Misc. Small Mammals Flashcards
What are common types of trauma in chinchillas?
Fur slip and fractures from improper handling
Chinchillas come from how many founders?
12
How do you determine the sex of a chinchilla?
Females have a prominent papillary cone, males have a greater distance between their penis and anus
Describe the ideal environment/housing for a chinchilla
Solid bottom cage with bedding (pine shavings, cardboard, or paper), kept 68-75 F with <50% humidity. Provided a clean dust bath several times a week to daily. Fed high quality grass hay and alfalfa pellets.
Describe the notable anatomy of chinchillas
Have large auditory bullae and are prone to dental disease (indicated by slobbering). Can have tibial and radial fractures, fur slip, and degloving injuries.
How do you handle a chinchilla
Use as little restraint as possible, examine in clear plastic box and get RR before handling. Mask down if needed, can be medicated with midazolam, butorphanol, or buprenorphine
Where would you collect blood from a chinchilla?
Jugular vein (large volume), saphenous or cephalic veins (small volume), cephalic or jugular used for catheter, IO if necessary
Describe giving injections to a chinchilla
IM on epaxials or hind limb with max of 0.3mLs. SQ between shoulder blades or intraperitoneal if needed.
What are common problems for chinchillas?
Hair encircling penis, hair obstruction, external parasites, ocular irritation (from dust bath), infection (pseudomonas aeruginosa), pneumonia (from dust bath).
Can chinchillas vomit?
No
Describe dentition of chinchillas
Dental disease found in ~35% normal chinchillas. Apical elongation of molars is common. Teeth lack roots and grow continuously and have a long crown. Treat abscesses/disease with antibiotics (oral doxycycline and metro), feed thickened critical care. Use skull rads or CT scan for diagnoses.
What are Degus?
Hystricomorphic rodents that are diurnal and have good vision and are very social
Describe degu husbandry
Multi-level cage with solid bottom floor, waterbottle, guinea pig pellets and good quality grass hay. Restrict sugars. Practice coprophagy
Describe degu handling
Gentle- don’t hold by tail. Mask down or give midazolam or butorphanol. Examine in a clear box.
What disease are degus prone to? Why?
Diabetes mellitus- they have divergent insulin structure which makes them very sensitive to sugars. Can be treated with sugar-free diet
What is the common type of hedgehog? Where are they native to?
African pygmy hedgehog- native to England, Europe, Africa, Asia
Describe hedgehog husbandry
4ft of floor space with solid bottom and bedding that doesn’t get stuck in their quills. Keep out of direct sunlight and away from drafts, keep at 72-80 degrees F to avoid torpor. Feed insectivore pelleted diet + waxworms, superworms, crickets, cockroaches etc. NOT cat food
What is normal hedgehog behavior
Rolling into a ball, hissing when mad. Anoint themselves with saliva to attract mate or when stressed/mad (“anting”)
How do you handle a hedgehog?
Hold around the mantle, use gloves. Can’t roll up if obese! Can drip water on their back to get them to un-roll. Expect to need to mask down for full exam.
Where would you collect blood on a hedgehog?
Jugular vein, femoral, cephalic, saphenous.
Where would you inject drugs in a hedgehog?
IM- hind or forelimbs, SQ- between spines and furred area
What zoonoses might a hedgehog carry?
Trichophyton (ringworm)- may be asymptomatic or scaly with spine loss. Have been linked to Salmonella outbreaks.
What are differentials for a hedgehog losing quills?
Trichophyton (ringworm), mites (caparinia tripilis), bacterial or yeast infections, ascaris, normal shedding
What are differentials for a hedgehog with abnormal dentition or masses in its mouth?
Dental disease (esp. with soft inappropriate diet), herpesvirus, SCC
What are the most common kinds of cancer in the hedgehog?
Mammary adenocarcinoma, lymphoma, oral SCC
What symptom might you see of uterine neoplasia in a hedgehog?
Hematuria
What symptoms might you see of oral SCC in a hedgehog?
Bulging eyes, dental disease, facial mass
What are the most common type of cancer in Tenrecs?
Thyroid and liver carcinoma
Describe wobbly hedgehog syndrome
Progressive disease- uncoordinated and tetraparetic, can become unable to move (progression speed varies). No cure, treat with supportive care (meloxicam, supplemental food). Causes vacuolation of white matter of brain. Rule out other causes with CT/MRI.
What type of animal are sugar gliders?
Marsupials- nocturnal, active, territorial
Describe sugar glider husbandry
Vertically tall cages, provide hammocks/boxes, keep warm to avoid torpor. No good commercial diet so make your own (bugs + gums + saps + resins)
Describe sugar glider anatomy
Females have a pouch. Syndactyly of 2nd and 3rd toes + opposable thumb. Large cecum. males have scent gland in the middle of the top of their head. Bifurcated penises and vaginas.
How would you restrain a sugar glider?
Use a clear box to examine. Wear gloves (will bite). Keep door closed, very fast.
What medical concerns do sugar gliders present with?
Nutritional problems (metabolic bone disease, iron storage disease, encephalomalacia- hypovitaminosis E), trichyphyton, cataracts, dental disease, self-mutilation after surgery
