Small mammals Flashcards
mammals
vertebrates with an endoskeleton, endothermic, have hair, and can produce milk
lagomorphs
rabbits
cottontail rabbits scientific name
sylvilagus
rabbit scientific name
oryctolagus cuniculus
what makes rabbits different from other small mammals?
they have 4 upper incisors: 2 hypsodont teeth and 2 peg teeth behind the 2 full teeth
how many different breeds of rabbits are there?
45 breeds
warren
a group of wild rabbits that live underground together
there can be up to 50 rabbits
what is the dental formula for rabbits?
I2/1, C0/0, PM3/0, M3/3
which types of rabbits have increased dental problems?
brachycephalics
what is the most common dental issue seen in rabbits?
malocclusion due to not keeping their hypsodont teeth short
rabbit temperament
very social and do well in pairs, prey animal
what are some things to consider with housing and husbandry of rabbits?
they are heat sensitive, territorial, can be litter trained, can be crepuscular or biphasic feeders
crepuscular feeder
eat at dawn and dusk
biphasic feeder
eat at midnight and dawn
what are rabbits diet like?
pelleted diet with free choice hay
Timothy hay preferred because Alfalfa is higher in calcium
treats: fresh greens, vegetables, fruit
doe
female rabbit
buck
male rabbit
kindling
nursing kits (rabbits)
only nurse 5 minutes a day
what type of ovulators are rabbits?
induced ovulators
how are rabbits born?
altricial
what type of stomach do rabbits have?
monogastric hindgut fermenter
what is something unique with rabbits’ digestive systems?
coprophagy of cecotrophs
proximal colon sorts fiber into digestible and indigestible
digestible fiber goes to cecum for processing and everything else is passed as feces
coprophagy: fermented fiber in cecum moves back to colon where it is covered with mucus and passed as cecotrophs
this process allows nutrients to be absorbed especially vitamin B complex
sacculus rotundus
dilated part of the terminal end of the ileum, it is formed at the distal end of the ileum which is expanded further to form a small spherical sac
rich in lymphoid tissue which provides immunity
what is the most critical issue in small mammals?
gastric stasis or ileus: when animal is anorexic and producing little to no fecal
very painful, potentially fatal
treatment: fluids to check for obstruction, pain meds
causes: malocclusion, hairball blockage, most commonly a lack of hay or fiber