Neutering and Reproductive Disease in Small Mammals Flashcards
why do we always close rabbit spays with intradermal
they nibble their stiches and other rabbits do
What is different about rabbit uterus’ compared to dogs and cats
have 2 cervix
Where is the incision for rabbit ovariohysterectomy
between the umbilicus and pubic symphysis
What are the 3 different castration methods in small mammals
scrotal (open or closed)
pre-scrotal (open or closed)
abdominal
If you do a scrotal castration in a rabbit what must you do
close the inguinal canals - if open technique used
List 4 reasons why scrotal castration in rabbits is not the preferred method
inceases chance of:
- wound breakdown
- infection/abscessation
- scrotal haematoma/ self trauma
- gut stasis/ ileus
Why can you not perform pre-scrotal castration normally in some rodents
penis that is positioned cranial to the testicles
so would have to do 2 parallel incisions lateral to midline
List 4 reasons why pre-scrotal and abdominal casrations are preferred
one incision instead of 2
wound further away from ground so infection less likely
less sensitive to skin trauma
can suture the skin closed so you can avoid using itchy skin glue
List 8 common reproductive conditions in rabbits
Testicular neoplasia
Cryptorchidism
Scrotal trauma
Inguinal hernia
Uterine adenocarcinoma
Pregnancy toxaemia
Pseudopregnancy
Syphilis
what causes syphillis in rabbits
Treponema cuniculi
How is Syphilis spread in rabbits
copulation and close contact
What do you see with Syphilis in rabbits
Crusting lesions on the mucocutaneous junction of nose, lips, eyelids, genitalia and anus.
Lust 9 common conditions that affect guinea pig repro tract
Testicular neoplasia
Spermatic plugs
Inguinal hernia
Orchitis
Uterine and ovarian neoplasia
Uterine prolapse
Pregnancy toxaemia
Ovarian cysts
Dystocia
Describe how to diagnose ovarian cysts in guinea pigs
easily palpated on physical exam
confirm with ultrasound
List the clinical signs of ovarian cysts in guinea pigs
hair loss over flank without pruritis
pear shaped
behavious - mounting/ aggression
lethargy, reduce appetite, discomfort when handled
why do guinea pigs need to breed before 8 months of age
after 8 months the pubic symphysis will be unable to separate = dystocia.
what normally happens when guinea pig gives birth
In the last week of pregnancy
Relaxin from pituitary and endometrium causes fibrocartilage of the pubic symphysis to disintegrate = pubic symphysis widens to 3cm
What is the most common mammary tumour in guinea pigs
benign hyperplasia
what is the most common mammary tumour in rats
fibroadenoma
when is the ferret breeding season
march- september
what is important to know about ferret ovulation
are induced ovulators
50% of ferrets will remain in oestrus unless mated
what does prolonged oestrus in ferrets lead to
oestrogen-induced bone marrow toxicosis/hyperoestrogenism.
Results in pancytopaenia and eventually death.
List 5 clinical signs of ferret persisitent oestrus
Swollen vulva
Pale mucus membranes
Symmetrical bilateral alopecia of flanks and tail
Petechiae and/or ecchymoses
Lethargy and anorexia
what is different about ferret hyperadrenocorticism
HAC is related to sex hormones in ferrets
NOT cushings (no excess of glucocorticoids)
List 3 suspected causes of ferret hyperadrenocorticism
> 12hrs day light hours (indoor ferrets)
Early neutering (never seen in entire ferrets)*
Genetic component
Describe the mechanism that is thought to cause ferret hyperadrenocorticism
- Ferret sex hormones produced by gonads mostly , but also in adrenals
- when gonads removed, reduction in sex hormone production and -ve feedback removed
- More FSH/LF released and adrenals take over producing sex hormones
- Adrenal gland hyperplasia to produce more sex hormone
- Uncontrolled sex hormone production= Hyperadrenocorticism
List 5 clinical signs of ferret hyperadrenocorticism
Symmetrical/bilateral alopecia and ‘rat tail’
Vulvar swelling in neutered jills
Sexual behaviour in neutered hobs
Pruritus
Dysuria/urinary obstruction in males (prostate)
Mammary hyperplasia
Describe how GnRH agonist work when treating ferret hyperadrenocorticism
Pulse release GnRH over a long period of time.
This desensitises GnRH receptors on the pituitary so less FSH/LH is produced.
So temporarily the clinical signs may worsen before desensitisation occurs.
Describe the surgical treatment of ferret hyperadrenocorticism
Try and surgically remove adrenal gland- SOUNDS COMPLICATED AND HARD
Post-operative medical treatment for HAC required if partial adrenalectomy performed.
Decsribe how to treat ferret persistent oestrus
In early oestrus:
- stimulate ovulation-hCG- takes 10 days to work
- GnRH agonist implant e.g. Deslorelin- takes couple of weeks to work
For severe oestrus
May need blood transfusion
spay but must stabilise first and causes HAC risk
List 4 reproductive control options in ferrets
Keep females with a vasectomised hob to induce ovulation.
Leave entire and give a yearly ‘jill jab’ to bring females out of season (proligestone injections as soon as they come into heat).
Use the hormone implant to chemically neuter on its own (deslorelin).
Surgical spay???
List 3 reproductive control methods in male ferrets
Vasectomised hobs.
Use the hormone implant to chemically neuter.
Castration???
