Hamsters Flashcards
A client brings in their pet hamster, a Syrian hamster (Mesocricetus auratus), reporting that it has a swollen, protruding eye. During the consultation, the hamster appears stressed and attempts to leap from the owner’s hand. Which of the following is the most likely cause of the eye protrusion?
- Exophthalmos due to improper scruffing during handling.
- Eye infection caused by living in a group with other Syrian hamsters.
- A natural behavior of nocturnal hamsters during daytime stress.
Exophthalmos due to improper scruffing during handling
1.
A client presents their Djungarian hamster (Phodopus sungorus) with a visibly moist and soiled tail region, along with lethargy and a lack of appetite. The owner mentions they recently moved the hamster’s cage to a colder room with poor ventilation.
What is the most likely diagnosis?
- Wet tail (proliferative ileitis) caused by stress from environmental changes.
- Respiratory infection due to the hamster’s scent glands becoming inflamed.
- Hibernation torpor triggered by cold temperatures.
- Wet tail (proliferative ileitis) caused by stress from environmental changes.
A client brings in their hamster, complaining that it has stopped eating its seed mix and is showing signs of weight loss. On examination, you notice overgrown incisors and mild pododermatitis. The owner admits the hamster’s cage has a wire bottom and that they have only been feeding a commercial seed-based diet.
What is the most likely cause of the hamster’s dental issue?
1. Temperature stress due to the cage being kept at 20°C (68°F).
2. Nutritional imbalance from a high-fat, seed-based diet lacking proper chewing materials.
3.Hibernation response triggered by protein deficiency.
- Nutritional imbalance from a high-fat, seed-based diet lacking proper chewing materials.
🐹 A Syrian hamster is brought to the clinic lethargic and dehydrated. The owner reports the hamster has been housed in a warm, humid environment with temperatures exceeding 85°F (29°C). The hamster has wet fur around the tail, diarrhea, and signs of severe dehydration.
❓ Question:
What is the best intervention for this hamster?
A. Administer subcutaneous fluids, correct environmental conditions, and provide supportive care.
B. Increase dietary sugar intake to compensate for energy loss.
C. Keep the hamster in a warmer environment to aid recovery.
Correct Answer: A - Proliferative ileitis (wet tail) is common in hamsters housed in hot, humid conditions. Providing fluids, adjusting temperature, and supportive care are essential for recovery.
A Djungarian hamster is brought to your clinic with a visibly swollen cheek and reluctance to eat. The owner reports the hamster has been hoarding sticky treats in its cheeks for several days. On examination, you notice a firm mass in the cheek pouch.
What is the most likely diagnosis?
1.Proliferative ileitis (“Wet Tail”) leading to facial edema.
2. Incisor malocclusion causing secondary cheek swelling.
3. Cheek pouch impaction due to food material accumulation.
- Cheek pouch impaction due to food material accumulation.
Clinical Case Question:
A client brings in their hamster, concerned that it has gained significant weight over the past few months. On examination, you observe an overweight Syrian hamster with a dull coat and slightly overgrown incisors. The owner reveals they have been feeding a diet primarily composed of a commercial seed mix and occasional fruit treats.
What is the most likely cause of the hamster’s weight gain?
1.Protein deficiency causing fluid retention and weight gain.
2. Obesity due to a high-fat, seed-based diet lacking proper balance.
3.Calcium deficiency resulting in fat accumulation.
- Obesity due to a high-fat, seed-based diet lacking proper balance
A 20-month-old Syrian hamster is brought to your clinic with a history of progressive weight loss, abdominal distension, and labored breathing. The owner reports that the hamster’s appetite has decreased over the past few weeks.
What is the most likely cause of these clinical signs?
- Cystitis causing abdominal swelling and respiratory distress.
- Renal disease leading to polyuria and dehydration.
- Hepatic cysts causing abdominal distension, weight loss, and dyspnea.
✅ Hepatic cysts causing abdominal distension, weight loss, and dyspnea.
A 20-month-old Syrian hamster presents with abdominal distension, weight loss, and dyspnea. You suspect hepatic cysts based on clinical signs.
Which of the following is the most appropriate next step for confirming the diagnosis?
- Initiate antibiotic therapy and monitor for improvement.
- Perform abdominal ultrasound and fine needle aspiration (FNA) for cytological analysis.
