Special species Flashcards
What should be the important aspects of a problem-solving approach to small mammal dermatology problems?
- IF SELF-TRAUMA: is this due to pruritus? pain? behavioural?
- thorough history vital to differentiate cause
What are the causes of pruritus in small mammals?
same as dogs and cats - ectoparasites, bacterial or fungal infection, hypersensitivity
Outline ectoparasites that rabbits can get - 3
- MITES: Leporacarus gibbus = Fur mite (relatively non-pathogenic), Psoroptes cuniciuli = ear mite (can cause much irritation and stress, don’t try to remove wax as you will end up removing epidermis too!), Cheyletiella parasitovroax = walking dandruff (not a big issue for the rabbit but zoonotic)
- LICE
- FLEAS
What ectoparasites do rats most commonly get?
MITES:
- Radfordia ensifera
- Notoedres muris
What ectoparasites do hamsters most commonly get?
MITES:
- Demodex criceti
- Demodex aurati
What ectoparasites do guinea pigs most commonly get?
MITES: Triacarus caviae
LICE: Gliricola porcelli, Gyropus ovalis
What ectoparasites do ferrets most commonly get?
MITES: Otodectes cynotis (ear mite), Sarcoptes scabei
FLEAS: Ctenocephalides felis felis (cat flea)
How can you treat ectoparasites in small mammals?
- Ivermectin (not much evidence for dosing interval, most vets give 1 injection weekly for 3 weekly, can also be given topically)
- OTHER: address predisposing factors, treat secondary infections, consider treatment of companions
Outline ivermectin-based treatments for small mammal ectoparasites
- Injectable formulations preferred if possible
- Topical products available on Small Animal Exemption Scheme (i.e. not on cascade so no vet prescription necessary)
What products can you use for flea prevention in ferrets?
- Moxidectin and imidacloprid (licensed)
- Fipronil and (S)-methopre (Frontline combo)
What product can you use for flea prevention in rabbits?
- Imidacloprid (Advantage, only lasts a few weeks, good for infestation)
- DON’T use fipronil (toxicity)
How do you treat bacterial skin infection in small mammals?
- clip and clean
- bandages and collars often not well-tolerated
- remember PLACE rule for oral ABs NOT to use in small herbivores (non-oral administration fine)
- 1st line treatment often trimethoprim and sulphonamides
- fluoroquinolones used after C+S if severe infection
Describe hypersensitivity in small mammals
- not well documented
- pine/cedar shavings may be a problem (aromatic so irritate skin)
- antihistamines tried in some cases but efficacy varies with individual
- avoid steroids
Outline steroid use in small mammals
- rabbits (and rodents) are very sensitive to steroids even at low doses
- SIDE EFFECTS: severe immunosuppression, flare ups of subclinical disease (pasteurellosis), hepatic lipidosis
- even topical steroids can cause problems
- generally avoid, a few rare instances where may be needed for a very short duration.
- warn owners of side effects and be prepared to stop immediately
What should you consider for non-pruritic alopecia? 9
- companions who might be overgrooming
- don’t rule out bacterial, fungal and parasitic infections as some can be non-pruritic (Dermatophytes, usually Trichophyton, treat with topical/systemic antifungals, environmental control, zoonotic)
- endocrine disorders
- hypovitaminosis C
- neoplasia
- abscesses
- pododermatitis
- myxomatosis
- flystrike
List 2 endocrine disorders causing non-pruritic alopecia in rodents
- CYSTIC OVARIES - in GPs, bilateral symmetrical flank alopecia
- HYPERADRENOCORTICISM in hamsters - alopecia, PU/PD, thin skin, pot belly, definitive diagnosis difficult (reference ranges aren’t validated for small animals)
Name 3 endocrine disorders causing non-pruritic alopecia in ferrets
- HYPEROESTROGENISM - occurs in 50% of female entire ferrets, swollen vulva, bleeding, collapse, alopecia starts at tail base then works up towards the flanks.
- HYPERADRENOCORTICISM - bilateral symmetrical alopecia, can be pruritic or non-pruritic, associated with neutering ferrets
- SEASONAL ALOPECIA - ask owners if similar signs at this time of year previously
Outline hypovitaminosis C in small mammals
- .-> non-pruritic alopecia
- GPs have absolute dietary requirement of 10mg/kg vitamin C daily
- potential underlying factor in bacterial, fungal and parasitic disesase
- SIGNS: rough coat, scaling pinnae, petechiae
Outline neoplasia as a cause of non-pruritic alopecia in small mammals
- must distinguish from normal structures (scent glands)
- high incidence of cutaneous neoplasia in hamsters
Describe abscesses as a cause of non-pruritic alopecia in small mammals
- toothpaste-like pus
- thick abscess capsule (septicaemia unlikely, hard to penetrate with ABs, cut out surgically)
- ABs need to cover anaerobic infection
- more likely in rabbits than tumours
Outline pododermatitis in small mammls
- -> non-pruritic alopecia
- hock burns found in 94% rabbits
- associated with inappropriate substrate, inactivity and weight
- Tx = topical/systemic anti-inflammatories, husbandry changes to increase movement
Outline myxomatosis as a cause of skin disease in small mammals
- pox virus
- transmission: biting insects (fleas, mosquitoes)
- SIGNS: swelling (around eyes, genitals), URT signs
- Dx = based on signs
- usually fatal if unvaccinated
Outline prevention of myxomatosis
- annual combined vaccine
- myxomatosis + viral haemorrhagic diseaes
- vaccinate from 5 weeks of age.
Describe flystrike in small mammals
- potentially fatal
- warm weather
- eggs laid on any inflamed or dirty areas, hatch over 1-3 days, develop into maggots, rapid tissue damage and possibly death
Tx - flystrike
- ALL eggs and maggots physically removed at early stage, (often sedation needed)
- intensive nursing and supportive care - pain relief, fluids, ABs
- euthanasia
Prevention - flystrike
- rabbits need checking daily in summer
- reduce flies in environment
- prevent fly eggs developing by applying Rearguard (an IGR) at high risk times
- one treatment will help prevent flystrike for 8-10 weeks.
When do most pet birds moult?
yearly - during or just after breeding season (birds can be less active due to the energy demands of moulting)
What should you do in a bird that is feather plucking?
1.) determine if the bird is truly self-traumatising - due to pruritus? pain? behavioural?
What is Psittcine beak and feather disease (PBFD)?
- circovirus
- inhaled or ingested
- affects dividing cells: sudden death, immunosuppression, feather and beak signs
What is Polyoma virus
- common in budgies
- inhaled or eaten
- may occur at same time as PBFD –>sudden death, feather abnormalities, bruising and bleeding
What is the normal structure and shedding for reptiles
- structure depends on species
- may contain osteoderms, secretory pores, sense organs
- skin shed regularly (ecdysis)
- problems usually environmental
What is dysecdysis and when does it occur?
- issues with shedding reptile skin
- often secondary to low humidity
- may be due to systemic disease
- alternatively consider local skin problems
Describe burns in small mammals
- common consequence of inappropriate heat source
- reptiles can be slow to respond to thermal pain
- prolonged tx often necessary
Which species is ivermectin contraindicated in?
Turtles and tortoises absolutely (even as a spray)
