Woodchucks

Question 1

To what family does the woodchuck belong?

Answer 1

Sciuridae

Question 2

What is the scientific name for woodchucks?

Answer 2

Marmota monax

Question 3

Are woodchucks permissive or obligate hibernators?

Answer 3

Obligate

Question 4

What are woodchucks often used to study?

Answer 4

Food intake, obesity and energy balance, endogenous circannual cycles, photoperiod entrainment of circannual cycles, seasonal breeding, hibernation and viral hepatitis –> HCC

Question 5

Woodchucks can escape enclosures through holes large enough to fit their heads. What is the maximum size that gaps can be in a woodchuck enclosure?

Answer 5

<1.5 inches

Question 6

WHV+ animals should be housed in what type of enclosure?

Answer 6

Horsfall cages/Illinois cubicles

Question 7

Can woodchucks vomit?

Answer 7

Yes

Question 8

What conditions induce hibernation in woodchucks?

Answer 8

Food withdrawal or 5-10C temperatures

Question 9

Length of gestation

Answer 9

31 days

Question 10

What diet should woodchucks be fed?

Answer 10

Commercial rabbit feed that is at least 15% protein

Question 11

What type of ovulation do woodchucks demonstrate?

Answer 11

Reflex ovulation (induced after multiple copulations). Spontaneous possible.

Question 12

What kind of uterus does a woodchuck have?

Answer 12

Complete medial septum in the uterus and two cervices

Question 13

Placentation type

Answer 13

Discoid

Question 14

Weaning age

Answer 14

6 weeks

Question 15

What is the most common cause of death in woodchucks?

Answer 15

Hepatocellular carcinoma

Question 16

What bacteria are most often isolated from folliculitis lesions?

Answer 16

Mixed staph and strep group A
P. multocida also seen

Question 17

What areas of the body are most often impacted by bacterial folliculitis?

Answer 17

Dorsum, face, limbs, inguinal area

Question 18

What is the most common cause of pneumonia in woodchucks?

Answer 18

Beta-hemolytic strep (Staph, Pasteurella, E. coli and Bordetella also seen)

Question 19

What clinpath parameters are indicative of hepatocellular carcinoma?

Answer 19

Increases in GGT and alpha-fetoprotein

Question 20

What clinical signs does Powassan virus cause in humans? How is it transmitted?

Answer 20

Encephalitis, can be fatal
Transmitted by Ixodes cookei ticks

Question 21

What type of parasite is Ackertia marmotae? Where are they found in woodchucks? How are they transmitted?

Answer 21

Nematode
Adults in the lymphatics of the liver and gall bladder; microfilaria in skin can cause dermatitis
Transmitted by Ixodes cookei (also transmits Powassan virus)

Question 22

Clinical signs of Bayliascaris in woodchucks and type of parasite?

Answer 22

CNS signs, abnormal behavior, paralysis
Nematode

Question 24

What are the most common locations of bite wounds?

Answer 24

Head, neck and limbs