- Administer fluid therapy and schedule cyst excision without further imaging.
✅ Perform abdominal ultrasound and fine needle aspiration (FNA) for cytological analysis.
Clinical Case Question:
A 3-year-old male hamster presents with hematuria, lethargy, and decreased appetite. Physical examination reveals a distended abdomen and pain upon palpation of the bladder area. Radiographs confirm the presence of a large cystic calculus.
Which of the following is the most appropriate treatment option for this patient?
- Initiate antibiotic therapy and dietary modifications to dissolve the urolith.
- Perform percutaneous aspiration to remove the urolith.
- Schedule a surgical cystotomy to remove the urolith, followed by postoperative analgesia and supportive care.
Schedule a surgical cystotomy to remove the urolith, followed by postoperative analgesia and supportive care.
Clinical Case:
You are presented with a 20-month-old male golden hamster showing signs of lethargy and hematuria. Upon ultrasonographic examination, you observe wall thickening and hyperechoic fluid in the seminal vesicles. Based on previous literature and investigation, you suspect seminal vesiculitis
Question:
Which of the following statements is true regarding the management and diagnosis of seminal vesiculitis in this clinical case?
- Seminal vesiculitis should be considered as a differential diagnosis, and ultrasonography can aid in identifying diagnostic signs such as wall thickening and fluid accumulation.
- Antibiotic therapy alone is sufficient to cure seminal vesiculitis in golden hamsters.
- Seminal vesiculitis is a well-documented condition in golden hamsters, with established treatment protocols widely available.
Seminal vesiculitis should be considered as a differential diagnosis, and ultrasonography can aid in identifying diagnostic signs such as wall thickening and fluid accumulation.
Here is a question about a clinical case with one true statement and two false statements:
A 2-year-old Syrian hamster presents with lethargy, dyspnea, and reduced appetite. Radiographs and echocardiography confirm the diagnosis of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Which of the following treatments is most appropriate?
- Furosemide at 1-5 mg/kg SC, IM, or PO every 12-24 hours.
- Enalapril at 5-10 mg/kg PO every 12 hours. 3. Digoxin at 0.05-0.1 mg/kg PO every 12 hours.
- Furosemide at 1-5 mg/kg SC, IM, or PO every 12-24 hours.
Clinical Case Question: Cushing’s Disease in Hamsters 🏥
A 2-year-old Syrian hamster presents with polydipsia, polyuria, alopecia, and hyperpigmentation. A high plasma cortisol level is detected. Based on these findings, what is the most appropriate next step in management?
A. Initiate treatment with mitotane, as it is the most effective therapy.
B. Recommend dietary changes and monitor, as Cushing’s disease is self-limiting.
C. Consider metyrapone as a potential treatment option.
C. Consider metyrapone as a potential treatment option.
Clinical Case Question: Rodent Dermatology 🏥
A 2-year-old Syrian hamster presents with hair loss, crusting, and mild pruritus. A skin scraping reveals the presence of Demodex spp. What is the most appropriate treatment?
A. Administer ivermectin at 0.2-0.4 mg/kg SC every 7-14 days.
B. Prescribe mitotane for suspected hyperadrenocorticism.
C. Perform surgical excision, as this is likely a skin tumor.
A. Administer ivermectin at 0.2-0.4 mg/kg SC every 7-14 days.
Clinical Case Question: Abnormal Repetitive Behaviors and Self-Mutilation in Small Mammals 🏥
A 1.5-year-old male Syrian hamster presents with self-inflicted wounds on its forelimbs and excessive grooming, leading to patchy alopecia. The owner reports that the hamster frequently bites the cage bars and exhibits repetitive somersaulting. The hamster’s enclosure lacks an exercise wheel or chew toys, and it is housed alone in a small wire cage. A full physical exam and neurological assessment reveal no signs of infection, trauma, or systemic disease.
Which of the following represents the most appropriate multimodal treatment approach?
