Rabbits & Rodents

Question 1

when collecting samples, safe volumes are typically ___ of the body weight.

Answer 1

1%

Question 2

which species has a longer prothrombin time? why is this important?

Answer 2

guinea pigs
takes longer to form a clot, so have to hold down on injection site for longer

Question 3

what is important to know about handling guinea pig bladders?

Answer 3

slight manipulation of bladder can result in iatrogenic hematuria

Question 4

what is antibiotic associated enterotoxemia (why does it occur, what causes it, what are the C/S)?

Answer 4

rabbits & rodents have primarily gram + digestive flora, and the gut is highly sensitive to any antibiotic that can reduce/eradicate normal flora

absence of normal flora can result in an overgrowth of Clostridium difficile –> produces fatal enterotoxin

C/S: diarrhea, depression, death

Question 5

how can you avoid antibiotic associated enterotoxemia in rabbits and rodents?

Answer 5

avoid use of oral penicillins, cephalosporins, macrolides, including ampicillin, amoxicillin, erythromycin, lincomycin, or other drugs that affect gram + flora

Question 6

fluid therapy is especially warranted in cases of:

Answer 6

inappetent for several days
sub-normal body temp
significant blood loss

Question 7

________ is a common sequela to any process causing a negative caloric state in rabbits and rodents.

Answer 7

hepatic lipidosis

Question 8

rabbits and rodents cannot _____ due to strong cardiac sphincter musculature.

Answer 8

vomit

Question 9

when prepping rabbits and rodents for anesthesia & sx, you should limit your blind intubation attempts to ____.

Answer 9

2

Question 10

rabbits & rodents are ______ nasal breathers.

Answer 10

obligate

Question 11

what type of dentition do guinea pigs have and what does it mean?

Answer 11

Hypselodont –> all teeth grow continuously

Question 12

Which rodent requires an extraneous source of Vitamin C?

Answer 12

guinea pigs

Question 13

guinea pigs are the only rodent that requires an extraneous source of ____.

Answer 13

vitamin c

Question 14

a lack of vitamin C in guinea pigs results in what?

Answer 14

scurvy

Question 15

what are the clinical signs of scurvy?

Answer 15

rough hair coat, alopecia, malocclusion, anorexia, swollen joints, bleeding gums, bruxism

Question 16

which sex of guinea pigs gets mammary adenocarcinomas more?

Answer 16

males

Question 17

what is important to know about guinea pig castrations?

Answer 17

they have an open inguinal ring that must be closed at castration

Question 18

tell me about female guinea pig pubises and why their anatomy may result in dystocia

Answer 18

they have a fibrocartilaginous pubic symphysis that separates during the latter half of gestation, but if the first litter occurs after 8-10 months old, the symphysis separates less easily and dystocia can occur

Question 19

true or false: urinary calculi are not common in guinea pigs

Answer 19

false. they are common in guinea pigs

Question 20

80% of urinary calculi in guinea pigs are ____ _____.

Answer 20

calcium oxalate

Question 21

tell me how a UTI in a guinea pig can lead to urolithiasis.

Answer 21

UTI –> stones w/ crystals congregating around a nidus of bac t

Question 22

what are the common C/S of guinea pigs urolithiasis?

Answer 22

hematuria, dysuria, stranguria, lethargy, inappetence, decreased stool production, vocalization with urination

Question 23

true or false: guinea pigs who undergo sx for urolithiasis are unlikely to develop stones again.

Answer 23

false. reoccurrence of stones is common

Question 24

what is the shape of the occlusal surfaces of guinea pig cheek teeth?

what happens when they overgrow?

Answer 24

steeply angulated

they eventually converge, trapping the tongue and food

Question 25

____ elongation of guinea pig molars forces the mouth to _____ ____, resulting in what?

Answer 25

Coronal, stay open secondary incisor malocclusion also affecting TMJ

Question 26

guinea pigs can be infested with ____, _____, and less commonly, ____ & _____.

Answer 26

lice, mites, fleas, *Demodex*

Question 27

What is the species of mite that infests guinea pigs?

Answer 27

*Trixacarus caviae*

Question 28

true or false: *Trixacarus caviae* is very very pruritic

Answer 28

true!!

