Hystricomorph rodents Flashcards
What rodents are classed as hystricomorph? (3)
Guinea pigs
Chinchillas
Degus
What type of diet do hystricomorph rodents need?
High fibre
Low succulent, low sugar
Do hystricomorphs produce caecotrophs?
Not exactly - can produce caecal faeces but not proper caecotrophs as in rabbits
What is typhilitis/typhilocolitis?
Caecal diarrhoea
What causes typhilitis/typhilocolitis?
Infection
Mural (wall) lesions
Sudden dietary changes
(Severe cases endotoxaemia, septicaemia and shock - death)
Is bloat important in hystricomorph rodents?
Yes - true emergency
What are the clinical signs of bloat in hystricomorph rodents?
Hunched posture
Metabolic/fluid/electrolyte balance due to GI stasis
Pain
Dilation of hollow viscus impedes blood supply - haemodynamic changes
Size of dilated gut impedes breathing
How is bloat in hystricomorphs treated?
Surgery
Can be medical if no torsion
Simethicone - surfactant to make gas bubbles smaller and allow to pass
Aggressive care
What bacteria causes severe pneumonia in guinea pigs (especially juveniles)?
Bordetella bronchiseptica
Bordetella bronchiseptica causes severe pneumonia in juvenile guinea pigs, but is also associated with guinea pigs being housed with what other animal?
Rabbits
Commensal in nasopharynx
What is a complication of Bordetella bronchiseptica in guinea pigs?
Can extend into middle/inner ear
What virus is seen commonly with newly purchased guinea pigs?
Cavy adenovirus
What clinical signs can be seen with purchased guinea pigs with cavy adenovirus?
May be asymptomatic and have low level of infection
Can cause severe pneumonia and death
What is the treatment for cavy adenovirus?
Supportive care
What is fur slip?
Defensive mechanism in chinchillas
Patches of fur lost during handling
No treatment required - grows back in months
Fur rings are often found where in hystricomorph rodents? What do they cause? What is the treatment?
Base of penis, digits
Cause parpaphimosis/lack of blood supply, swelling, pain
Sedate and remove
Ovarian cysts are common in which hystricomorph species?
Guinea pigs
Ovarian cysts may not cause clinical signs, but they can. What signs may they cause?
Bilateral alopecia -non-pruritic
Can be large enough to impact breathing/GI function (anorexia)
What are the 3 types of ovarian cysts in guinea pigs?
Luteal - most common
Follicular
Parovarian
What is the most effective treatment for ovarian cysts?
Surgical removal/drainage
Why are guinea pigs prone to scurvy?
Cannot synthesise vit C - reliant on dietary intake
10mg/kg/day - 3X if pregnancy/illness
What are the clinical signs of scurvy?
Dental disease Swollen joints Lameness Poor fur condition Delayed wound healing
What is the treatment for scurvy?
Supplementation
Not in water- decomposes rapidly
What are risk factors for urolithiasis in guinea pigs (age, housing)?
Older guinea pigs
Housed indoors
What is the treatment for uroliths in guinea pigs?
Surgical or medical
Recurrence common - address environmental issues
