Section 1: Small Exotic Mammal Nutrition (Fredholm) Flashcards
T or F: little or no AAFCO standards for many exotic species
T
Domesticated small exotics
rabbits, ferrets, rodents (rats, mice, guinea pigs, hamsters, gerbils) standards and research DO exist
non-domesticated small exotics
hedgehogs, sugar gliders, prairie dogs, etc. Very little known about their diet requirements!
Hind-gut fermenters (5)
rabbits, chinchillas, guinea pigs, degus, prairie dogs. Have a large cecum
Rabbit GIT chars.
- large cecum
- long GIT
- lots of feces
- cecotropes (higher in nutrients, eaten to reabsorb these)
Rabbit oral cavity chars.
- 6 incisors (including 2 peg teeth)
- cheek teeth for grinding
- diastema (gap)
- open-rooted continuously growing teeth
Fiber in hindgut fermenters is important for:
- tooth wear
- general oral health
- gastric oral health
goal fiber content in diet of hindgut ferm.
20-25%. Fiber should also be appropriately long!
role of water in hind-gut fermenters
motility
Why are commercial pelleted diets not complete for rabbits?
- not enough indigestible fiber
- fiber too short
- too much fat/protein
- create an obese rabbit!
rabbits and too much fruit
decreases pH, resulting in dysbiosis (diarrhea, GI ulcers, poor absorption)
Benefits of chewing in rabbits
appropriate tooth wear, adequate GI motility
common health problems assoc. with inappropriate diet in rabbits
- dental dz
- abnormal feces –> GI stasis/ileus*
Should you only examine rabbit incisors?
NO! Must always examine cheek teeth too; may require sedation, rads, CT
benefit of CT over dental rads
lets you see what’s going on under the gum line
what kind of hay to feed rabbits? Why?
grass, NOT legume hay. Legume is high in calcium and can cause hypercalcemia and is also too rich in protein and fat
Hypercalcemia in rabbits may cause:
stone formation w/n kidneys, ureters, bladder, or urethra. Potential for urinary obstruction
Describe a proper rabbit diet
- free choice timothy hay
- small amt. pellets per 24 hrs
- handful of greens (not spinach)
- rare treats (i.e. carrots, squash)
- rare fruit
bad brand of rabbit food. why?
Fiesta. high carbs, low fiber
Tx for anorexic hind gut fermenter
- an emergency!
- rehydrate
- feed
- pain control
- determined why stopped eating