Rabbits, Rodents, and Ferrets Flashcards
Why is fibre important in a rabbits diet
if it has reduced fibre it leads to gastric atony (stomach does not contract)
and diarrhea
What do rabbit diets with high calcium lead to
urolithiasis (bladder stones)
What is coprophagia
eating own fecal material
What feces do rabbits eat
cecotrophs
What is Pododermatitis
affects back feet of rabbits; excessive pressure on feet
What is Pasteruella Multocida
causes pneumonia in rabbits
causes significant morbidity and mortality in rabbits
What are clinical signs of pasteurellosis
sudden death, sneezing, difficulty breathing, watery eyes, runny nose, inner ear infection, uterine&testicle infection, lung infection
What is RHD in rabbits
a highly contagious and fatal disease caused by a calicivirus that attacks lining of blood vessels
transmitted by direct contact
clincal signs: difficulty breathing, sudden death
treatment: none; depopulate
What is Tularemia
aka rabbit fever
transmitted by direct contact from contaminated water, food, soil, animal tissues
- one of the most pathogenic bacteria
- survives 3-4 months in environment
- easily killed by heat & disinfectant
What are the two types of tularemia
Type A: more virulent
Type B: less virulent
What is the gestation period of a mouse and rat
mouse: 20-30 days
rat: 20-23 days
What are the characteristics of mice
- omnivores
- nocturnal
- live 1.5-3 years
What are the characteristics of a rat
- omnivore
- nocturnal
- live 2.5-3.5 years
What is the Harderian Gland
secretes fluid to lubricate the 3rd eyelid in rats & mice
What is porphyrin staining
“blood tears” from stress
not actually blood
What is ringtail
skin becomes dry and contracted. Decrease in blood flow
Define Enzootic
fleas stay in same host
define Epizootic
fleas change to new host
new host can amplify flea population
what are the 3 forms of plague in humans
- Bubonic
- Septicemic
- Pneumonic
What is the bobonic plague
painful swollen lymph nodes vomiting painful liver & spleen headaches can develop into septicemic plague
what is the septicemic plague
bacteria dividing in blood
can cause organ failure
causes Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC): severe blood clotting
What is the pneumonic plague
occurs following inhalation of bacteria
cough
dyspnea (difficulty breathing), leads to death
Characteristic of ferrets
dimorphic predator
strict carnivores
clean & easily house trained
What do sebaceous glands in ferrets do
cause musky odor so neutering will reduce smell
What are male, female, and young ferrets called
male: Hob
female: Jill
young: kit
What is ferret gestation period
41-42 days
What is pseudopregnancy in ferrets
prolonged periods with elevated estrogen levels
can be fatal if not treated early
spay immediately
what is Aplastic Anemia
complete failure of bone marrow to produce blood cells
what disease affects canines and ferrets
canine distemper caused by paramyxovirus
almost always fatal in ferrets
no treatment
vaccinate to prevent
