Small Mammals: Rabbit, Guinea Pig, and Rodent Flashcards by Sarah Sabler

When are antibiotics indicated for rabbit GI stasis?

Long standing cases or if shocky with mucoid feces

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What does hypothermia in a sick rabbit indicate?

Shock

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If you suspect GI bloat in a guinea pig, what drugs should you be sure to administer?

Analgesics (Buprenorphine)

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What is do you call a male and female rabbit?

Male: Buck

Female: Doe

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What is indicated by the pink arrow?

Hamster scent gland

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If you see crusts on the skin of a hamster, what are your 2 top ddx?

Demodex

T-cell lymphoma

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T/F: Neutering male rabbits is recommended because they spray and mount.

True

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What zoonotic protozoa causes paralysis in rabbits?

Encephalitozoon cuniculi

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What is the most common neoplasia in mice?

Mammary adenocarcinomas

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What are your ddx for this hamster?

Mycoses fungoides (epitheliotrophic lymphoma)

Demodex

Cushing’s disease

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T/F: The guinea pig penis has 2 openings.

True

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T/F: Guinea pigs cannot make vitamin C.

True

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What causes rabbit urine to be chalky white? Rusty orange?

Chalky = Calcium

Orange= Porphyrins

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What fracture are you trying to avoid when retraining rabbits properly by supporting the lower back?

L6 lumbar fractures

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What antibiotics are good choices for rabbits?

Quinolones

Sulfa drugs

Chloramphenicol

Mentronidazole

Azithromycin

Penicillin (Inject only!)

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What’s this and what is it used for in rabbits?

Welch-Allyn Bivalve Nasal speculum

Used to examine oral cavity - dental disease is common in rabbits

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Overgrowth of which teeth can entrap the tongue and force the mouth open?

Molars (crowns)

(NOT incisors)

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Eye trauma is common in hamsters. What is the indicated treatment?

Enucleation

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What is the most common skin tumor in guinea pigs?

Trichoepithelioma (benign sebaceous-type skin tumor)

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The dietary recommendation for rabbits is a diet high in ____ and low in ____.

Fiber (grass hay)

Carbs (timothy pellets, fruit)

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What is the preferred site for venipuncture in rabbits?

Lateral saphenous

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What is dacryocystitis?

Inflammation of the lacrimal sac (due to an obstructed duct)

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T/F: Rat bite fever is a zoonotic disese caused by Streptococcus moniliformis.

True

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T/F: Pododermatitis is a diet-related condition in rabbits.

True

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What is the #1 cancer in rabbits?

Uterine adenocarcinoma (*Occurs in near 80% in some breeds, most **intact** females develop uterine disease)*

Which teeth in rodents are open-rooted?

Incisors only

What are the 3 most common diseases in rats?

Pituitary tumors Mammary gland tumors Respiratory tract infection

What respiratory syndrome manifests as a URI with red tears?

Sialodacryoadentitis virus/SDA

What are the common respiratory tract pathogens in rats?

Sendai virus Sialodacryadenitis virus (aka SDA cvirus, coronavirus) * Mycoplasma pulmonis* (MMP) * Streptococcus pneumoniae* Cilia-associated respiratory bacillus

T/F: Beta-lactams, cephalosporins, oral penicillins, and mycin drugs are counter-indicated in rabbits.

True ## Footnote *Selective gam-postive ABs (e.g. clindamycin, lincomycin, erythromycin) result in Clostridium overgrowth*

What pathogen is the cause of enteropathies in many young hamsters? It can lead to diarrhea, instussisceptions and rectal prolapse.

*Lawsonia intracellularis*

Gastric torsions have been reported in guinea pigs with bloat. Which side should you make sure the stomach is on when you take rads?

Left

What animal is *Cavia porcellus*?

Guinea pig

What cardiovascular diseases are seen in aging hamsters?

Hereditary cardiomyopathy (Syrian hamsters) Atrial thrombosis CHF

What motility meds can be used to treat GI stasis in rabbits?

Metaclopramide Cisapride

What types of uroliths do rabbits get?

Calcium carbonate

What is normal body temp for rabbits?

101-104F

What is "Vent disease"?

Rabbit syphulus/spirochetosis/ treponematosis * Treponema cuniculi* * (note: not zoonotic, occurs in young rabbits)*

What is this rat afflicted with? What are some possible causes?

Ring tail / Annular ring constriction _Possible causes:_ Low humidity, overly absorbent bedding, trauma

What purpose do cecotropes serve for rabbits and when are they produced?

