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Author: Gretchen Kaufman, DVM
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1. Learning Objectives and Review

1.1. Learning Objectives

  • Understand the management of dental malocclusion in the guinea pig and chinchilla
  • Know the importance of closing the inguinal ring in surgical castration of the male guinea pig and chinchilla
  • Know the antibiotics that are safe to use in the guinea pig, chinchilla, and hamster and why this is an important issue
  • Be familiar with the following diseases in the guinea pig
    • Vitamin C deficiency
    • Dystocia
    • Lymphadenitis
  • Be familiar with the following diseases of the pet rat
    • Mycoplasma
    • Mammary tumors
    • Chronic progressive nephropathy
    • Obesity
  • Be familiar with the zoonotic diseases associated with rodents
  • Understand the major issues involved in keeping wild animals such as prairie dogs, hedgehogs and sugar gliders as pets

1.2. Review and Resources on Laboratory Animal Medicine

Please review relevant material from 1st year Comparative anatomy before attending these lectures. Additional material can be found in

  • A Colour Atlas of the Anatomy of Small Laboratory Animals: Rabbit Guinea Pig by Peter Popesko, et al. available in the Wildlife Library (not for circulation).

The ICE First Step Program on Exotic Small Mammal Medicine, developed by Theresa Lightfoot, is a great supplement to this syllabus.

The following material is presented with an emphasis on companion rodents and small mammals. Information on laboratory animal medicine can be obtained from the references listed in the Introduction to Zoological Medicine course and listed below.

An excellent review of the diseases of laboratory animals can be found at: Baker, David G. Natural pathogens of laboratory mice, rats, and rabbits and their effects on research. Clinical Microbiology Reviews, vol. 11 (2), April 1998:231-266.

There is also an on-line book on the IVIS website: Laboratory Animal Medicine and Management edited by J.D. Reuter and M.A.Suckow.

The Webster library also has an excellent CD-ROM on the local network server for your review: ACLAM Lab Animal Medicine and Science Series II.

1.3. 'Pocket Pets?'

A quote from David L. Graham, D.V.M. PhD.

"Now, ponder, please that thought of the Bard's 'what's in a name?' Like, for example, 'Pocket Pets'? In my humble opinion all veterinarians should abjure use of the term 'pocket pets.'it is (at least to me and few colleagues) offensive and denigrating to the inherent uniqueness and dignity of those creatures that happen to be of such small size that they can fit into a pocket. The term suggests that such pets can be maintained in a more casual and less careful, less caring, and less thoughtful manner than is required for maintenance of other, more traditional companion animal species. Such creatures are of no lesser biological and moral consequence than are larger, more traditional pets. I'm sure that the cute alliteration of the term is a major reason for its acceptance, but I urge that some other rubric(s) be coined under which to group these relatively diminutive companion animals. Please, they are sugar gliders, gerbils, hedgehogs, mice ('wee sleekit beasties' - R. Burns), small pets, little small animals (to differentiate them from dogs and cats which are merely 'small animals'), minipets ...but please...not 'pocket pets.'"

2. Rodents

2.1. Introduction

2.1.1. Taxonomy (abbreviated list)

Order Rodentia
Suborder Sciurognathi Family Sciuridae squirrels, marmots, chipmunks, gophers, beavers, kangaroo rats, springhaas
Family Muridae rats, mice, hamsters, lemmings, voles
Suborder Hystricognathi porcupines, cavies (guinea pigs), capybaras, chinchilllas, agoutis

Free-ranging rodents are distributed worldwide and act as important members of the foodchain. They also often act as vectors of disease.

