Nursing Small Rodents Flashcards

1
Q

What are the two main groups of dental morphology in small rodents?

A

Hystricomorphs = open-rooted molars, e.g. guinea pigs, chinchillas, degus
Myomorphs = closed-rooted molars (e.g. rats, mice, hamsters, gerbils)
All rodents have continually growing incisors

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2
Q

What parameters can we monitor in small rodents?

A

Eating and drinking
Droppings
Weight
Respiratory rate

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3
Q

What considerations should we have for hospitalising rodents?

A

Keep away from predators
Prone to heat stress above 24 degrees C
Escape-proof enclosures
Suitable diet, bedding and hide areas

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4
Q

How can we take blood samples from rodents?

A

Tail vein
Lateral saphenous
Cranial vena cava
Max. 1ml/100g but safer to take 0.5ml/100g

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5
Q

How can we give medications to rodents?

A

Oral
Injection - subcut, IM, IV
Topical - shampoos, creams, parasiticides

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6
Q

How can we provide analgesia to rodents?

A

NSAIDs or opioids

Higher metabolic rates in small mammals mean they often require higher doses of drugs than dogs/cats

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7
Q

How can we administer fluid therapy to rodents?

A

Maintenance = 100ml/kg/day
IV access difficult
IO, subcut, oral, intra-peritoneal

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8
Q

What are some common medical problems for all rodents?

A
Mites
Bite wounds
Abscesses
Ringworm
Respiratory problems
Tumours
Fractures
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9
Q

What are some common medical problems in rats?

A

Respiratory infections

Mammary masses

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10
Q

What are some common medical problems in mice?

A

Not common in practice

Skin problems

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11
Q

What are some common medical problems in hamsters?

A
Overgrown incisors
Cheek pouch impaction
'Wet tail' - proliferative ileitis
Demodex
Epitheliotrophic lymphoma
Pyometra
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12
Q

What are some common medical problems in gerbils?

A

Nasal dermatitis
Ventral scent gland tumour
Tail slip (normal defence)
Epilepsy

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13
Q

What are some common medical problems in guinea pigs?

A
Dental disease
Mites
Scurvy (Hypovitaminosis C)
Urolithiasis
Pregnancy toxaemia
Pododermatitis
Cystic ovaries
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14
Q

What are some common medical problems in chinchillas?

A

Dental disease

Respiratory disease

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15
Q

What are some important anatomical/physiological considerations for ferrets?

A

Carnivorous
Compact muscular body with flexible spine
Generally similar to cat although different proportions
Anal scent glands - removal regarded as mutilation
Spleen can vary greatly in size

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16
Q

What can we assess in ferrets?

A

Should be alert and inquisitive
Pulse, respiration and MMs as in a cat
Rectal temp. only if concerned
Hydration - skin tenting and moistness of gums

17
Q

What considerations should we have for hospitalising ferrets?

A
Cat cages generally fine BUT escape artists! - fine mesh / Perspex front
Temp. below 30 degrees C
Keep away from prey species
Line cage with paper or vet bed
Something to hide under
18
Q

What nutrition can we provide to ferrets in hospital?

A

Try to keep on normal diet
Use similar bowls/water drinkers as at home
Feline critical care diets may be fed, e.g. Hills a/d
Oxbow carnivore care designed for ferrets
May become hypoglycaemic so prolonged fasting not recommended (max. 4hrs before surgery)

19
Q

How can we take blood samples in ferrets?

A

Jugular - very well-behaved/sedated
Lateral saphenous
Cephalic - esp. catheters
Cranial vena cava - under GA

20
Q

How can we administer medications to ferrets?

A

Injection - subcut, IM, IV

Oral - tablets or suspension

21
Q

What analgesia can we provide for ferrets?

A

NSAIDs (prone to gastric ulceration so consider GI protectants)
Opioids - used at similar doses to dogs/cats

22
Q

How can we administer fluid therapy to ferrets?

A

Oral, subcut, intra-peritoneal, IV

Maintenance = 100ml/kg/day

23
Q

What are some common medical problems in ferrets?

A
Persistent oestrus
Adrenal disease
Lymphoma
Insulinoma
Inflammatory bowel disease
Dental disease
24
Q

What viruses can ferrets suffer from?

A

Influenza - may pass from owner to ferret
Distemper - no vaccines licensed for ferrets in UK
Aleutian disease

25
Q

What are some common medical problems in African Pygmy hedgehogs?

A

Dental disease
Obesity
Wobbly hedgehog syndrome
Renal disease