Small Animals Flashcards
what is the average lifespan of a domestic rabbit?
8-12 years
what type of diet do rabbits eat?
herbivores
what should the majority of a rabbits diet be made up of?
grass (grazing or hay)
what food should you avoid feeding to a rabbit?
dark greens (bladder stones) fruit (fermentation can cause GI upset)
what is the maximum amount of pellets a rabbit should receive per day?
25g/kg - any more will reduce hay/grass intake causing GI upset
why are pellet better for rabbits than muesli?
they are selective feeders
what is the appropriate size of a rabbit enclosure?
3 hops and stand up within the hutch - with run area
what can rabbits be bedded on?
newspaper, straw and shavings
are rabbits sensitive to heat?
yes
should rabbits be housed alone?
no - in pairs or groups as they are social animals
what type of ovulators are rabbits?
induced ovulators
what is rabbit oestrus stimulated by?
presence of male
what is the average gestation of rabbits?
30-32 days
what is the average litter size for rabbits?
2-12
what is a key consideration if hand rearing rabbits?
mum will leave offspring in the day so they are only fed 2x a day
how can you determine a rabbit is female?
vulva present with slit of vagina visible
how can you determine if a rabbit is male?
testis obvious in male
penis visible if gentle downwards pressure applied above penile shaft
how can young rabbits be sexed?
male- tubular structure with open circle of tissue at tip
female - obvious slit showing vaginal opening
what are the key handling points for rabbits?
tuck into your body
keep paws on a surface as much as possible
ensure a curve remains in the back at all times
a hand placed on the rabbits back can prevent jumping
what is the lifespan of guinea pigs?
5-6 years
what part of guinea pig lifestyle makes them such good childrens pets?
not nocturnal
what type of diet do guinea pigs eat?
herbivores
what is essential about storage of guinea pig pellets?
appropriate to ensure vitamin C remains activated
what additional food can guinea pigs have each day?
leafy green salad
what vitamin must guinea pigs have supplemented?
C
do guinea pigs tolerate heat or cold?
no - require between 15 and 26 degrees
what size hutch should a guinea pig have?
3ft by 5ft with room to stand on hind legs
why must the bottom of a guinea pig cage be solid?
wires can cause foot problems
what should guinea pigs be bedded on?
recycled paper - shavings contain respiratory irritants
should guinea pigs be housed together?
yes - very social animals. Can be mixed groups if neutering has occurred
at what age should guinea pigs not become pregnant?
past 1 year old as their pelvis has fused and death of mother and babies during birth is likely
what sort of oestrus cycle do guinea pigs have?
polyoestrus
what size litter do guinea pigs normally have?
2-6
what is the gestation period for guinea pigs?
60-72 days
how can you determine the sex of a male guinea pig?
slit with a circle of folded tissue on top - pressure on cranial/lateral aspect of slit will cause penis to appear
how can you determine the sex of a female guinea pig?
distinct Y formation
what is an average chinchilla lifespan?
10-12 years
what diet do chinchillas eat?
herbivores
what housing do chinchillas require?
tall, roomy cage
multiple levels
how often should chinchilla bedding be changed?
weekly (more if there are multiple animals in one cage)
do chinchillas require baths?
dust baths - keep skin healthy, 2-3 times per week
what are chinchillas social needs?
neutered animals can live together
need plenty of human interaction if housed alone
are female chinchillas commonly neutered?
no - usually males
what is essential about chinchilla handling?
it is done gently as large patches of fur can come off incorrectly handled
what health issues are chinchillas predisposed to?
dental, heart and respiratory diseases
what should small rodents be fed with?
pelleted diet as they are selective feeders
what should small rodents be housed in?
roomy wire cage with solid bottom (except gerbils)
what sort of bedding should be avoided for small rodents?
dusty material
what is key about handling newborn small rodents?
they are born deaf and blind - unable to regulate temperature so care must be taken if removing from the nest
how can small rodents be sexed?
anogenital distance - much longer in males than in females
what is the lifespan of rats?
2-3 years
what sorts of diet do rats eat?
they are opportunistic omnivores
what should rats be bedded on?
paper
why should scented/dusty bedding be avoided for rats?
rats are predisposed to eye and respiratory problems
can rats be housed in groups?
yes - if neutered
what is the average litter size of rats?