Question 29

severe cases of *Trixacarus caviae* can cause ____.

Answer 29

seizures

Question 30

true or false. *Trixacarus caviae* is not zoonotic.

Answer 30

false! it is zoonotic (it's sarcoptic)

Question 31

what are the typical C/S and locations of Dermatophytosis in guinea pigs?

Answer 31

scaly patchy areas of alopecia, mildly pruritic and erythemic bridge of nose, dorsum of feet, by ears

Question 32

what is the common species that causes dermatophytosis in guinea pigs?

Answer 32

*Trichophyton mentagrophytes*

Question 33

true or false: *Trichophyton mentagrophytes* is zoonotic.

Answer 33

TRUE!

Question 34

tell me the top ddx's for a guinea pig with an integument mass

Answer 34

abscess neoplasia

Question 35

guinea pig abscesses are often associated with what species? what syndrome does it cause?

Answer 35

*Streptococcus zooepidemicus* cervical lymphadenopathy

Question 36

what is the most common neoplasia of guinea pigs? Malignant or benign?

Answer 36

Trichofolliculoma benign

Question 37

How do you tell the difference b/t a Syrian/Golden hamster and a Dwarf hamster?

Answer 37

Syrian: permissive hibernators Dwarf: will not hibernate

Question 38

Hamsters are _____. (type of food they eat)

Answer 38

Omnivores

Question 39

Hamsters are weird stomachs. Describe it and tell me the health implication.

Answer 39

grossly distinct 2 section stomach: proximal: rumen-like, non-glandular distal: glandular do not tolerate diet changes well

Question 40

hamsters have ____-root incisors and ____-root molars.

Answer 40

open, closed

Question 41

hamster hair coat can be affected by...?

Answer 41

poor nutrition, aging, demodicosis, hormonal changes from hyperadrenocorticism or cystic ovaries, epitheliotrpic lymphoma, dermatophytosis, chronic renal disease

Question 42

tell me the ddx's for pruritic alopecia in a hamster

Answer 42

bacterial dermatitis fungal dermatitis (yeast, dermatophytosis) parasitic dermatitis (mange, fleas)

Question 43

tell me the ddx's for non-pruritic alopecia in a hamster

Answer 43

demodectic mange neoplasm (epitheliotropic lymphoma, papilloma) endocrine dz (hyperadrenocorticism, thyroid dz, sex hormone related)

Question 44

a hamster presents to you for alopecia and hair coat changes. what is a very important part of the hx you need to get? without knowing the answer to the question you ask above, what are the top 3 most common ddx's?

Answer 44

pruritic vs non-pruritic abscesses, demodectic mange, hormone-related

Question 45

what is the most common neoplasia in hamsters?

Answer 45

lymphoma

Question 46

what are the 3 types of lymphoma in hamsters and what is the signalment for each?

Answer 46

Hematopoietic -- older Epitheliotropic -- adult Epizootic -- young

Question 47

what is the etiology for Epizootic lymphoma in hamsters? how does it present?

Answer 47

Polyomavirus abdominal masses

Question 48

Demodicosis in hamsters is usually secondary to ____?

Answer 48

immunosuppresion

Question 49

how does Demodicosis in hamsters usually present?

Answer 49

alopecia & pruritis

Question 50

GI diseases in hamsters usually present because of perceived diarrhea or _____.

Answer 50

Wet tail

Question 51

what is the most significant intestinal disease of hamsters 3-10 weeks old?

Answer 51

Proliferative ileitis

Question 52

Proliferative ileitis targets hamsters of what age?

Answer 52

3-10 weeks old

Question 53

proliferative ileitis has a high _____ rate. (morbidity or mortality)

Answer 53

mortality

Question 54

what is the causative agent of proliferative ileitis in hamsters? it is often only confirmed on _____.

Answer 54

*Lawsonia intracellularis* necropsy

Question 55

with proliferative ileitis, treatment must be ____ and is often ____.

Answer 55

aggressive, unsuccessful

Question 56

what are 4 sequelae of proliferative ileitis in hamsters? (the bolded one is the one you need to know fo sho)

Answer 56

intussusception obstruction decrease nutritional absorption **rectal prolapse**

Question 57

is discharge from the vulva normal in hamsters?

