Hystricomorph rodents

Question 1

What rodents are classed as hystricomorph? (3)

Answer 1

Guinea pigs
Chinchillas
Degus

Question 2

What type of diet do hystricomorph rodents need?

Answer 2

High fibre

Low succulent, low sugar

Question 3

Do hystricomorphs produce caecotrophs?

Answer 3

Not exactly - can produce caecal faeces but not proper caecotrophs as in rabbits

Question 4

What is typhilitis/typhilocolitis?

Answer 4

Caecal diarrhoea

Question 5

What causes typhilitis/typhilocolitis?

Answer 5

Infection
Mural (wall) lesions
Sudden dietary changes
(Severe cases endotoxaemia, septicaemia and shock - death)

Question 6

Is bloat important in hystricomorph rodents?

Answer 6

Yes - true emergency

Question 7

What are the clinical signs of bloat in hystricomorph rodents?

Answer 7

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

Question 8

How is bloat in hystricomorphs treated?

Answer 8

Surgery
Can be medical if no torsion
Simethicone - surfactant to make gas bubbles smaller and allow to pass
Aggressive care

Question 9

What bacteria causes severe pneumonia in guinea pigs (especially juveniles)?

Answer 9

Bordetella bronchiseptica

Question 10

Bordetella bronchiseptica causes severe pneumonia in juvenile guinea pigs, but is also associated with guinea pigs being housed with what other animal?

Answer 10

Rabbits

Commensal in nasopharynx

Question 11

What is a complication of Bordetella bronchiseptica in guinea pigs?

Answer 11

Can extend into middle/inner ear

Question 12

What virus is seen commonly with newly purchased guinea pigs?

Answer 12

Cavy adenovirus

Question 13

What clinical signs can be seen with purchased guinea pigs with cavy adenovirus?

Answer 13

May be asymptomatic and have low level of infection

Can cause severe pneumonia and death

Question 14

What is the treatment for cavy adenovirus?

Answer 14

Supportive care

Question 15

What is fur slip?

Answer 15

Defensive mechanism in chinchillas
Patches of fur lost during handling
No treatment required - grows back in months

Question 16

Fur rings are often found where in hystricomorph rodents? What do they cause? What is the treatment?

Answer 16

Base of penis, digits
Cause parpaphimosis/lack of blood supply, swelling, pain
Sedate and remove

Question 17

Ovarian cysts are common in which hystricomorph species?

Answer 17

Guinea pigs

Question 18

Ovarian cysts may not cause clinical signs, but they can. What signs may they cause?

Answer 18

Bilateral alopecia -non-pruritic

Can be large enough to impact breathing/GI function (anorexia)

Question 19

What are the 3 types of ovarian cysts in guinea pigs?

Answer 19

Luteal - most common
Follicular
Parovarian

Question 20

What is the most effective treatment for ovarian cysts?

Answer 20

Surgical removal/drainage

Question 21

Why are guinea pigs prone to scurvy?

Answer 21

Cannot synthesise vit C - reliant on dietary intake

10mg/kg/day - 3X if pregnancy/illness

Question 22

What are the clinical signs of scurvy?

Answer 22

Dental disease
Swollen joints
Lameness
Poor fur condition
Delayed wound healing

Question 23

What is the treatment for scurvy?

Answer 23

Supplementation

Not in water- decomposes rapidly

Question 24

What are risk factors for urolithiasis in guinea pigs (age, housing)?

Answer 24

Older guinea pigs

Housed indoors

Question 25

What is the treatment for uroliths in guinea pigs?

Answer 25

Surgical or medical

Recurrence common - address environmental issues