6-12
what is the gestation of rats?
20-22 days
when do testes descend in rats?
6 weeks
what are common diseases seen in rats?
respiratory disease
pneumonia
mammary tumors (prevented by neutering)
what is the lifespan of mice?
2 years
what is the gestation of mice?
19-21 days
what is the average litter size of mice?
5-10
what small mammals are nocturnal?
chinchillas
hamsters
how should hamsters be sexed?
cup hamster and turn over to expose genitals - anogenital distance is virtually non-existent in the female
what is the gestation of hamsters?
19-22 days
what is the litter size of hamsters?
6-7
what is the lifespan of gerbils?
4 years
where should gerbils be housed?
gerbilarium - tank with ventilated roof
sand bath provided
what groups should breeding gerbils be kept in?
threes
how can gerbils be sexed?
male with have a dark scrotal sac
when is sexing of gerbils usually done?
after weaning to reduce stress
what can happen if gerbils are not correctly handled?
degloving of tail
convulsions
what is the lifespan of ferrets?
6-7 years
what sort of diets should ferrets eat?
carnivorous
what sort of ovulators are ferrets?
induced
when will ferrets season end?
when mated
what is the gestation of ferrets?
42 days
what happens to jill ferrets if not mated once per season?
at risk of bone marrow toxicity and fatal anaemia
how can risks of not mating ferrets be managed?
mating use of vasectomised male progesterone injections neutering implant to prevent season
what are the risks associated with neutering ferrets?
adrenal disease as gonads regulate adrenal function
how can a ferrets sex be determined?
anogenital distance is large in males
testes are obvious during season
how do reptiles control their body temperature?
ectothermic - use environment
what is required by many reptiles?
UVB
why do reptiles require UVB?
vitamin D synthesis
how close must the animal be able to get to their light bulb?
15cm
when should the UVB light be turned off?
night times and to reflect photo-period at different times of year
what does POTZ stand for?
preferred optimal temperature zone
what is POTZ?
a range of temperatures for each animal which normal physiological processes occur - affects metabolic processes
how can humidity be provided for species which need it?
bowl of water for them to sit in or spraying with water
what is essential about a reptilian environment?
temperature gradient
heat bulbs - turned off at night to replicate photoperiod (night lamp required)
where can a microchip be placed in lizards?
> 12.5cm in length - SQ in left inguinal region
<12.5cm in length - intracoelomic
what 3 diets will lizards have?
herbivores - leafy greens
insectivores - crickets/mealworms
carnivores - rats/mice
how can calcium be supplemented in lizards?
gut loading of insects to be fed
dusted with supplement before eating
what is autotomy?
dropping of tail in small lizards when under stress
how can lizards be sexed?
sexual dimorphism
what is the POTZ of bearded dragons?
24-32 degrees (with basking spot @ 35-40 degrees)
what size should the enclosure for a bearded dragon be?
4 times the length of the lizard
should bearded dragons be housed individually?
yes
what is a bearded dragons diet like pre-maturity?
omnivorous
what can be averted by spaying?
reproductive issues
what is the POTZ of the leopard gecko?
21-30 degrees
if a gecko undergoes autotomy what will happen?
tail will reform but with cartilage rather than bone
do snakes require UV light?
no
where should a snake be microchipped?
SQ on left of neck - twice the length of the head from the tip of the nose
what is a suggested night time temperature drop for snakes?
2-5 degrees
what should snake houses be made from?
glass or plastic
what size should a snake enclosure be?
minimum length of snake across the diagonal
what can be provided to aid shedding?
shallow container with moss/peat to create high humidity
what are snakes diets like?
either carnivore or insectivore
what prey cannot legally be fed live in the UK?
vertebrate
what snakes should be handled by 2 people?
anything over 1.5m
how do most snakes reproduce?
oviparous - may even lay if not mated
how can snakes be sexed?
sexual dimorphism or probing
what is the purpose of hibernation?
allow animal to cope with food scarcity and reduced temperature in winter
what will trigger hibernation?
food scarcity and shortening day length
what is a usual tortoise diet?
obligate herbivores - 85% leafy greens, veg and fruit
what can cause renal failure in herbivores?
high protein diet
what must happen 3-4 week prior to hibernation?
starved to prevent food rotting in gut
what temperature should tortoises be hibernated at?
3-8 degrees