Answer 57

no, EXCEPT for in Golden hamsters, where they have visible post-ovulatory discharge

Question 58

rabbits have ___ dentition. what does this mean?

Answer 58

hypselodont all teeth grow all the time

Question 59

rabbits are strict ____, _____ fermentors, and ____ selectors

Answer 59

herbivores, hindgut, concentrate

Question 60

tell me the difference b/t large vs small particles and how they travel through the rabbit GIT. what does this result in?

Answer 60

large: eliminated directly as hard fecal pellets w/I 4h of eating small: collected in haustra of colon, sent back to cecum via reverse peristalsis for fermentation and production of cecotrophs results in 2 types of stool: fecal pellet & cecotroph

Question 61

what are the primary roles of the rabbit cecum?

Answer 61

fermentation of plant material synthesis of AAs and VFAs --> concentrated into cecotrophs

Question 62

cecotrophs are made of ____ and ____.

Answer 62

amino acids volatile fatty acids

Question 63

diet and dietary ____ play major roles in the health and motility of the digestive tracts of rabbits.

Answer 63

fibre

Question 64

_____: necessary for growing, pregnant & lactating rabbits, but persistently high numbers of this in the diet leads to obesity, altered digestive tract motility, poor teeth wear, decreased water intake, reduced appetite for cecotrophs, and an observed increased appetite for cardboard, carpet, and furniture.

Answer 64

protein

Question 65

adult rabbits should be fed _____ fibre in the form of ____.

Answer 65

70-75% grass hays

Question 66

a ____ or ___ appetite is one of the most common presentations in rabbits.

Answer 66

reduced or absent

Question 67

a decrease in appetite is always associated with...?

Answer 67

reduced or absent fecal output

Question 68

what is GI stasis? what is it the consequence of?

Answer 68

reduced/absent appetite + reduced/absent fecal output consequence of anorexia

Question 69

true or false: GI stasis is one of the most common diagnoses in rabbits.

Answer 69

FALSE. GI STASIS IS NOT A DIAGNOSIS!!!!!!!!!!

Question 70

tell me the pathophys behind GI stasis in rabbits and why it's really bad

Answer 70

1. inappetence 2. decreased motility 3. change in pH 4. disruption of normal bac t flora 5. gas and toxin production 6. pain and dehydration 7/1. inappetence (it's a cycle, it starts over)

Question 71

what is important to know in the hx of anorexic rabbits?

Answer 71

- stressors? - previous episodes of anorexia? - diet hx/diet changes? - meds? recent anesthesia/sx?

Question 72

true or false: acute abdomen in any age rabbit has a sudden rapid onset and is a true emergency.

Answer 72

true

Question 73

_____ is extremely useful in acutely anorexic rabbits to help distinguish b/t life and non-life threatening situations.

Answer 73

biochem

Question 74

you have an acutely anorexic rabbit. what test should come first, imaging or biochem? why?

Answer 74

biochem stress of imaging may influence blood parameters, results may influence choice of imaging

Question 75

tell me the correlation b/t blood glucose and GI obstruction in rabbits.

Answer 75

there is a correlation b/t severe GI obstructive dz and markedly elevated blood glucose levels >16mmol/L indicates blockage/severe stress [not in red]

Question 76

when you suspect a liver lobe torsion in a rabbit, what imaging modality should you choose?

Answer 76

ultrasound

Question 77

what is the general tx for an anorexic rabbit?

Answer 77

fluids, pain control, assist feed

Question 78

what are the most important Aspects of treatment for an anorexic rabbit?

Answer 78

hydrating GIT and controlling gut pain

Question 79

you have an acutely anorexic rabbit with a normal PE. what is the tx?

Answer 79

symptomatic/outpatient tx w/ expectation of improvement in 24h and clear instructions to owners SQ fluids, pain management, syringe feed once hydrated

Question 80

you have an acutely anorexic rabbit with a slightly abnormal PE. what is the tx?

Answer 80

hospitalize for first 24h to monitor SQ fluids/IV fluids in older pts, pain meds, syringe feed PCV/TP and biochem to rule out GI obstruction and liver lobe torsion, & to look for underlying issues

Question 81

you have a rabbit with an acute abdomen (markedly abnormal PE). what is the tx?