A. Initiate fluoxetine at 0.5–1.0 mg/kg PO q24h, introduce environmental enrichment, and address potential stressors.
B. Immediately administer gabapentin at 50 mg/kg PO q24h to control pain and consider surgical debridement of wounds.
C. House the hamster with another rodent to reduce stress and prescribe meloxicam at 5 mg/kg PO q24h.
A. Initiate fluoxetine at 0.5–1.0 mg/kg PO q24h, introduce environmental enrichment, and address potential stressors.
Clinical Case Question: Musculoskeletal Injuries in Small Mammals 🦴
A 2-year-old dwarf hamster is presented with acute non-weight-bearing lameness of the right hind limb after reportedly getting its leg caught in the cage bars. The limb appears swollen and is dangling abnormally. Radiographs confirm a severely displaced femoral fracture. The hamster is otherwise alert and eating normally.
What is the most appropriate course of treatment?
A. Provide strict cage rest and monitor for spontaneous healing.
B. Perform surgical stabilization with external coaptation or intramedullary pinning, or consider amputation if repair is not feasible.
C. Administer benzodiazepines as the primary treatment to reduce stress and pain.
B. Perform surgical stabilization with external coaptation or intramedullary pinning, or consider amputation if repair is not feasible.
Clinical Case Question: Chemotherapy Use in Syrian Hamsters with Epitheliotropic T-Cell Lymphoma 🧪🔬
A 1.5-year-old Syrian hamster presents with progressive alopecia, exfoliative erythroderma, and pruritus. A skin biopsy confirms epitheliotropic cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (ETCL). The owner is interested in potential treatment options. Based on recent case studies, what is the most appropriate management plan?
A. Administer a combination of chlorambucil (0.4 mg/kg PO q24h) and prednisolone (0.5–1 mg/kg PO q24h), with periodic bloodwork monitoring.
B. Initiate high-dose corticosteroids alone, as chemotherapy is ineffective in hamsters.
C. Perform surgical excision, as ETCL lesions are well-localized and do not require systemic therapy.
A. Administer a combination of chlorambucil (0.4 mg/kg PO q24h) and prednisolone (0.5–1 mg/kg PO q24h), with periodic bloodwork monitoring. ✅
Clinical Case Question: Ocular Conditions in Small Mammals 👁️
A 2-year-old Campbell’s hamster is presented with unilateral exophthalmos and purulent ocular discharge. The owner reports recent difficulty handling the hamster, and the eye appears swollen and protruding. Physical examination does not reveal systemic illness, but mild obesity is noted.
What is the most appropriate initial treatment approach?
A. Perform an ophthalmic wash, apply lubrication, and prescribe systemic and topical antibiotics.
B. Immediately enucleate the affected eye, as exophthalmos is irreversible.
C. Start corticosteroid therapy and monitor, as this is likely an immune-mediated condition.
A. Perform an ophthalmic wash, apply lubrication, and prescribe systemic and topical antibiotics. ✅
Clinical Case Question: Zoonotic Dermatoses in Hamsters 🦠
A pet hamster is presented with patchy hair loss, dandruff, and mild pruritus. The owner reports no recent changes in diet or environment, but the hamster was recently introduced to a new companion from a pet store. A skin scraping reveals the presence of Cheyletiella parasitovorax.
What is the most appropriate treatment plan?
A. Treat with itraconazole at 5-10 mg/kg PO q24h for 4 weeks, as this is a fungal infection.
B. Administer ivermectin at 0.2 mg/kg SC once a week for 3 weeks.
C. Prescribe selamectin at 6-12 mg/kg spot-on, repeated after 15 days, as scabies is the most likely cause.
B. Administer ivermectin at 0.2 mg/kg SC once a week for 3 weeks. ✅
Clinical Case Question: Pain Recognition and Management in Rodents 🩺
A researcher notices that a laboratory hamster has become less active, has stopped burrowing, and has a slightly hunched posture. The rat’s food and water intake have decreased, and its weight has dropped by 5% over the past week. No external injuries are visible, but the rat displays subtle grimace scale changes.
What is the most appropriate initial pain management approach?
A. Use local anesthetics like lidocaine or bupivacaine to treat suspected localized pain.
B. Start buprenorphine at 0.01–0.05 mg/kg SC q6–12h, as opioids are the first-line choice for mild pain.
C. Administer meloxicam at 0.2–1.0 mg/kg PO or SC q24h and provide supportive care, including a warm environment and easy access to food and water.
Administer meloxicam at 0.2–1.0 mg/kg PO or SC q24h and provide supportive care, including a warm environment and easy access to food and water.