Porcupine

Captive rodents seen most often:

  • Zoos - capybara, Patagonian cavy, agouti, prairie dogs, kangaroo rat, etc. guinea pigs, pacas (aguoti paca), hutias, tree porcupine, porcupines, woodchucks, naked mole-rats, degus, etc.
  • Pets - Norway rats, mice, guinea pigs, chinchillas, hamsters, gerbils, degus, prairie dogs
  • Research Laboratory - Norway rat (varieties), mice, guinea pigs, hamsters, etc.
Critically Endangered RODENTS from IUCN http://www.redlist.org
Acomys cilicicus Gerbillus dalloni Leptomys elegans Oryzomys gorgasi
Allactaga firouz Gerbillus floweri Leptomys signatus Pappogeomys neglectus
Namdapha flying squirrel Gerbillus grobbeni Macrotarsomys ingens White-eared pocket mouse
Short-tailed chinchilla Gerbillus hoogstraali Lesser small-toothed rat Pacific pocket mouse
Mt. Isarog striped rat Gerbillus lowei Makalata occasius Perdido Key beach mouse
Crateromys paulus Gerbillus mauritaniae Mallomys gunung Peromyscus pseudocrinitus
Crunomys fallax Gerbillus occiduus Melomys rubicola Peromyscus slevini
Dendromus vernayi Gerbillus quadrimaculatus Meriones chengi Pogonomelomys bruijni
Dicrostonyx vinogradovi Gerbillus syrticus Cabrera's hutia Pseudohydromys murinus
Morro Bay kangaroo rat Heteromys nelsoni Large-eared hutia Alice Springs mouse
Giant kangaroo rat Hylopetes winstoni Dwarf hutia Pseudomys glaucus
Dipodomys insularis Isolobodon portoricensis Little earth hutia Rattus enganus
Dipodomys margaritae MacDonnel range rock-rat Microtus evoronensis Rattus montanus
Fresno kangaroo rat Northern Idaho ground squirrel Microtus mujanensis Rhagomys rufescens
Tipton kangaroo rat New Mexico least chipmunk Mus kasaicus Sicista armenica
Gerbillus principulus Hidden Forest chipmunk Garrido's hutia Sigmodontomys aphrastus
Eliurus penicillatus Mount Graham red squirrel Nectomys parvipes Tokudaia muenninki
Gerbillus bilensis Cathlamet pocket gopher Orthogeomys cuniculus Tylomys bullaris
Gerbillus burtoni Zyzomys palatilis Oryzomys galapagoensis Tylomys tumbalensis
Gerbillus cosensis Leimacomys buettneri - Typhlomys chapensis

2.1.2. Anatomical/Physiological features of note

  • Teeth
    • open rooted incisors
    • open rooted molars in cavies, chinchilla, capybara, etc.
    • closed molars in sciuridae, new world porcupines, rats and mice
  • Coprophagy
  • Hibernation in some species

2.2. General Health Issues

2.2.1. Non-infectious diseases

  • Dental ds./malocclusion
  • Woodchucks with vascular ds. - arteriosclerosis, aortic rupture, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease etc.
  • Hypervitaminosis D in captive beaver, woodchucks, pacas and agoutis eating monkey chow
  • Urinary tract ds. - calculi, chronic interstitial nephritis, chronic progressive nephrosis (rats), amyloidosis, nephrotic syndrome
  • Diabetes in degus, ground squirrels, sand rats, spiny mice, chinese hamsters

2.2.2. Infectious diseases

  • Rabies? rare, but possible, woodchuck is most commonly reported
  • Hantavirus reservoirs (see below)
  • Encephalomyocarditis virus (rat as reservoir?)
  • Parvovirus in porcupines
  • Squirrel fibromatosis - pox virus in gray squirrels
  • Woodchuck hepatitis/hepatocellular carcinoma - seen in captive animals, viral cause
  • Leptospirosis reservoirs (cotton rats, coypus, beavers, muskrats, woodchucks, voles, P. cavies, squirrels, deer mice), does not produce disease in the rodent but act as vectors for spread of the organism
  • Borreliosis reservoirs (mice)
  • Pseudotuberculosis Y. pseudotuberculosis, Y. enterocolitica (chinchillas, agoutis, beavers, lemmings, voles, mice, muskrats, coypus, prairie dogs, ground squirrels)
  • Yersinia pestis (prairie dogs)
  • Tyzzers ds. occurs in many
  • Fungal dermatitis
  • Aspergillosis (capybaras)
  • Parasites - variety of mites, tick, fleas, lice and fly larvae (myiasis, cuterebra), variety of helminths common, protozoa usually without disease, coccidia most likely to cause disease.
chipmunk

