Small Mammals

Question 1

What is classed as a Myomorph?

Answer 1

Rats, Mice, Hamsters

Question 2

What is classed as a Caviomorph?

Answer 2

Guinea Pigs, Chinchillas

Question 3

How would you safely transport a small mammal to and from a hospital?

Answer 3

Ensure the cage is escape proof and gnaw proof.
Large enough to turn around but small enough for easy capture.
Provide a hiding place to provide security but ensure it’s easy enough to get the animal out.
Cover cage with cloth to prevent visual over stimulation.
Ensure the animal is not subject to extreme heats to prevent hyper/hypothermia.
Absorbent material such as kitchen paper to absorb urine.

Question 4

When housing a small mammal in a hospital, what is important to consider?

Answer 4

The animal is situated in the quietest part of the hospital, away from cats and dogs.
The cage is situated near to the ground.
The cage is easily cleaned, escape proof and gnaw proof.
Small enough to allow easy capture.
Easily cleaned, absorbent bedding material used. e.g., kitchen paper.

Question 5

Describe the process of caecatrophy. (6 marks)

Answer 5

1. Food accumulates in the proximal colon and reverses into the caecum.
2. Bacterial and microbial fermentation occurs.
3. Breaking down the tough cellulose and hemicellulose walls of the plant material
4. The larger fibre particles which would not be digested adequately in the caecum are selected by the proximal colon and pass out of the gut as caecotroph pellets.
5. This is re-eaten directly and undergo a second digestion process.
6. Caecotrophs are mucus covered to form a protection from the acidic stomach and then are broken down as far as possible to become a dry faecal pellet.

Question 6

How are hard faecal pellets formed?

Answer 6

Mechanical separation on proximal colon separates ingest into solid indigestible particles and liquid contents.
Faecal pellets pass down the lumen and more water is absorbed from it.
Liquid fraction returned to the caecum by anti peristalsis for further fermentation.