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Animal Health and Welfare 2 (Small mammals)
Questions on the husbandry, normals and health problems of a variety of small mammals. By Jo Woodnutt
61
Veterinary Medicine
Undergraduate 1
03/04/2011

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Term
What is the latin name for a mouse?
a) Mus Musculus
b) Rodentus Mousus
c) Mousus Mousus
d) Mus Mousus
Definition
a) Mus Musculus
Term
True or false?

Rats belong to the order rodentia and the family muridae
Definition
True.
Term
To what order and family do guinea pigs belong?
Definition
Rodentia caviidae
Term
What two small rodents that we deal with on a common basis belong to the family cricetidae?
Definition
Hamsters and gerbils
Term
True or false?
Guinea pigs give birth to altricial young.
Definition
FALSE- Guinea pigs actually give birth to precocial young (ie they are born fully formed, just small)
Term
Cheek pouches are a feature of which family?
Definition
Cricetidae (hamsters and gerbils)
Term
Chinchillas are a member of the chinchillidae family. Where do they originate from?
Definition
The Andes
Term
In what order and family will we find rabbits?
Definition
Lagomorphs, leporidae
Term
Which of these, A, B, or C belongs to a lagomorph?

A) 2(I1/1, C0/0, P0/0, M3/3)
B) 2(I2/1, C0/0, P3/2, M2-3/3)
C) 2(I1/1, C0/0, P1/1, M3/3)
Definition
B- Lagomorphs have a 'peg tooth' (extra incisor) behind incisors in upper jaw A belongs to rats or mice. C belongs to guinea pigs.
Term
What is the latin name for the syrian hamster?

A) Phodopus sungorus
B) Cricetulus griseus
C) Mesocricetus auratus
D) Cricetus hamsterus
Definition
C

A is the latin name for a russian hamster, B is the latin name for a chinese hamster.
Term
Which commonly seen rodent species is the only solitary rodent species?
Definition
Syrian hamster
Term
Which three rodent species are omnivorous?
Definition
Rats, mice, hamsters
Term
Which three rodents are herbivorous?
Definition
Gerbils, Guinea pigs, chinchillas
Term
What is caecotrophy, and which species practise it?
Definition
The action of eating faeces directly from the anus for nutritional purposes- all lagomorphs are capable of this, but rabbits in particular.
Term
Give one recommendation for the size of a rabbit hutch.
Definition
The rabbit should be able to stretch up fully on hindlimbs.
The rabbit should have at least 3 'hops' from one side of the cage to another
Term
How deep should gerbil bedding be?
Definition
15cm at least, for burrowing
Term
Give 2 reasons why giving animals 'toys' to play with in their cages is beneficial
Definition
Enrichment
Extra privacy
More usable surfaces
3D environment
Can aid in establishment of hierachy
Term
Which two species need a regular dust/sand-bath?
Definition
Gerbils and chinchillas
Term
For which species is it essential that you give them specially formulated food and why?
Definition
Guinea pigs- they cannot formulate own Vitamin C, so need it supplied in diet- rabbit or 'small animal' mixes won't be high enough in vitamin C.
Term
Give 3 common welfare problems related to small animal husbandry
Definition
-Caging too small
-Not enough exercise
-Diet is low in nutrition or otherwise inappropriate
-Owners get bored, particularly children, so low human interaction
-Not enough light (hutch in dark corner)
-Overheating (most cope better with cold than heat)
Term
Give two of the diseases that rabbits should be vaccinated against.
Definition
Myxomatosis (vaccinate from 6 weeks, spread by insects, no treatment)
Viral haemorraghic disease (from 5 weeks, spread by contact with infected rabbits or infected environment)
Term
Outline the procedure for spaying (ovariohistorectomy) small animals.
Definition
Ventral midline approach, ovaries and uterus removed. Sutures must be subcuticular and the animal will need a collar as it will attempt to chew. Recommended in rabbits.
Term
True or false?
Rabbits need to be wormed regularly.
Definition
True- they are wormed using a paste against intestinal worms and protozoal infections 2-4 times a year.
Term
How do you euthanise a rodent?
Definition
Intraperitoneal injection of 20% pentobarbitone (can precede with subcutaneous anaesthetic if needed)
Term
How do you euthanise a rabbit?
Definition
Sedate using subcutaneous anaesthetic, then intravenous 20% pentobarbitone
Term
What is the average lifespan for a mouse?
Definition
1.5-2.5 years
Term
What is the average weight range for an adult mouse?
Definition
20-60g
Term
In what range should a mouse's respiratory rate be?
Definition
100-250 breaths per minute
Term
In what range should a mouse's heart rate be?
Definition
500-600bpm
Term
True or false?

Rats have a higher body temperature than mice.
Definition
True- mice are about 37.5, wheras a rat's normal range is 38-39 degrees C
Term
True or false?

