Hamsters

Question 1

What are the 2 types of hamsters?

Answer 1

Syrian/Golden hamster and Chinese/striped hamster

Question 2

What is the scientific name of the Syrian/Golden hamster?

Answer 2

Mesocricetus auratus

Question 3

What is the scientific name of the Chinese/Striped hamster?

Answer 3

Cricetulus griseus

Question 4

Do you house hamsters together?

Answer 4

No

Question 5

Which is bigger, the Golden or the Chinese hamster?

Answer 5

The Golden

Question 6

How long will hamsters hibernate if the environment is cool and quiet?

Answer 6

2-3 days

Question 7

How much can hamsters run on wheels?

Answer 7

5 miles/day

Question 8

Which hamster is used more in research?

Answer 8

Syrian/Golden

Question 9

How are Chinese hamsters used in research?

Answer 9

Type 1 juvenile diabetes and cytogenic studies b/c of low diploid number (22)

Question 10

How are both hamster types used in research?

Answer 10

Radiobiology

Question 11

Where are the scent glands located on hamsters?

Answer 11

Flank

Question 12

What environment did hamsters originate in?

Answer 12

Desert

Question 13

How long do the buccal pouches of hamsters reach in their bodies?

Answer 13

To the shoulder

Question 14

What is the hamster gestation?

Answer 14

15-16 days

Question 15

What glands do hamsters have behind their eyes?

Answer 15

Harderian glands

Question 16

Which dental disease are hamsters susceptible to?

Answer 16

Caries, or cavities/tooth decay

Question 17

What is the hamster estrous cycle?

Answer 17

4 days

Question 18

Do hamsters have lymph or salivary glands in their cheek pouches?

Answer 18

No

Question 19

How should hamsters be bred?

Answer 19

Only place female with male when breeding, and only 30 min max or the female will attack the male

Question 20

What is the lifespan of hamsters?

Answer 20

18 months to 2 years

Question 21

How long is hamster weaning?

Answer 21

21 days

Question 22

Hamster babies are born with what?

Answer 22

Full set of teeth

Question 23

How long do you not disturb a mother hamster?

Answer 23

10 days

Question 24

What are the housing requirements of hamsters?

Answer 24

Adult hamsters over 100 g need 19 sq in and cage height of 6 in

Question 25

What is the ideal ambient temperature for hamsters?

Answer 25

64-79 F

Question 26

What temperature causes hibernation?

Answer 26

Less than 5 C

Question 27

How often are hamster cages cleaned?

Answer 27

Weekly

Question 28

How much protein do hamsters need?

Answer 28

16%

Question 29

Hamsters eat their poop for B vitamins, what is that called?

Answer 29

Coprophagia

Question 30

Before restraining a hamster, what should you make sure you do?

Answer 30

Always be sure it's awake and aware of your presence,

Question 31

When a rodent is sick, what do you do with the temperature?

Answer 31

Raise it

Question 32

What is the max amount of blood you can take from a hamster?

Answer 32

0.5-1.2 ml

Question 33

What is the total blood volume of hamsters?

Answer 33

6.8-12 ml

Question 34

What are 2 ways to collect blood in hamsters in a clinical setting?

Answer 34

Jugular vein or lateral metatarsal vein under anesthesia, or clipped toenail

Question 35

How can blood be collected in hamsters in a lab setting?

Answer 35

Retro-orbital sinus

Question 36

Where are meds injected into hamsters and what size needles are used?

Answer 36

SQ between shoulder blades or IP | 23-27 G needle

Question 37

What is a good pre-med for hamsters?

Answer 37

Combo of Xylazine and Ketamine

Question 38

What is not recommended to do to hamsters before a surgery?

Answer 38

Fasting

Question 39

How is antibiotic associated Enterocolitis treated in hamsters? What does that disease cause?

Answer 39

Lactobacillus (in plain yogurt) supplements and fluids | Causes diarrhea, anorexia, dehydration, hemorrhagic ileocolitis on necropsy

Question 40

What is the most common spontaneous disease of hamsters? What bacteria causes it and how do they get it?

Answer 40

Wet tail Desulfovibrio spp Fecal oral route, stress of weaning, overcrowding, diet change or transportation. Usually affects young animals, high mortality

Question 41

What are signs of wet tail in hamsters? How is it treated?

Answer 41

Poor hair coat, diarrhea, dehydration, rectal prolapse | Poor prognosis, can try tetracycline

Question 42

What is the most common hamster disease? What does it cause?

Answer 42

Amyloidosis | Causes amyloid deposits in glomeruli of kidneys

Question 43

What are symptoms of Amyloidosis in hamsters?

Answer 43

Anorexia, poor hair coat, depression, renal failure with age, 85% of hamsters get it

Question 44

What does Staph cause in hamsters?

Answer 44

Lesions and dermatitis

Question 45

What is a zoonotic disease humans can get from hamsters? What does it cause?

Answer 45

Campylobacter jejunii, asymptomatic in hamsters | Causes diarrhea in humans

Question 46

What drug is used to treat demodex in hamsters?

Answer 46

Amitraz (Mitaban) | Not very common in hamsters

Question 47

What drug is used to treat dwarf tapeworms in hamsters? Is it zoonotic?

Answer 47

Praziquantel or Thiabendazole | Yes, highly zoonotic

Question 48

Where do tumors in hamsters frequently spawn from?

Answer 48

Endocrine system or alimentary canal

Question 49

What 3 drugs are used to treat pinworms in hamsters?

Answer 49

Ivermectin, Piperazine, Thiabendazole

Question 50

What can happen if the 16% protein requirement in the hamster diet is met?

Answer 50

They can have alopecia

Question 51

Why shouldn't mice and hamsters be housed together?

Answer 51

Mice can transmit Sendai and PVM (Pneumonia virus of mice) to hamsters

Question 52

Wood shavings cause what on hamster feet?

Answer 52

Foot lesions

Question 53

Why should amitraz (mitoban) be used with caution?

Answer 53

It's very toxic

Question 54

Are rodents omnivores or herbivores?

Answer 54

Omnivores

Question 55

Which antibiotic is contraindicated for hamsters?

Answer 55

Penicilin