Rodents Flashcards
Give an example of an adaption that rodents have to help them withstand cold conditions.
Brown fat.
This is used to generate heat via non-shivering thermogenesis and is used during hibernation.
True/false?
Brown fat is more vascular with more mitochondria than white fat?
True
Why are rabbits and rodents more at risk under anesthesia?
Their high metabolic rate can cause their body temp to drop. This happens because anesthesia can affect their ability to regulate body temperature. As a result of this they are more susceptible to hypothermia.
Therefore, it is important to closely monitor their temperature and provide appropriate warmth during anesthesia to prevent any complications.
What is the vertebral formula for guineapigs?
C7, T13-14, L6, S3-4, Cd 4-7
How many ribs do guineapigs have?
13 -14
What ribs are floating in guineapigs?
10-14
What ribs in the guineapig are cartilaginous?
The final 2 ribs
When does the skeletal system finally ossify in the rat?
approx 1 year old
Why do rats have longer bone healing time?
poorly developed haversian remodelling system
When do the growth plates at the proximal humerus and distal radius and ulna fuse?
2 years
(late in the life stage)
What does cartilaginous mandibular symphysis in the rat allow?
Flexibilty between the incisors when the animal is gnawing
What is the vertebral formula of the rat?
C7, T13, L6,S4,Cd 27-31
What is the vertebral formula of ferrets?
C7, T15, L5/6, S3, Cd 18
What animal is a ferrets skull most similar to?
cat
True/ False?
Ferrets have a proportionally small chest size compared to other carnivores.
False
They have a proportionally large chest size compared to other carnivores.
How many sternal rib pairs do ferrets have?
12
True/False?
Ferrets have a narrow thoracic inlet.
True
How many teeth do rodents have?
16-22
When do molars stop growing in omnivores (e.g mice and rats)?
around 4 months
True/ false
rats and mice are monophydonts.
True
They only have 1 set of teeth (no deciduous teeth prior to adult teeth)
Why are rats teeth yellow?
due to iron pigmentation
What is the dental formula for rodents?
1-0-0-3/ 1-0-0-3
True/false?
Ferrets are monophydonts.
False.
They are diphydonts because they have a set of deciduous teeth and a set of permanent teeth.
What is the deciduous dental formula of ferrets?
3(4)-1-3-0/ 3-1-3-0
What is the permanent dental formula of ferrets?
3-1-3-1/3-1-3-2
How old are ferrets when they recieve their permanent dentition?
7-10 weeks
How many deciduous teeth do ferrets have?
28-30
How many permanent teeth do ferrets have in total?
34
What animal are ferrets masticatory muscles and salivary glands similar to?
dogs
What are common problems are hamsters cheek pouches susceptible to?
abscesses, impactions, prolapses and tumours
What width should a hamsters cheek be when it is empty and when it is full?
Empty: 4-8 mm
Full: 20 mm
Where is the harderian gland located in rodents?
Behind the eye
What does the harderian gland secrete?
Lipids and porphyrin red pigment
What is the function of the harderian gland in rodents?
ocular lubrication and pheromone production
What leads to increased secretions from the harderian gland?
stress (due to behaviour or illness)
What is Chromodacryorrhea and what can it indicate?
Encrustations around the eyes due to release of porphyrins from the Harderian lacrimal glands.
Can indicate that the animal has been subjected to some form of stress (eg, chronic respiratory disease, changes in environment, etc).
Where is the thymus located in guineapigs?
Cranial mediastinum
What is the thymus replaced by in mature guineapigs?
fat
What type of diseases are common in ferrets?
Endocrine diseases
What are the main disorders seen in ferrets?
Insulinomas, hyperadrenocorticism, adrenal tumours, hypothyroidism, hypoparathyroidism, diabetes mellitus and persistent oestrus.
Where are the adrenal glands located in the ferret?
craniomedial to the kidneys
What can adrenal tumours lead to in ferrets?
Alopecia
What effect would a pancreatic tumour (insulinoma) have on insulin and glucose levels in ferrets?
Increased release of insulin which would in turn decrease glucose levels
What causes the clinical signs of a pancreatic tumour in ferrets?
resulting hypoglycaemia
What accessory glands do rodents have?
Prostate, seminal vesicles, ampullary glands and bulbourethral glands
How many lobes does the prostate have in rodents?
3
(dorsal, lateral, ventral)
What lobe of the prostate is also known as the coagulating gland in rodents?
Dorsal lobe
What type of uterus do guineapigs have?
Bicornuate
What accessory glands do male guineapigs have?
Prostate, coagulating gland, seminal vesicles and bulbourethral glands
What is the function of the coagulating gland?
responsible for semen coagulation and sperm motility
What type of uterus do ferrets have?
Bicornuate uterus
What is the oestrus cycle of ferrets linked to?
Increased daylight in spring
What could happen if a female ferret is unmated during her oestrus?
Oestrogen production continues which can cause hyperestrogenism. This condition leads to BM supression and anemia which can be very severe and sometimes fatal if untreated.
What is the only accesory gland that ferrets have?
prostate
Why might catheterisation in a male ferret be difficult?
curved top of the os penis
Why might a vasectomy be useful in ferrets?
Can mate with the jills to take them out of season
What is the name for a female ferret?
Jill
What is the name for a neutered female ferret?
Sprite
What is the name for a male ferret?
Hob
What is the name for a castrated male ferret?
Hobble/ gib