Rat & Mouse Husbandry and Diseases Flashcards
what order, suborder, family, and genus are RATS?
order: rodentia
suborder: myomorpha
family: muridae
genus: rattus
what species of RAT is most commonly seen as pets / brought into the clinic?
Rattus norvegicus
what order, suborder, family, genus, and species are MICE?
order: rodentia
suborder: myomorpha
family: muridae
genus: mus
species: musculus
A rat presents to your clinic because the owners noticed that one of the toes on the front feet must’ve fallen off since there are 5 toes on the back feet but 4 on the front. What is your presumptive diagnosis and plan?
nothing! this is normal anatomy.
T/F: mouse and rat incisors grow continuously throughout life
true
they can become maloccluded, which can lead to issues with eating. They require trimming if they present with this issue.
what is the purpose of brown fat deposits?
used to generate heat during exposure to cold environment. It is a form of non-shivering thermogenesis
T/F: rat and mice brains have ample gyri and sulci
false – lacks. smooth brains :/
What is the function of the harderian gland (a gland found below the eye)?
secretes porphyrin (iron-containing red pigment)
hypersecretion occurs under stressful conditions (red tears).
If a rodent presents to your clinic with a presenting complaint of “bleeding from the eyes/nose/legs” then you should consider this as a possibility and recommend stress reduction
how many lung lobes do rats and mice have?
4 (1 left, 3 right)
T/F: the mouse lacks a galbladder whereas rats have one.
false – rats lack one, mice have it.
what is the speculation about why rats canNOT vomit?
limiting ridge that separates the glandular and nonglandular portions of their stomach blocks the esophagus.
The cecum in rats and mice is large. What is the purpose of this organ?
contains resident microbes that aid in digestion of cellulose and other plant materials. Necessary for life.
You need to place a catheter in a rat. What is different about the urinary anatomy in rats and mice that you need to consider for ucath placement?
the urethra opens in the penis in males.
in females, the urethra opens in the genital papilla near the base of the clitoris (not in the vagina/vulva)
Secretions from what 4 glands in male rats/mice yields a sperm plug?
- vesicular glands / seminal vesicles
- coagulating glands
- prostate
- bulbourethral glands.
How is it possible that rats can draw their testicles into their abdomen?
they have open inguinal rings
pulling them into their body is beneficial during fights and/or cold weather
T/F: rats have 2 cervices
true
T/F: a vaginal closure membrane is present in immature female rats/mice but disappears prior to sexual maturity
true – this is different from guinea pigs.
Why would mammary tumor be one of your top differentials for a mouse/rat presenting with a mass under the arm pit or around the neck?
mice and rats have mammary tissue that is widely distributed and extends onto the lateral and dorsal areas of the abdomen and thorax
what are the lifespans of rats and mice?
rats – 2-3 years
mice – 1.5-3 years
Approximately how much urine do mice vs rats produce per day?
mice – 0.5-1.0 mL/day
rats – 3.3 mL/100g BW/day (A LOT)
Rats and mice are (nocturnal/diurnal/crepuscular)
nocturnal
T/F: male rats and mice are more aggressive than females
true
how is social dominance manifested in mice?
the dominant mouse exhibits barbering (excessive grooming/nibbling) of less-dominant individuals.
If you are looking at a group of individuals, the one that still has hair is likely the dominant individual who is barbering the others causing hair loss.
This is also known as trichotillomania and can be treated with N-acetylcysteine.