2.2.2.1. FOCUS ON Hantavirus

Bunyavirus >>> Hantaviruses

Characteristics of some recognized Hantaviruses
Hantavirus strain Geographic distribution Primary wild reseveoir Primary disease syndrome
Hantaan China, Korea, East Russia Striped field mouse Classic disease (below)
Rat-borne (Seoul) Worldwide (incl.US) Rats Milder disease
Puumala Europe Vole, House mouse Mild nephropathy
Sin Nombre US Deer mouse Pulmonary syndrome

Hantaviruses are an extremely diverse group of viruses which have probably been around for a long time, many as yet undescribed. The primary wild reservoir host is always a rodent species. Hantavirus does not cause disease in the rodent host. Virus is found in rodent kidney and lungs, and the rodent will produce antibodies to the virus. Virus is shed in the saliva, urine and feces. It is transferred horizontally from rodent to rodent. The virus likely occurs in many different rodent species and may be capable of moving from one to another rodent species but each strain seems to prefer a single species host. Hantaviral antigen has also been detected in non-rodent species such as birds of prey, cats, and the desert cottontail associated with the recent "Four Corner's" outbreak. Transmission from the non-rodent hosts is unlikely.

The classical human disease associated with hantavirus infection is a renal and hemorrhagic syndrome first described in the1930's in Korea (especially prominent during the Korean War). The virus was not isolated until 1978. Now recognized all over the globe with hotspots in Scandinavia and northeastern Asia.

Currently 100,000 - 150,000 cases/year recorded in China alone! Likely attributable to rice farming techniques?

2.2.2.1.1. North American forms of the virus

The first Hantavirus identified in the US was the "Prospect Hill" strain found in the meadow voles, Microtus pennsylvanicus in Maryland and the Midwest. No human disease produced.

Human disease first recognized in the US in May, 1993 as the "Four Corner's" strain: this New Mexico disease was seen in previously healthy adults with sudden onset of fever and ARDS. Most patients died quickly with pulmonary edema and respiratory failure. These are atypical symptoms of the other known hanataviruses. PCR testing of patients and local rodents implicated the deer mouse Peromyscus maniculatusas the major vector/reservoir of the Southwestern outbreak. 20-30% of trapped animals proved positive for serology or PCR. Serologic evidence also confirms the virus in the pinon mouse (P.truei), brush mouse (P.boylii), house mouse (Mus musculus), harvest mouse (Reithrodontomys sp.), rock squirrel (Spermophalus vaiegatus), white-throated wood rat (Neotoma albigula), the western chipmunk (Tamias sp.) and others.

By December 1993: 48 confirmed cases of human hantavirus pulmonary syndrome in the US from 14 different states (majority in N. Mexico, Arizona, Colorado and Utah). 60% mortality.

Investigation into previous cases with similar clinical presentation: earliest confirmed in 1975 (N.Mexico)1991, Oregon, Louisiana (slightly different virus from Peromysicus gossypinus, the cotton mouse)

The "Four Corner's" and Louisiana strain are genetically related to the Prospect Hill strain, but are very different from the other strains (indicating that it is not a recent mutation). Three new strains have since been identified in various parts of the US and Canada.

Predisposing factors leading to the "Four Corner's" outbreak: El Nino produced an extremely wet winter - large rodent food supply - large rodent reproductive year. 10-fold increase in rodents from May 1992- May1993.

2.2.2.1.2. Disease in humans

Virus is transmitted to humans through contact (via inhalation) with rodents or rodent excreta - feces and urine. Rodent bites may also result in infection. Human to human transmission has not been documented.

Classic disease (old world) in humans is hemorrhagic fever and renal complications.

Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome: history of contact, several days later development of fever, mylagia, headache, gastrointestinal signs followed by cough, cardiopulmonary dysfunction, respiratory failure and shock. No renal involvement in any of the cases!! Mean time from first symptoms to death 7 days.