Provide B vitamins and amino acids (produced by bacteria in the cecum) Have circadian rhythm of production, made early morning/at night (**4 hours after feeding**)

T/F: Male guinea pigs are more predisposed to mammary gland tumors than females.

True ## Footnote *Note: Guinea pigs have 2 nipples in inguinal region*

How long is rabbit gestation and how long after birth before a female goes into heat?

Gestation: 30-33 days Go into **post-partum heat** (so they can get kocked up again pretty much immediatly after birth)

T/F: Epileptform seizures, cutaneous neoplasms and facial dermatitis are common conditions in gerbils. As is acariasis and trail trauma resulting in sloughing.

True

What organism is involved in nasal dermatitis of gerbils? What does the disease induce the production of?

*Staphylococcus* Porphyrins

What is the most common cause of seizures in guinea pigs?

Sarcoptic mange (*Trxacarus caviae)*

What are the extra pair of upper incisors that rabbits have called? How many of their teeth are open-rooted?

Peg teeth All teeth are open-rooted

What is a common cause of pododermatitis in guinea pigs?

Inactivity/ immobility

What role does fiber play in rabbit digestion?

Acts as a motility modifier and stimulates cecotroph formation

What common female guinea pig condition causes alopecia and uterine bleeding? What are some possible treatments?

Cystic ovaries (75% occurence) Tx: OVH (difficult), **Leuprolide**, Cystorelin

What pathogen is involved in "Snuffles", the URI?

*Pasteurella multocida*

What vein do you use for venipuncture in rats?

Tail vein

Which tumor in rats causes diffuse neurological signs? How is it treated?

Pituitary tumor Tx: Prednisone + Cabergoline

Why should you check the paws in a rabbit with a suspected respiratory infection?

Matted fur indicates nasal discharge

What 2 options do you have for treating incisor malocclusion in rabbits?

Cut teeth q 6-8 weeks Extraction

T/F: Rabbits are rodents.

False, **lagomorphs**

How many nasal lacrimal tear duct punctado rabbits have and where are they located?

One Located **medially** (duct runs along top of maxillary tooth roots from eye to nose)

How many ARBA recognized rabbit species are there? 10-20 40-50 60-80 100+

**40-50 (specifically 48)**

What inflammatory skin condition occurs in rabbits with thymoma?

Sebaceous adenitis

Why does dystocia occur in guinea pigs who are bred ofr the first time after 8 months of age?

Pubic symphysis closes at 8 months, if bred before then it will remain open forever

What condition should you rule out if you suspect *E. cuniculi?* How is *E.cunicli* treated?

Otitis interna *E. cuniculi* tx: Benzimidazoles (Fenbendazole or Albendazole), anti-inflammatories, steroids)

Can rodents vomit?

No, have divided stomach

A guinea pig presents to you with vague clinical signs and seems painful. Why is it important to do rads?

Could be urolithiasis, which is very common

T/F: Adenocarcinomas are the most common mammary gladn tumors in rats.

False, **fibroadenomas** are most common

What side effect does the use of selective gram-positive meds have in rabbits?

Bacterial dysbiosis in the gut (Leads to diarrhea, inappetance, endotoxemia)

What indicator can you use to determine whether a rabbit is in pain?

Inappetence

What is the treatment protocol for rabbits with dental abscesses?

Long term **parenteral penicillin** (must use anaerobic drug)

What are 2 common enteric pathogens in rabbits?

* E.coli* * Clostridium spiroforme*

T/F: The rabbit stomach is non-distensible and they are unable to vomit.

True

Are all teeth in rabbits open-rooted?

Yes, front and back

Why should diazepam not be administered IV via the ear vein in rabbits?

Causes marginal ear vein **sloughing**

The diet recommendation for guinea pigs is a diet high in ____ with no\_\_\_\_ and \_\_-\_\_\_mg of vitamin C per day.

Fiber Grain 25-50

Which antibiotics are counterindicated in guinea pigs?

Penicillins Cephalosporins

What organism causes dermatophytosis in guinea pigs? Is it pruiritic?

*Trichophyton* spp. No

A rabbit may be sedated for removal of pasted cecals. What drug is preferred and why?

Midazolam (IM) Can be reversed with flumazinel

What cause of hamster enteropathy is zoonotic?

*Hymenolepis nana* (Zoonosis is reason why all pet hamsterns need fecals)

True diarrhea in rabbits in a medical emergency. What organism is commonly responsible especially in young rabbits?

*Eimeria*