Small animal nutrition Flashcards
(27 cards)
What are Rodentia?
Rodents, including the likes of rats, mice, capybara and more
What are elodontic teeth in rodents?
Open root dentition
Why do the incisors have thick enamel on the front but not the back?
This causes them to retain their chisel shape as they are worn down
What is behind the incisors?
Large gap, diastema
Do rodents have canines?
No, only a few molars at the back
What do they gnaw and chew with?
They gnaw with their incisors by pushing the lower jaw forward and chew with the molars by pulling the lower jaw backwards
What are Lagomorpha?
Rabbits, hares and Pikas
What do lagomorpha have extra in their dentition?
A second pair of incisors (peg teeth)
What are Lagomorpha in terms of food consumption?
Herbivorous grazers (prefer immature plants)
In terms of digestion, what are Lagomorpha?
Hindgut fermentors
Once food reaches the intestines what is it divided into?
- Non-usable, indigestible fibre is passed through the intestines and excreted.
- Soluble material enters the caecum.
What is the Caecum?
Site of bacterial fermentation
What happens during fermentation?
Vitamins are produced by the bacteria, and with microbial protein, are passed through the intestines and excreted
What is a caecotroph?
Digestible food formed in the caecum coated in a thick layer of protective mucus that is consumed after expulsion from the anus a second time
What should a rabbit’s daily diet be made up of?
85% hay, 10% (leafy) greens and 5% concentrate pellet
How much concentrate pellet should rabbits get a day?
25g per rabbit
What are the typical contents of a rabbit pellet?
20% fibre, 14% protein, 3% fat, 1% calcium
What is fibre?
A form of carbohydrate
What is indigestible fibre made out of?
lignin (a type of cellulose)
Why is fibre so important?
A diet with high digestible content (long fibre) is very important to maintain GI (Gastrointestinal) motility.
Why is caecotrophy beneficial to the rabbit?
- Allows rabbits to obtain more nutrients: protein and vitamins.
- Ensures gut motility to prevent excess bacteria growth.
- Increase water intake (rabbits need 10%)
How does mucus aid in caecotrophy?
Protects the caecotroph from stomach acids
What are the downsides of selective feeding?
- Can lead to malnutrition
- Unbalanced diet
What are the upsides of selective feeding?
- Natural
- Freedom of choice
