Nursing Small Rodents

Question 1

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

Answer 1

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

Question 2

What parameters can we monitor in small rodents?

Answer 2

Eating and drinking
Droppings
Weight
Respiratory rate

Question 3

What considerations should we have for hospitalising rodents?

Answer 3

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

Question 4

How can we take blood samples from rodents?

Answer 4

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

Question 5

How can we give medications to rodents?

Answer 5

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

Question 6

How can we provide analgesia to rodents?

Answer 6

NSAIDs or opioids

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

Question 7

How can we administer fluid therapy to rodents?

Answer 7

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

Question 8

What are some common medical problems for all rodents?

Answer 8

Mites
Bite wounds
Abscesses
Ringworm
Respiratory problems
Tumours
Fractures

Question 9

What are some common medical problems in rats?

Answer 9

Respiratory infections

Mammary masses

Question 10

What are some common medical problems in mice?

Answer 10

Not common in practice

Skin problems

Question 11

What are some common medical problems in hamsters?

Answer 11

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

Question 12

What are some common medical problems in gerbils?

Answer 12

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

Question 13

What are some common medical problems in guinea pigs?

Answer 13

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

Question 14

What are some common medical problems in chinchillas?

Answer 14

Dental disease

Respiratory disease

Question 15

What are some important anatomical/physiological considerations for ferrets?

Answer 15

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

Question 16

What can we assess in ferrets?

Answer 16

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

Question 17

What considerations should we have for hospitalising ferrets?

Answer 17

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

Question 18

What nutrition can we provide to ferrets in hospital?

Answer 18

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)

Question 19

How can we take blood samples in ferrets?

Answer 19

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

Question 20

How can we administer medications to ferrets?

Answer 20

Injection - subcut, IM, IV

Oral - tablets or suspension

Question 21

What analgesia can we provide for ferrets?

Answer 21

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

Question 22

How can we administer fluid therapy to ferrets?

Answer 22

Oral, subcut, intra-peritoneal, IV

Maintenance = 100ml/kg/day

Question 23

What are some common medical problems in ferrets?

Answer 23

Persistent oestrus
Adrenal disease
Lymphoma
Insulinoma
Inflammatory bowel disease
Dental disease

Question 24

What viruses can ferrets suffer from?

Answer 24

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

Question 25

What are some common medical problems in African Pygmy hedgehogs?

Answer 25

Dental disease
Obesity
Wobbly hedgehog syndrome
Renal disease