respiratory distress

Question 25

Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus (LCMV)

Answer 25

Most common species to transmit to humans
Arenavirus
Transmitted by implantation of tumors containing viruses, direct contact of urine and saliva

Question 26

CS for Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus (LCMV)

Answer 26

Adults: acute, short term affection
Perinatally exposed: subclinical while shedding large amounts of virus
Congenitally or newborns: persistently infected and maybe chronic, fatal disease

Question 27

Hamter polyomavirus (HaPyV)

Answer 27

Virus harbored in renal tubular epithelium and sheds in urine
Causes lymphoma
Weight loss, dyspnea, dehydration, palpable masses on PE, nodules in cutis

Question 28

Hamster Parvovirus (HaPV)

Answer 28

Rodent Protoparvovirus (RPV-1)
Not a natural reservoir
Birth defects

Question 29

CS of Hamster Parvo

Answer 29

Adults- subclinical
Young- most susceptible, runted, incisor teeth abnormaility, domed cranium, small testicles and distended abdomen

Question 30

Protozoa

Answer 30

Spironucleus muris
Tritrichomonas muris
Giardia muris

Question 31

Cestodes

Answer 31

Rodentolepis nana “dwarf tapeworm”
Hooks on scolex, zoonosis, found in SI
Hymenolepis diminuta, R. microstoma

Question 32

Amyloidosis and associated nephrotic syndrome

Answer 32

Disease where soluble proteins polyemerize insoluble fibrils leading to morbidity and mortality
More in female
Liver, kidney, stomach, adrenals, thyroid and spleen

Question 33

CS for Amyloidosis and associated nephrotic syndrome

Answer 33

Nephrotic syndrome (6%)- SQ edema, ascites, hydrothorax; misshapen kidneys
Amyloid in glomeruli

Question 34

Polycystic disease

Answer 34

Common post mortem finding (76% in hamsters >1 yr. old)
Common site liver (alternative sites: cecum, kidneys, ovaries, spleen)

Question 35

Atrial Thrombosis

Answer 35

Common in aged hamsters (APA strain, females develop early)
Thrombi in left atrium

Question 36

CS for atrial thrombosis

Answer 36

Tachypnea, tachycardia, cyanosis, severe dyspnea, left sided HF, SQ edema, jelly hamsters

Question 37

Spontaneous Hemorrhagic Necrosis of the CNS of Fetal Hamsters

Answer 37

Occurs during last trimester
Reproduced by feeding diet deficient in Vitamin E Alleviated by Vitamin E supplementation