Answer 81

TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE - EMERGENCY!! hospitalize and monitor closely (temp, resp, posture/abdomen) IV fluids, opiod pain meds, avoid meloxicam as pain med, DO NOT SYRINGE FEED until animal is stable PCV/TP, biochem, imaging

Question 82

a rabbit with an acute GI obstruction presents with which C/S?

Answer 82

hypothermia, signs of shock (rapid shallow breathing, poor CRT), enlarged tympanic stomach, no gut sounds, teeth grinding, hunched posture

Question 83

rabbits with chronic obstruction have the obstruction where in their GIT?

Answer 83

ileoceco-colonic junction

Question 84

chronic anorexia is characterized by...? what complication can happen?

Answer 84

gradual downslide that self perpetuates, can complicate with hepatic lipidosis

Question 85

what is necessary to determine cause in order to outline tx/prognosis in a chronic anorexic rabbit?

Answer 85

diagnostics

Question 86

in a rabbit with a liver lobe torsion, what anomaly would you see on biochem?

Answer 86

elevated ALT

Question 87

you have a rabbit with an acute abdomen and you do biochem, where you see an elevated ALT. what is your top ddx and how do you confirm?

Answer 87

liver lobe torsion ultrasound to confirm

Question 88

in rabbit cases with liver lobe torsion, what part of the liver is often involved and why?

Answer 88

caudate lobe of the R liver it's a thick lobe with a thin pedicle as an attachment

Question 89

true or false: dental dz is uncommon in rabbits.

Answer 89

false. it is common

Question 90

true or false: during a routine PE of a rabbit, you don't have to do a complete oral exam; just examining the incisors is fine.

Answer 90

false. you should always do a complete oral exam, view all aspects of all arcades

Question 91

you have a rabbit with dental disease. what hx and C/S do you expect to hear/see?

Answer 91

weight loss, gradual inappetence, increase in H2O intake, change in eating habits, change in stool prod., ocular discharge, teeth grading, masses along jaw line, foul breath

Question 92

Pasteurella multocida: 1. gram? 2. polar? 3. motility? 4. shape?

Answer 92

1. gram - 2. bi-polar 3. non-motile 4. coccobacillus

Question 93

what C/S's/diseases does Pasteurella multocida cause in rabbits? think like generally

Answer 93

rhinitis, sinusitis, conjunctivitis, lacrimal duct infections, otitis, pleuropneumonia, bacteremia, abscesses SQ or internal, bone & joint infections, infertility, abortions

Question 94

Snuffles in rabbits is caused by...?

Answer 94

*Pasteurella multocida*

Question 95

URT dz caused by Pasteurella (snuffles) is usually not life threatening. however, it can be in one circumstance. what is that?

Answer 95

severely blocked nares can result in resp arrest bc they are obligate nasal breathers

Question 96

what are top 2 ddx for rabbit with head tilt?

Answer 96

Encephalitozoonosis otitis media/interna caused by *P. multocida*

Question 97

otitis media or interna caused by *P. multocida* typically presents as...?

Answer 97

acute onset head tilt, lateral nystagmus, ataxia, rolling, facial nerve paralysis (weakness in eyelid, ear, contracted lip) w/ chronic otitis

Question 98

Encephalitozoonosis is caused by what?

Answer 98

*Encephalitozoon cuniculi*

Question 99

how do you treat otitis media or interna caused by *P. multocida* in rabbits?

Answer 99

antibiotics, supportive care (anti-nauseant, NSAIDs, nutritional support, eye lube, cage mods)

Question 100

why are abscesses caused by *P. multocida* in rabbits SUPER DUPER FRUSTRATING???

Answer 100

rabbits heterophiles lack myeloperoxidaze enzyme that liquifies purulent material, resulting in a thick, tenacious exudate that **defies lancing and flushing** basically have to remove entire abscess surgically for treatment

Question 101

with *P. multocida* abscesses in rabbits, two things are common... what are they?

Answer 101

fistulous tracts = phlegmon = unlimited spread along connective tissue and muscle encapsulation = walled off abscess