Early diagnosis is obviously important for successful treatment. Incubation period for HPS is felt to be from 1-3 weeks. Symptoms including flu-like signs without upper respiratory component but including a GI complication and a typical hematologic profile should alert medical personnel. History of exposure helps. Rapid serology is available (U. of New Mexico) and PCR has been instrumental in confirming cases (Rockefeller University Laboratory Animal Research Center). The CDC has very strict guidelines for diagnosis of potential and confirmed cases.

See their website for more information at: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/hanta/hantvrus.htm

This disease is now being diagnosed on a regular basis in humans in both North and South America. The mortality rate has drastically reduced since wider recognition and early intervention has become possible.

2.3. Guinea Pigs

Cavia porcellus Guinea Pig

The guinea pig is an herbivorous rodent originating in South America. It was domesticated as early as 1000 BC.

Guinea pigs are still raised for food in South America, and used as pets and research animals around the world.

2.3.1. Basic physiologic and anatomic parameters

LIFE SPAN 4-6 yrs.
HEART RATE 230 - 380 bpm
RESP RATE 42 - 104/min.
RECTAL TEMP. 98.8 - 103.1
SEXUAL MATURITY 3 mo.(M), 2 mo.(F)

Guinea pigs have classic rodent dentition with two upper and lower incisors designed for gnawing and 1 premolar and 3 molar teeth on either side of the maxilla and mandible designed for grinding rough vegetation. All teeth are open rooted. Guinea pigs are monogastric hindgut fermenters as the rabbit.

  • Incisors 1/1
  • Canines 0/0
  • Premolars 1/1
  • Molars 3/3

Anatomic and physiologic peculiarities include:

  • no tail
  • only 2 inguinal nipples
  • large adrenal glands
  • very large vesicular accessory sex glands in the male
  • large open inguinal ring
  • Kurloff bodies
  • extended gestation period (59-72 days)
  • precocial young
  • yeast is normal GI flora
Blood smear

2.3.2. Special considerations for husbandry and nutrition

Guinea pigs are easy to care for. They can be kept in open cages since they are poor climbers or jumpers. They are normally kept on pine shavings.The more appealing cedar shavings should never be used for small animal bedding due to the potential hepatotoxicity from the phenol compounds in the shavings. Shavings must be changed frequently since urine buildup may produce ammonia toxicity with resultant increased susceptibility to respiratory infections or contribute to pododermatitis.

Guinea pigs are normally fed a diet including fresh good quality Guinea pig pellets and fresh fruits and vegetables. Course roughage such as hay may predispose the pig to lymphadenitis. Guinea pigs have an absolute dietary vitamin C requirement. Like some other New World species they are unable to make vitamin C. A deficiency will result in scurvy and eventual death from secondary complications.

Clinical signs of scurvy include a poor hair coat, anorexia, gingivitis, generalized pain, arthropathy especially at costochondral junctions, diarrhea, and respiratory infections. Vitamin C is normally added to all good quality guinea pig diets (pellets). Some owners will also supplement their pigs with fresh citrus fruit daily, or give OTC vitamin C supplements. Pelleted diets must be stored adequately (dry and cool, 22C) to preserve the vitamin content. 3 months after the date of manufacture, the vitamin C content cannot be guaranteed. Often times, the date of manufacture and the storage history prior to purchase of the pellets is unknown, allowing for problems to arise. Always supplement with vitamin C for any disease condition. Subclinical deficiency likely contributes to many disease states. Guinea pigs should never be fed rabbit pellets because they do not have vitamin C added.

Vitamin C Supplementation in the Guinea Pig
200-1000 mg/L in drinking water (fresh daily)
800 mg/kg of pelleted diet (milled)
OR
50 mg/guinea pig/day

2.3.3. Basic diagnostic approaches

  • Blood collection in the guinea pig can be performed at various sites including the jugular (difficult), pre-caval, lateral saphenous vein and the cephalic vein.
  • Radiographs can be performed with manual restraint or light sedation (see formulary).
  • Ketamine and valium work well for sedation.
  • Oral examinations (malocclusion) may initially be performed with an ear speculum, but a complete examination must be performed under sedation.

