Mammals Flashcards
What is the average lifespan of a rabbit?
6-8 years
When do rabbits reach sexual maturity?
Males @ 4-7 months
Females @ 4-9 months
Dwarf rabbits mature earlier
How long is a rabbits gestation, what are their young called and how many can be expected to be born?`
30-33 days with 6-12 kits/kittens born
How often to rabbits nurse their young?
Often just once daily for several minutes
How can you differentiate between sexes of rabbits?
A female has a diamond or V shaped vulvar orifice while the male has a circular preputial orifice
What can be done to reduce injection site reactions when vaccinating against calicivirus in rabbits?
Swap a new needle onto the syringe after drawing up but before injection. Inject into the subcutaneous and massage well afterwards
What are the clinical signs and post mortem findings of calicivirus?
Sudden death
Haemorrhage - nose, in lungs etc
Pale, enlarged, mottled
What is the incubation time of Calicivirus?`
3-4 days
What is the main clinical feature of myxomatosis infection in rabbits and what is the prognosis of this disease?
Generalised swelling including ears, eyelids, mouth and genital region. Is invariably fatal.
Why do we reccomend speying rabbits?
To prevent uterine adenocarcinomas, which is extremely common
Discuss dietary requirements of rabbits.
High fibre (>20%) Moderate protein (~15%) Low fat Must have an abrasive action on teeth Unlimited hay with varied vegetables (esp leafy greens) given is a complete diet. May give a small amount of high quality pellets eg Oxbow. Fruit may be given as a treat. Avoid mixes, cereals, grains, seeds and bread.
What are caecotrophs?
First pass faeces of rabbits which they re-eat.
Contrast ileus and bloat in rabbits. Touch on clinical signs, cause, treatment and prognosis.
Ileus may be subacute to chronic, the animal is often alert and responsive with a doughy feel to the caecum and stomach. The abdomen is not guarded. Stress and diet may predispose. Is common and treated with medical management - good prognosis.
Bloat is peracute and the animal is often very sick with a painful abdomen and a bloated stomach. Cause is intestinal obstruction. Is unusual/rate, treatment is surgical and prognosis is guarded/very poor
What is the main external parasite of rabbits causing skin disease and how may you treat?
Cheyletiella parasitovorax, selamectin
What is the ear mite of rabbits and how may you treat?
Psoroptes cuniculi, selamectin
Do not use ear drops
What are the two main differentials for a head tilt in a rabbit?
Encephalitozoon cuniculi or a middle/inner ear infection
How much should a guinea pig weigh?
700-1200g
When do guinea pigs reach sexual maturity?
Males @ 3-4 months
Females @ 2-3 months
What is the gestation length of a guinea pig, what are their young called and how many are expected to be born on average?
59-72 days, with normally 2-4 pups being born
If you wish to breed with a female guinea pig, what age would be advised and why?
Before one year so the pelvic symphysis can separate more easily
What is the average lifespan on a guinea pig?
5-6 years
How may you treat a case of pododermatitis in a guinea pig?
Flamazine ointment, chlorhexidine scrub and bandaging.
What are some clinical signs associated with Vitamin C deficiency in guinea pigs?
Poor appetite, swollen painful joints and dry, brittle skin/coat.
Why is speying of female guinea pigs recommended?
To prevent cystic ovaries
What may cause urethral stones in a guinea pig?
Mineral block supplements
How may you differentiate between sexes of guinea pigs?
Females have a Y shaped genital opening while males have more of an i shape.
How may you differential between sexes of mice and rats?
Males have a much larger distance between the genital opening and the anus
What weights are expected of a mature mouse and rat?
Mouse - 20-60 g
Rat - 200-500 g
What age do mice and rats reach sexual maturity?
6-8 weeks
What is the average lifespan of a mouse and a rat?
Mice - 1.5-2.5 years
Rats - 2.5-3.5 years
What is the gestation length of a mouse/rat and how many young are expected to be born?
20 days gestation, with and average of 8 mice born or 10 rats.
Discuss an ideal feeding plan for a mouse or rat?
Two bowls, one with a limited amount of pellets and one with a range of vegetables. Take care as they are prone to obesity.
What is the scientific name for ‘red tears’ and what is the cause?
Chromodacryorrhoea, stress
What are some differential diagnosis for a mammary tumour?
Skin tumours, traumatic wounds, zymbal gland abscess/neoplasia, ectoparasites etc
Why do we desex mice?
To decrease probability of developing mammary tumours
Are most tumors in mice and rats malignant or benign?
Mice - Often malignant, adenocarcinomas are the most common
Rats - Often benign, fibroadenomas are the most common
Would you be more likely to treat a tumour with surgery in a rat or a mouse?
