Nursing Small Rodents Flashcards
What are the two main groups of dental morphology in small rodents?
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
What parameters can we monitor in small rodents?
Eating and drinking
Droppings
Weight
Respiratory rate
What considerations should we have for hospitalising rodents?
Keep away from predators
Prone to heat stress above 24 degrees C
Escape-proof enclosures
Suitable diet, bedding and hide areas
How can we take blood samples from rodents?
Tail vein
Lateral saphenous
Cranial vena cava
Max. 1ml/100g but safer to take 0.5ml/100g
How can we give medications to rodents?
Oral
Injection - subcut, IM, IV
Topical - shampoos, creams, parasiticides
How can we provide analgesia to rodents?
NSAIDs or opioids
Higher metabolic rates in small mammals mean they often require higher doses of drugs than dogs/cats
How can we administer fluid therapy to rodents?
Maintenance = 100ml/kg/day
IV access difficult
IO, subcut, oral, intra-peritoneal
What are some common medical problems for all rodents?
Mites Bite wounds Abscesses Ringworm Respiratory problems Tumours Fractures
What are some common medical problems in rats?
Respiratory infections
Mammary masses
What are some common medical problems in mice?
Not common in practice
Skin problems
What are some common medical problems in hamsters?
Overgrown incisors Cheek pouch impaction 'Wet tail' - proliferative ileitis Demodex Epitheliotrophic lymphoma Pyometra
What are some common medical problems in gerbils?
Nasal dermatitis
Ventral scent gland tumour
Tail slip (normal defence)
Epilepsy
What are some common medical problems in guinea pigs?
Dental disease Mites Scurvy (Hypovitaminosis C) Urolithiasis Pregnancy toxaemia Pododermatitis Cystic ovaries
What are some common medical problems in chinchillas?
Dental disease
Respiratory disease
What are some important anatomical/physiological considerations for ferrets?
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
What can we assess in ferrets?
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
What considerations should we have for hospitalising ferrets?
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
What nutrition can we provide to ferrets in hospital?
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)
How can we take blood samples in ferrets?
Jugular - very well-behaved/sedated
Lateral saphenous
Cephalic - esp. catheters
Cranial vena cava - under GA
How can we administer medications to ferrets?
Injection - subcut, IM, IV
Oral - tablets or suspension
What analgesia can we provide for ferrets?
NSAIDs (prone to gastric ulceration so consider GI protectants)
Opioids - used at similar doses to dogs/cats
How can we administer fluid therapy to ferrets?
Oral, subcut, intra-peritoneal, IV
Maintenance = 100ml/kg/day
What are some common medical problems in ferrets?
Persistent oestrus Adrenal disease Lymphoma Insulinoma Inflammatory bowel disease Dental disease
What viruses can ferrets suffer from?
Influenza - may pass from owner to ferret
Distemper - no vaccines licensed for ferrets in UK
Aleutian disease
What are some common medical problems in African Pygmy hedgehogs?
Dental disease
Obesity
Wobbly hedgehog syndrome
Renal disease
