special species intro

Question 1

Considerations for owning non-traditional pets

Answer 1

Legal: wildlife, endangered, pest
Ethical/ moral: not suited for gen public, adequate space, nutrition, proper care
Public health: safety, zoonotic dz, immnunocompromised people

Question 2

recommendations for new to non-traditional pets

Answer 2

reptiles: bearded dragons, small colubrid (corn snakes, garter snakes)
Captive reared small animals: ferrets, rabbits, guinea pigs
captive reared passerines and small psitticines: finches, canaries, coackatiels

Question 3

recommend against unless experienced

Answer 3

reptiles: iguanas, chameleons, monitors, large constrictors, venomous snakes, large and aquatic chelonians
birds: wild caught or large psitticines
wildlife
exotic cats, wolves or hybrids, primates

Question 4

things to consider when making recommendations

Answer 4

experience, maturity, commitment, financial, legal/ ethical issues, difficulty, animals behavior/ stress, environment, public health issue

Question 5

What to look for in a healthy ferret

Answer 5

bright, clear eyes and clean teeth
curious, playful attitude
smooth, glistening full coat
dry or slightly moist nose
clean tai region
supple, elongated abdomen
no lumps or bumps

Question 6

Ferret Color variations

Answer 6

albino, sable, cinnamon, dark-eyed white, silver

Question 7

Sexing a ferret

Answer 7

Males: larger and larger, wider, rounder heads, also have penis mid belly and two testicles behind the anus
Female: esp in heat has large vulva prior to anus

Question 8

Distraction Equipment for ferret

Answer 8

nutrical, ferretvite, ferritone (oil), syringe

Question 9

Ferret Restraint techniques

Answer 9

Scruffing

holding on chest and thighs

Question 10

Ferret Preventative Medicine

Answer 10

Canine distemper (like dog) - 2-3 vaccines, 3-4 weeks apart than annually
Rabies: check local laws
vaccine reactions are common

Question 11

Rabbit breeds

Answer 11

fuzzy lop, american rabbit, cinnamon rabbit, dutch rabbit, french angora, mini lop, rex rabbit

Question 12

Sexing Rabbits

Answer 12

Female: vulva by anus, sometimes “winks”
male: two testes and has penis, when pushed will sometimes protrude

Question 13

Rabbit Restraint

Answer 13

scruff with head away from holder, support rear end and hind legs to prevent kicking
struggling can lead to lumbar vertebrae which necessitates euthanasia
never restrain or lift by the ears
if struggle place on solid surface and calm

Question 14

Sexing Guinea Pigs

Answer 14

both male and female guinea pigs display similar ano-genital distances
Female: separate urethral orifice, vaginal membrane, perineal sac, and an anus
Male: penis and larger perineal sac and anus
penis lies just under skin and can be inverted with gentle pressure

Question 15

Hamsters

Answer 15

syrian or golden
chinese or gray
russian dwarf

Question 16

Sexing Hamsters

Answer 16

Male: noticeable testicles and more developed penis
Female: second hole is closer to anus

Question 17

Restraint of hamsters

Answer 17

scruff, put in cup

Question 18

Healthy Rats

Answer 18

bright shiny eyes
curious behavior
no wheezing, sneezing or nasal discharge
firm body weight
no lumps, bumps, knots, scabs

Question 19

sexing Rats

Answer 19

males have penis just before testes and then anus at very back
females: have navel than nipples just before uterus then anus

Question 20

Rat Restraint

Answer 20

tail base to pick up, place fingers around base of neck and over thorax for restraint
use tubes, plastic bags to isolate various body parts

Question 21

Chinchilla Restraint

Answer 21

hold by chest and with tail tucked in or along arm with hand around tail base