A rat. A mouse with a tumour is more likely to have metastases and reoccurance.
What other neoplasia is linked to mammary tumours in rats?
Pituitary adenomas - neurological signs may be seen
Why is tamoxifen not reccomended for the treatment/prevention of mammary tumours in rats?
Shown to induce hepatic cancer in rats
Describe the treatment of chronic respiratory disease in mice and rats.
Aim for control as cure is unlikely. Doxycycline treatment long term is advised, +/- enrofloxacin (baytril), nebulisation and bronchodilators. Mucolytics are not advised. The animal may live for several more months
How much are ferrets expected to weigh?
Females 1kg, males 1-2kg
What is the average lifespan of a ferret?
6-8 years
What is the gestation length of a ferret and how many young are often produced?
42 days gestation and a litter size of ~8
What clinical signs can be expected from a ferret with Distemper virus?
Moist dermatitis around chin, lips and inguinal region. As pregresses may see respiratory signs, pyrexia and perhaps foot lesions. Death in invariable.
How can distemper be prevented?
Vaccination with C3 vaccine, refer to manufacturer for dosage
Discuss the diet of ferrets and what owners options are for feeding them.
Ferrets are obligate carnivores. Owners may opt for feeding premium dry kitten food, specific ferret dry food or whole animals. The food must be highly digestible, high protein and their should be some food that they need to chew to promote dental health - eg chicken necks.
Why do we spey female ferrets?
If intact and not bred, they may remain in a persistant heat which can lead to estrogen toxicity and hence alopecia, bone marrow suppression, anaemia and death.. Speying also reduces smell.
What is the preferred site for blood collection in the ferret?
The thoracic inlet whilst anaesthetised
What is a common presentation of sarcoptic mange in ferrets?
Dark brown encrustations of the feet and nail beds causing pain and difficulty walking
How may you treat sarcoptic mange in the ferret?
Selamectin at a higher dose rate is effective. Pain relief and bathing the encrustations off is also reccomended
How may ferrets become infected with influenza?
From humans which are sick with influenza
What clinical signs are seen in a ferret with an insulinoma and how may you diagnose it?
Ferrets may seem ‘drunk’ with weakness, incoordination, hypersalivation and a glazed look as well as collapse/coma. Diagnosis can be based on a serum glucose of less than 3.4 mmol/L.
How may insulinomas be treated in a ferret?
Surgery is the gold standard. Prednisolone and dietary control may help if opting to treat medically.
What heart diseases might you see in a ferret and how would you treat them?
Valvular heart disease and dilated cardiomyopathy are common. Treatment with frusemide, pimobendin and an ACE-inhibitor will help control disease.
What are ‘peg’ teeth?
The two smaller upper incisors
What are the two most common causes of acquired dental disease?
Poor diet and low access to sunlight/vitamin D
What categorises grade 1 dental disease?
Normal dentition. Occlusion of check teeth has zig zag appearance. Obvious enamel line on radiograph. Tooth roots of a normal length and teeth are not excessively curved.
What categorises grade 2 dental disease
Subclinical or mild clinical signs of dental disease. Root elongation, subtle mandibular swellings, early signs of tooth deterioration. Eye problems.
What categorises grade 3 dental disease?
Malocclusion, obvious clinical signs, progression. Tooth elongation, distorted growth, obvious deterioration in tooth quality. Rotation of teeth, presence of spurs, alveolar bone loss and widening of periodontal space.
What categorises grade 4 dental disease?
Major dental disease with cessation of tooth growth. Crowns may be broken off.
What categorises grade 5 dental disease?
End stage dental disease where abscesses are often present, along with osteomyelitis, broken crowns, reabsorbed roots. Remnant teeth may calcify and embed in surrounding bone
What is the dental formula of rats and mice?
I 1/1 C 0/0 P 0/0 M 3/3, 16 total
What is the dental formula of the ferret?
I 3/3 C 1/1 P 3/3 M 1/2, 34 total
What is the dental formula of a guinea pig?
I 1/1 C 0/0 P 1/1 M 3/3, 20 total
What is the dental formula of a rabbit?`
I 2/1 C 0/0 P 3/2 M 3/3
How may you reduce heat loss during small mammal surgery?
Minimal clipping and prep Bubble wrap Heat Pads Warmed air Hair Dryer Table lamp
What is one disadvantage with ferrets of simply ‘gasing him down”?
They retain jaw tone
What % of Oxygen should you avoid when giving oxygen therapy?
> 60% O2
What is the fluid rate of a guinea pig? A rat/mouse?
Guinea pig - 100mL/kg/day
Rats/Mice - 90-100 mL/kg/day
WARMED
Where would you inject peritoneal fluid in small mammals?
Lower right hand quadrant of the abdomen