2.3.4. Basic therapeutic approaches

Guinea pigs are even more sensitive and susceptible to antibiotic induced enterotoxemia than rabbits. Great care must be taken to choose appropriate antibiotics and use them only when necessary. The drugs listed as "safe" for rabbits are also safe in the guinea pig. Guinea pigs are often infected with Gram (+ ) infections and selection of antibiotics should take this into account.

Oral medication is commonly prescribed for home use and is easy for the owner to administer (antibiotic precautions hold especially for oral meds). IM, SQ administration is similar to rabbits and other small mammals. IV access is challenging utilizing the saphenous or cephalic sites. IO catheters chould be considered when appropriate.

Injectable vitamin C can be given to guinea pigs in the hospital setting. Vitamin C supplementation is recommended for all disease states to eliminate the possibility of subclinical deficiency.

2.3.5. Common problems/diseases

  • Scurvy (see above)
  • Cystic calculi/urolithiasis
    • Calcium usually involved
    • Surgical removal of urinary calculi not uncommon
  • Diabetes - similar to adult onset diabetes in humans

Gastrointestinal disorders

  • Molar malocclusion "slobbers"
    • Very common in chinchillas and guinea pigs
    • Most likely dietary cause, type of roughage being offered
    • Clinical signs - anorexia, weight loss, appearing hungry but dropping food, salivation
    • Tongue (lower arcade) or cheek (upper arcade) lacerations causing pain
    • Requires examination and regular trimming under sedation (see end of chapter for special dental instrument pack) ; use of a dental bur is best method
    Guinea Pig
    Molar malocclusion in a guinea pig
  • Cecal impaction
  • Gastrointestinal ileus
    • Following fasting or anorexia
    • Following GI surgery (terminal?)
    • Challenging to return motility
  • Cloacal impactions
  • Diarrhea (dietary, parasitic, bacterial)
    • Early dx. and aggressive supportive care needed
    • Life threatening enterotoxemia

Reproductive disorders

  • dystocia
    • must breed before 7 mos. of age
    • pubic symphysis calcifies after this age and large offspring cannot fit
    • may present as surgical emergency
  • Pregnancy toxemia (relationship to obesity, fatty liver)
  • Cystic ovaries
Guinea pig
Inguinal herniation following dystocia in a guinea pig

Dermatitis

  • Fungal (ringworm, yeast)
    • Trichophyton mentagrophytes
    • Microsporum canis
  • Mites
    • Cheyletiella
    • Trixacarus cavaie
    • Treat with Ivermectin
  • Lice
  • Fleas
  • Barbering
  • Pododermatitis
Acariasis

Viral diseases

  • Adenovirus
  • Cytomegalovirus (Herpes)
  • Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCM) - Guinea pigs not reported to transmit to people (see other rodents)
  • Parainfluenzavirus

Bacterial diseases

  • "Lumps" cervical lymphadenopathy (Streptococcus zooepidemicus, Streptobacillus moniliformis)
  • Pneumonia and rhinitis (Bordatella bronchiseptica, Streptococcus zooepidemicus, others)
  • Conjuncitivitis (above pathogens and Chlamydophila caviae)
  • Enterotoxemia
  • Tyzzer's disease
  • Pododermititis

Parasitic diseases

  • Ectoparasites (above)
  • Eimeria caviae
  • Cryptosporidium wrairi
  • Balisascaris procyonis
  • Encephalitozoon

Neoplastic diseases

  • Benign skin tumors
  • Fibrosarcoma
  • Lipomas
  • Mammary fibroadenoma or adenocarcinoma
  • Leukemia/lymphosarcoma

2.3.6. Surgery and Anesthesia

Sedation is often used for restraint or minor procedures in the guinea pig. Injectable anesthetics such as Ketamine, diazepam, xylazine are very effective. Major surgical procedures should be performed under inhalation anesthesia. Intubation is difficult in the guinea pig, except in the hands of experienced personnel. Therefore it is not recommended for the occasional surgery. In general, guinea pigs do very well with mask administration of isoflurane. Procedures such as neutering, caesarian section, tumor removal, etc. are usually safely carried out with mask anesthesia. An intravenous or intraosseous catheter and fluid support is recommended. Catheters can be placed in the saphenous or cephalic veins. Subcuticular closures without external skin sutures are recommended since guinea pigs like to chew their incisions.