Clinical Case Question: Multisystem Disease in a Geriatric Hamster 🏥
A 2.5-year-old Syrian hamster presents with weight loss, increased thirst, and occasional difficulty breathing. The owner reports that the hamster has become less active and has developed a distended abdomen. Physical examination reveals mild cyanosis, a palpable mid-abdominal mass, and labored respiration. Urinalysis shows significant proteinuria, while radiographs indicate cardiomegaly and a renal mass.
Based on the clinical findings, what is the most appropriate diagnostic and treatment approach?
A. Perform echocardiography and initiate diuretics and ACE inhibitors for suspected congestive heart failure, while monitoring for renal function decline.
B. Treat empirically with antibiotics and nebulization for suspected chronic respiratory disease (CRD) due to Mycoplasma spp.
C. Proceed with immediate nephrectomy for the renal mass, as chronic progressive nephropathy (CPN) is unlikely to contribute to systemic illness.
Perform echocardiography and initiate diuretics and ACE inhibitors for suspected congestive heart failure, while monitoring for renal function decline.
Clinical Case Question: Complex Infectious Disease in a Hamster 🦠
A 1.5-year-old Syrian hamster presents with progressive weight loss, intermittent diarrhea, and pruritic skin lesions. The owner reports recent exposure to another hamster from a pet store. Fecal analysis reveals Giardia cysts, while skin scraping confirms the presence of Demodex auratis. The hamster also shows mild respiratory distress, and auscultation detects crackles in the lungs.
What is the most appropriate treatment plan?
A.Start enrofloxacin (5-10 mg/kg SC q24h) and trimethoprim-sulfa (15 mg/kg PO q12h) for a possible bacterial respiratory infection; re-evaluate after 48 hours.
B. Administer ivermectin (0.2 mg/kg SC every 7 days) for demodicosis, metronidazole for giardiasis, and provide supportive care; assess for underlying immunosuppression
C. Focus on pain management with meloxicam (0.2-1.0 mg/kg PO/SC q24h) and avoid antiparasitic treatment until systemic stability improves.
Administer ivermectin (0.2 mg/kg SC every 7 days) for demodicosis, metronidazole for giardiasis, and provide supportive care; assess for underlying immunosuppression
Clinical Case Question: Pediatric Infectious Disease in Hamsters 🐹
A 4-week-old Syrian hamster presents with severe diarrhea, dehydration, and weight loss. The owner reports that the hamster has been lethargic and is hunched over in its cage. Fecal PCR testing confirms the presence of Lawsonia intracellularis. Despite supportive care, including subcutaneous fluids and nutritional support, the hamster’s condition continues to decline.
What is the most appropriate next step in treatment?
A. Initiate tetracycline (10-50 mg/kg PO q12h) and IV fluids for suspected Clostridium piliforme (Tyzzer’s disease).
B. Administer enrofloxacin (10 mg/kg PO q12h), continue fluid therapy, and provide high-calorie nutritional support.
C. Treat empirically with fenbendazole (20 mg/kg PO q24h for 5 days) to rule out pinworm infestation.
Administer enrofloxacin (10 mg/kg PO q12h), continue fluid therapy, and provide high-calorie nutritional support.
Clinical Case Question: Multisystemic Disease in a Geriatric Rodent 🐹
A 2.5-year-old male Syrian hamster presents with progressive weight loss, lethargy, and bilateral symmetric alopecia on the flanks and lateral thighs. The owner reports increased water consumption and urination over the past few months. On physical examination, the hamster has thin skin with mild hyperpigmentation and a slightly distended abdomen. Thoracic auscultation reveals a mild tachycardia with no audible murmurs. Abdominal ultrasound shows bilateral adrenal gland enlargement without evidence of mass lesions. Bloodwork reveals mild hyperglycemia, hypoalbuminemia, and an elevated ALP.
Given the clinical presentation, which of the following is the most likely underlying condition and most appropriate next step in management?
A.Hyperadrenocorticism; provide supportive care, as no consistently successful therapy has been reported in hamsters.
B. Dilated cardiomyopathy; initiate diuretics and cardiac medications to improve hemodynamic stability.
C.Lymphoma; perform a biopsy of the adrenal glands to confirm neoplastic infiltration before starting chemotherapy.
Hyperadrenocorticism; provide supportive care, as no consistently successful therapy has been reported in hamsters.
