Pocket Pet Medicine Flashcards
What suborder do rats and mice belong to?
myomorpha
How many toes do rats and mice have?
5
are rats and mice nocturnal?
yes
where is the harderian gland that produces porphyrin present in rats and mice?
in the orbit around both eyes
how can you sex rats and mice?
anogenital distance
longer in males
how many mammary glands do rats have vs mice?
rats - 6 pairs
mice - 5 pairs
what is the average lifespan of rats vs mice?
rats – 2-3 yr
mice – 1.5-3 yr
T/F: you should have feed available ad libitum for rats and mice
true
T/F: rats and mice are generally great pets for small children because they have gentle, docile personalities
false – they bite :/
what disease does Sendai Virus (murine parainfluenza virus type 1) cause in juvenile mice?
respiratory problems
pnuemonia
stunting
high mortality
A client presents to your clinic with a mouse that is lethargic, anorexic, has lost weight, and has a rough coat. You diagnose this patient with lymphocytic choriomeningitis. This virus is spread in urine, dropping, saliva, and contaminated nesting material. Is this virus zoonotic?
yes
What intestinal disease in rats is cause by clostridium piliforme, c. perfringens, and c. difficile? It is characterized by weight loss, perineal staining, diarrhea, and rapid death.
tyzzers disease
what is the transmission of tyzzers disease?
fecal oral
is tyzzers disease zoonotic?
yes
What highly contagious coronaviral disease of rats causes dry eye, no saliva, and weight loss?
sialocryoadenitis virus (SDAV)
What is the most common mammary tumor type in rats and mice?
fibroadenoma
what is the treatment for mammary tumors in mice and rats?
surgical removal
but they do tend to reoccur
what are dental problems in mice and rats most commonly caused by? (4 things)
soft diets or calcium-deficient diets
fractures of jaw or other trauma
what is the treatment for dental problems in mice and rats?
clip or trim abnormal incisors and correct diet.
what suborder is a hamster?
myomorpha
what is the lifespan of most hamsters?
2-3 years
T/F: hamsters have a large cecum which affects which antibiotics we are able to use in the treatment of bacterial infections because if the antibiotics kill off the normal flora, the hamster will suffer severe diarrhea
true
why are hamsters aggressive when you wake them up?
because they are deep sleepers.
what does it mean to say hamsters have “crepuscular activity”?
they are active at dusk and dawn
T/F: hamster cheeks are used transport food and can be everted
true
what is the typical hamster diet?
they are omnivorous, so they eat veggies, seeds, fruits, and meat.
how do you sex hamsters?
anogenital distance
greater in males
what bacterial organism causes Proliferative Ileitis (wet tail) in hamsters?
clostridium difficile + others
what are the symptoms of proliferative ileitis (wet tail) in hamsters?
lethargy, anorexia, ruffled coat, typhilitis, diarrhea, dehydration, death
what situations can cause proliferative ileitis in hamsters?
post-antibitoic therapy
stress
poor diet
recently weaned (Stress)
The transmission of the organism that causes proliferative ileitis in hamsters is fecal oral. Is this pathogen zoonotic?
yes
What are the 2 most common bacterial isolates for hamster pneumonia?
pasteurella pneumotropica
streptococcus pneumoniae
can you treat pneumonia in hamsters?
yes, but be careful about which antibiotic you choose because we do not want to cause ileitis
is hamster pneumonia zoonotic?
yes
A hamster presents to your clinic with anorexia and weight loss. you notice that this hamster has bloody diarrhea and is significantly dehydrated. The owner claims they have other hamsters with similar symptoms that developed yesterday and when he woke up this morning, they were dead. What condition does this sound like? (hint: it is NOT wet tail)
Tyzzers Disease
T/F: hamsters can get lymphocytic choriomeningitis in addition to mice, however they may or may not show clinical signs.
true
what suborder are gerbils a part of?
myomorpha
what is the lifespan of gerbils?
3-4 years
what is the most desirable aspect of gerbils to owners looking to adopt?
their urine output is small and bedding does not need to be changed as often
T/F: hamster and gerbil cheek pouches are evertable
false – only hamster.