Rats need to eat a more than mice compared to their body size.
Definition
FALSE- rats need only 5-10g per 100g, wheras mice need 15g per 100g!
Term
What is the resting respiratory rate of a rat?
Definition
70-150 breaths per minute
Term
A rat is brought to you with a heart rat of 570bpm- is this normal?
Definition
No, the rat has tachycardia. A normal heart rate for a rat is 250-450 bpm
Term
A hamster's respiratory rate should be in the region of what?
Definition
35-130 breaths per minute
Term
Which has the longest life span- mice, hamsters or gerbils?
Definition
Gerbils can live up to 4 years whilst mice live to 2.5 and hamsters usually only live to 2.
Term
What are the normal respiratory rates and heart rates for a guinea pig?
Definition
Respiratory- 90-150 breaths per minute
Heart- 190-300 bpm
Term
What is the normal temperature range for a guinea pig?
Definition
37.2-39.5
Term
True or false?

Hamsters are the only seasonally breeding rodent.
Definition
FALSE- chinchillas are also seasonal breeders. All other rodents have polyoestrus
Term
True or false?

Gerbils form monogamous pairs
Definition
True, and the male usually helps rearing young
Term
What is the gestation period for a mouse?
Definition
19-21 days
Term
What are normal birth weights and litter sizes for mice?
Definition
6-12 pups at 1-1.5 g
Term
True or false

A mouse comes into oestrus every 21 days
Definition
FALSE- the oestrus cycle of a mouse is just 4-5 days!
Term
True or false

Hamster gestation is less than that of a mouse
Definition
TRUE- hamster gestation is only 15-18 days!
Term
Why is the gestation of a guinea pig and chinchilla so long (59-72 days, 111 days respectively) compared to other rodents?
Definition
The babies are born precocious- they are fully furred and their eyes are open.
Term
True or false?

Rabbits are 'reflex ovulators'
Definition
True- they ovulate in response to mating, about 10 hours later.
Term
How do you sex the majority of rodents?
Definition
Ano-genital distance- it is larger in males than females ('is there room for testicles between the two holes?')
Term
How can you sex a guinea pig?
Definition
The penis can be protruded in males by gentle pressure either side of the genitals. Note that BOTH SEXES have mammary glands!
Term
Give 3 common behaviours for a normal, healthy small mammal.
Definition
Lots of grooming (shiny healthy coat)
Active during waking hours
Inquisitive
Exploratory
Placid with familiar people
Term
What is the best way to prevent pododermatitis?
Definition
Good husbandry- clean, dry bedding, not obese, keeping active
Term
How can you prevent dental disease in small mammals?
Definition
Allow to chew/gnaw blocks of wood etc
Give pelleted (abrasive) rather than muesli-type food.
Adequate, natural lighting
Give adequate vitamin D and calcium
Feed hay
Feed low-energy foods
Selective breeding to remove from breed.
Term
What is the bacteria that causes most respiratory diseases in guinea pigs?
Definition
Bordatella bronchiseptica
Term
You are presented with a rabbit with dyspnoea and rattling breath sounds. It is sneezing and you can see nasal and ocular discharge, as well as swelling of the tear ducts (dacryocystitis). It has recently been rehomed from a solitary life to a family with 4 other rabbits and some guinea pigs. What would be your initial suspected diagnosis?
Definition
Respiratory system disease caused by Pasturella multocida.
Term
You are presented with a guinea pig who has become ill in the last couple of weeks. She is weak and is lame on the right hind limb. She also has swollen joints in her forelimbs and right hind, and resists her sternum and thoracic cavity being palpated. She is housed with 3 rabbits and therefore is fed on rabbit food. How would you treat her?
Definition
Vitamin C therapy, a change to guinea pig food with regular supplements and treats high in vitamin C.
Term
What breed of rabbit is this?
[image]
Definition
English lop
Term
What breed of rabbit is this?
[image]
Definition
Mini rex
Term
What colouring pattern of rabbit is this and why?
[image]
Definition
It is a black Dutch rabbit- It has a coloured back, but with a white band around the neck and shoulders, encircling whole body. The ears are coloured. The head is coloured but there is a white blaze between the ears.
Term
What breed of rabbit is this?
[image]
Definition
Himalayan
Term
What breed of rabbit is this?
[image]
Definition
Netherland dwarf
Term
What species of hamster is this?
[image]
Definition
Syrian (golden) hamster
Term
What species is this?
[image]
Definition
Chinese hamster (cricetulus griseus). Note that it is longer and thinner than a russian, and the markings are different (the dark/light line down the side of a chinese is straight, wheras in a russian it has 3 arches). It commonly has a stripe down its back.
Term
What species is this?
[image]
Definition
Russian dwarf hamster (phodopus sungorus). It can be distinguished from the chinese because the body is shorter, but fatter, and the markings seperating the dark back from the light stomach have 3 arches down the side, rather than being a straight line.
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