small mammals 5 pt 2 "Rats" Flashcards
1
Q
Mammary Tumors Etiology
A
- Mammary tissue from
neck to inguinal - BenignFibroadenoma
- 53% of cases, both sexes
- Often see changes of the reproductive tract – polyps, hyperplasia, cysts, metritis
- Adenocarcinomas
- 15%
<><><><><> - Distribution of the mammary tissue is extensive, neck to inguinal.
- Benign Fibroadenoma
- The most common subcutaneous tumor (53%) of the mammary glands.
- Can reach 8 to 10 cm in diameter and occur in both males and females.
- Often associated with changes in the reproductive tract, such as
endometrial polyps, hyperplasia, paraovarian cysts, and suppurative
metritis. - Adenocarcinomas
- Less common (15%)
2
Q
Mammary Tumors prevention
A
- Prevention – early spaying (< 3 months best, < 7 months OK); subcutaneous deslorelin implants instead, questionable efficacy.
3
Q
Mammary Tumors treatment
A
Treatment – surgical resection, often reoccur; spaying or deslorelin at this time questionable help.
4
Q
Pituitary Adenoma etiology
A
- Common, increase
with age - Can secrete prolactin → lactation, fibroadenoma?
5
Q
Pituitary Adenoma clinical signs
A
Hindlimb paresis/paralysis,
changes in vision
6
Q
Pituitary Adenoma Dx
A
- CT/MRI
7
Q
Pituitary Adenoma Tx
A
Cabergoline – blocks prolactin release
- regrowth possible
8
Q
Chronic Renal Failure etiology, clinical signs
A
Very common, increase with
age, more severe in males
* Large, pale, irregular kidneys
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PU/PD, proteinuria,
biochemistries
9
Q
Chronic Renal Failure Preventionand
Treatment
A
Low protein diet (4-7%, soybean)
10
Q
Chronic Renal Failure in rats summary
A
- Chronic progressive nephrosis (CPN) is the best-known age-related disease in rats.
- Kidneys enlarged and pale and have a pitted, mottled surface that often contains
pinpoint cysts. - Lesions consist of a progressive glomerulosclerosis and myriad tubulointerstitial
disease primarily involving the convoluted proximal tubule. - The disease occurs earlier and is of greater severity in males than in females.
- Marked proteinuria, increases with age.
- Dietary factors have an important role in the progression of CPN; caloric
restriction, low-protein diets (4%-7%, soybean), and limiting the source of dietary protein reduce the incidence and severity of CPN; drugs and exposure to chemicals may exacerbate. - Diagnosis is based on clinical signs (polyuria/polydipsia), plasma biochemical results, and proteinuria.
- Treatment – supportive, low-protein diet.
11
Q
Respiratory Disease in rats: principles
A
- Similar to dogs and cats
- History is critically important
- Previous illnesses and medications
- Exposure to toxins
- Interaction with other animals
- Handling
- Brief handling in unstable patients
- Physical examination may need to be performed in stages
12
Q
resp disease in rats - husbandry
A
- Soft paper-based bedding, hay, and fleece blankets are good
choices - Pine and cedar shavings are not recommended
- Potential respiratory irritant
- Increased liver enzymes
- Cage cleaning
- Frequent cage cleaning very important
- High ammonia levels can worsen respiratory disease
13
Q
resp disease in rats pathogens
A
- Respiratory disease is very common in pet rats
- Mycoplasma pulmonis is considered “ubiquitous” in pet rats, and can lead to oculonasal discharge, dyspnea, weight loss, and pulmonary abscessation * Chest x-ray can help determine severity of lesions and guide aggressiveness
and length of treatment
<><><>
Mycoplasma - Mycoplasma is very common in pet rats
- Difficult to kill due to lack of cell wall
- Can progress from upper respiratory infection to pneumonia,
abscesses, granulomas - Major component of chronic respiratory disease (CRD)
- Mycoplasma exacerbated by:
- Bacterial infections
- Viral infections
- Ammonia in the environment
- Genetics
- Nutritional deficiencies
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Not all respiratory disease in rats is mycoplasmosis - Other bacterial infections: Streptococcus, Corynebacterium, Filobacterium (CAR bacillus), Hemophilus, Pasteurella
- Viral infections: Sendai (paramyxovirus), pneumonia virus of mice (paramyxovirus), SDA virus (coronavirus)
- Fungal infections: Pneumocystis carinii
- Non-infectious disease
- Cardiovascular disease
- Neoplasia
- Although it can be difficult to differentiate infection vs. neoplasia based on
chest x-rays in rats, chest x-rays can help rule out congestive heart failure - Streptococcus pneumonia
- Can occur acutely
- Young rats have more severe disease than older ones; sudden death may
occur - Mature rats: dyspnea, snuffling, abdominal breathing, purulent exudate
- Cytology: G+ diplococci
- Severe bacteremia can occur
- Corynebacterium pneumonia
- Corynebacterium kutschi pneumonia
- Rare
- Associated with debilitation/immunosuppression
- Pet rats usually develop bronchopneumonia and bronchiectasis
- Often have coinfection with other pathogens
- Common secondary pathogen
- Can also have balanitis, arthritis, abscesses
- Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis
- Pneumonia in mice
14
Q
Respiratory Disease viral
A
- Pneumonia virus of mice (paramyxovirus)
- Sendai (paramyxovirus)
- Sialodacryoadenitis [SDA] virus (coronavirus)
15
Q
fungal resp disease agent
A
- Pneumocystis carinii