T/F: gerbils are gregarous and will be stressed if they are alone
true
What behavior in gerbils and rabbits is considered a sign of aggression or excitement?
foot stomping
how do we sex gerbils?
anogenital distance
greater in males
what is the typical diet of gerbils?
they are granivorous and omnivorous
you should avoid total seed-based diets (bc they are low in calcium)
T/F: no viral diseases have been identified in gerbils
true
What causes nasal dermatitis in gerbils?
stress, irritation from porphyrin secretion on nose and face
sometimes a secondary bacterial infection with staph aureus is present
what is the best treatment for nasal dermatitis in gerbils?
remove the stressors
clean face daily
+/- topical ophthalmic ointment
T/F: gerbils carry clostridium piliforme subclinically in their intestinal tract
true
What effect does tyzzers disease (c. piliforme) have on postpartum and young, recently-weaned gerbils?
high mortality
salmonellosis is most common in what age group of gerbils?
juveniles (3-6 weeks)
T/F: salmonellosis in gerbils can manifest as systemic disease such as hepatitis and peritonitis
true
T/F: antibiotic treatment for salmonellosis in gerbils is unrewarding
true
what is the treatment for tail degloving in gerbils?
amputation
what suborder do guinea pigs belong to?
hystricomorpha
what are the 3 major differences between hystricomorphas (guineas, chinchillas, nutria) and myomorphas (hammies, gerbils, rats, mice)?
- hystrico. have longer gestation periods
- hystrico. produces precocious offspring
- hystrico. have cellular membrane that closes over vaginal opening except during estrus and at parturition
Do guinea pigs have tails?
no
what makes oral examination difficult for guinea pigs and rabbits?
mouth does not open very wide
why are guinea pigs sensitive to antibiotics?
they have a large cecum (similar to hamsters)
Describe appropriate handling of guinea pigs
support chest and rear quarters
do NOT hold animal by scruff of neck (their bodies are really heavy)
what is the lifespan of guinea pigs?
5-7 years
what is unique about guinea pig urine?
it is thick and cloudy and has a pH of 9
what is typical/normal guinea pig behavior?
very vocal and social
freeze when hear sounds
run in response to motion
suspicious of new stuff
rigid habits!!! does NOT like change (est. food pref early in life)
what is the diet of a guinea pig?
herbivorous
they require vitamin C in their diet.
resistant to change in foods
Why are wire cage bottoms not appropriate for guinea pigs?
can cause pododermatitis as well as leg and toe injuries
what are UNacceptable bedding options for guinea pigs?
cedar and sawdust
how do you sex guinea pigs?
digital pressure to extrude penis in males
female has a “Y” shaped opening
anogenital distance is NOT appropriate with this species.
why must a guinea pig be bred and deliver her first litter prior to 6-8 months of age?
the female pubic symphysis relaxes and separates prior to parturition to increase the diameter of the birth canal
if she never gets pregnant and gives birth, this will not occur. if this process does not occur, this will result in PERMANENT fusion of the pubic symphysis and future dystocia.
What are the 2 bacterial pathogens that are involved in respiratory disease of guinea pigs (predominately young or stressed guineas)?
bordetella bronchiseptica
streptococcus pneumonia
what the transmission of bordetella bronchiseptica and
streptococcus pneumonia causing respiratory disease in guinea pigs? (3 routes)
direct contact
aerosol
fomites
What causes scurvy in guinea pigs?
scurvy is a condition characterized by respiratory disease, malocclusion, diarrhea, pododermatitis, lameness, enlarged long bone junctions, and joint stiffness
vitamin C deficiency causes impaired collagen synthesis
What is the primary etiology of antibiotic associated enterotoxemia in guinea pigs, a condition characterized by anorexia, diarrhea, dehydration, hypothermia, and sudden death?
clostridium difficile
proliferates when normal GI flora is disrupted (d/t antibiotics)
how do you treat antibiotic associated enterotoxemia in guinea pigs?
reestablish GI flora – lactobacillus, transfaunation
supportive care (fluids, food)
do guinea pigs get salmonella?
yes – salmonella typhimurium and salmonella enteritidis through fecal-oral or conjunctival routes.
mostly GI signs, but supportive care and safe antibiotics are recommended for treatment.
what bacterial pathogen causes cervical lymphadenitis in guinea pigs?
this condition is characterized by SQ cervical masses with yellow-white exudate
streptococcus zooepidemicus
(which is normal flora of the conjunctiva and nasal cavity)
how do you treat cervical lymphadenitis in guinea pigs?
lance and flush
or surgical excision
is the pathogen involved in cervical lymphadenitis of guinea pigs considered to be zoonotic?
yes
what order are rabbits a part of?
lagomorph
T/F: rabbits have very heavy skeletons, so you should be careful when handling them for this reason.
false – their skeletons are light.
still be careful handling but mostly because they will jump
are rabbits as sensitive to antibiotics as hamsters and guinea pigs?
yes
they are hindgut fermenters with large cecums
what is the lifespan of rabbits?
6-15 years
why do rabbits exhibit thumping behavior?
stress
how should you handle a rabbit appropriately?
scoop up, cradle, or place in bunny burrito
What type of diet do rabbits require?
high-fiber diet (>18%)
What type of diet do rabbits require?
high-fiber diet (>18%)
what bacterial pathogen causes snuffles in rabbits?
a condition that causes either respiratory illness or inner ear issues
pasteurella multocida
is the pathogen involved in snuffles zoonotic?
yes
T/F: young rabbits are asymptomatic carriers of pasteurella multocida
false – adults
young rabbits die of septicemia
what causes “slobbers” in rabbits?
a condition characterized by difficulty eating, problems grooming, slobbering, losing weight, lateral tongue ulcers, trauma to inner cheek
malocclusion
how can you prevent slobbers in rabbits?
feed timothy hay to encourage the use of their molars
trim teeth
T/F: you need to provide rabbits with chewing toys so that you can prevent malocclusion
false – the teeth wear by grinding against one another NOT by chewing on materials.
What causes GI stasis in rabbits?
a condition characterized by anorexia, decreased pellet production, thick doughy gastric contents, and impaction
stress, low fiber diet, inadequate water consumption
how do you treat GI stasis in rabbits?
correct cause
rehydrate
offer greens
A rabbit presents to your clinic with a swelling on the back of its neck. There is a small hole within the swelling and you see a larval worm of some sort. What is your diagnosis?
cuterebriasis
(larval stage of bot fly)
how do you treat cuterebriasis in rabbits?
remove larvae (whole if possible)
flush wound
antibiotics if debilitated
limit access to outdoors
A rabbit presents to your clinic with a scaly circular area of hair loss on its face. What is your presumptive diagnosis?
dermatophytosis (fungal infection aka ringworm)
is dermatophytosis zoonotic?
yes
what is the name of the non-burrowing skin mite of rabbits that causes moderate hair loss and scaly skin. It is transmitted by contact and is considered zoonotic.
cheyletiella parasitovorax
What order are ferrets a part of?
carnivora
what are the 2 basic color types of ferrets?
albino
fitch
what is the lifespan of ferrets?
5-8 years
What is the reason ferrets smell so bad?
they have very large anal glands
T/F: ferrets require only 9 hours of sleep a day similar to humans
false – they sleep 16-18 hours per day
why are ferrets prone to Foreign bodies?
they chew on and swallow everything
describe the diet of ferrets
strictly carnivores
they require high-calorie, high-protein, low-fiber diet
T/F: it is ok to give a ferret cat food but never dog food.
true – dog food has too much CHOs
how often should you bathe a ferret?
no more than once every 3-4 weeks.
bathing does NOT rid the smell
what neoplasia is most common in ferrets 4-5 years old and causes mental dullness, tremors, seizures, collapse, tachycardia, hypothermia, and posterior paresis?
insulinoma of islet cell and beta cell
what condition is most common in middle aged ferrets and causes progressive alopecia, vulvar swelling, return of male sexular behavior, and pruritis?
adrenal disease (hyperadrenocorticism)
what are the 2 distinct clinical manifestations of lymphoma in ferrets?
young ferrets – acute
old ferrets – chronic
A ferret presents to your clinic with anorexia, mucupurulent naso-ocular discharge, rashes, hyperkeratotic feet, fever, and CNS signs. It dies while at your clinic. What is the diagnosis?
distemper (paramyxovirus)
treatment would have been unsuccessful anyways
what is the most well-documented zoonotic disease in ferrets?
influenza