Anesthesia

Neutering is occasionally performed for birth control reasons. The inguinal ring in the guinea pig is very large. Castration must include closure of the inguinal ring. Dystocias may also involve herniation into the inguinal ring. Caesarian section is probably the most common cause for emergency surgery in the guinea pig.

Gastrointestinal surgery is sometimes required for removal of foreign bodies such as trichobezoars. An enterotomy carries with it a grave prognosis. The gut of the guinea pig does not tolerate much invasion and usually responds with an intractable ileus.

2.4. Chinchillas

2.4.1. Basic physiologic and anatomic parameters

Chinchilla

The chinchilla is closely related to the Guinea Pig. They differ in that they are generally smaller in size, have a long furry tail, and live a lot longer. They were bred for their wonderful soft coats for the fur coat industry, but have since become very popular pets. They are currently protected as wild animals in their natural range in the Andes mountains.

LIFE SPAN 8-12 yrs.
HEART RATE 180 - 380 bpm
RESP RATE N/A
RECTAL TEMP. 96.8 - 100
SEXUAL MATURITY 3 mo.
  • Chinchillas have an even longer gestation period than the guinea pig (111-128 days)
  • Very precocial young
  • They are nocturnal and like to burrow during the day.
  • They are very intolerant of hot weather.

2.4.2. Special considerations for husbandry and nutrition

Chinchillas are generally kept caged in a large enclosure in the house. They are very attracted to chewing electric cords and should not be left out unsupervised. They should have a place to burrow or hide in the cage. Unlike the guinea pig, chinchillas can jump and climb fairly well. Chinchillas must have a dust bath, preferably daily. This consists of a bowl with a special mixture of silver sand and Fuller's earth (available at pet stores). The dust bath can be witheld or limited in situations with open wounds or conjunctivitis, etc.

The chinchilla is normally fed chinchilla pellets, hay and a variety of fresh greens, nuts and fruits. They can also be fed rabbit pellets since they do not have a special requirement for Vitamin C. They like raisins and yogurt drops especially and care should be taken not to overdo the treats.

2.4.3. Basic diagnostic approaches

  • Venipuncture sites are as in the guinea pig.
  • Radiology is also very similar to the guinea pig.
  • Normal blood values are listed at the end of this chapter.
Blood sampling

2.4.4. Basic therapeutic approaches

Chinchillas also have a very sensitive GI flora and are susceptible to enterotoxemia. They also suffer from Gram (+) infections. The same medications recommended for the rabbit and the guinea pig are recommended for the chinchilla.

2.4.5. Common problems/diseases

Slobbers
  • "Slobbers" molar malocclusion (more common than in the guinea pig)
  • Heat stroke (optimal ambient temperature 65-80F)
  • Electrocution
  • Thiamine deficiency (neurologic)

Dermatitis

  • Barbering
  • Fungal (Trichopyton mentagrophytes), yeast
  • Fur mites
  • Fur slip

Gastrointestinal disorders

  • Intestinal ileus
  • Constipation (dehydration)
  • Trichobezoar (hairball)
  • Intussusception
  • Mucoid enteritis, enterotoxemia
  • Bacterial enteritis
  • Protozoal enteritis (Giardia)

Bacterial disorders

  • Pneumonia
  • Salmonella enteritis
  • Listeria enteritis and encephalitis
  • Yersinia pseudotuberculosis (diarrhea, encephalitis)
  • Abscesses following fighting

Parasitic disorders

  • Ectoparasites (above)
  • Giardia
  • Cryptosporidia
  • Balisascaris procyonis

2.5. Hamsters, Gerbils, Rats and Mice

Species Life span Heart rate Resp rate Rectal temp Sexual maturity Gestation Weaning age
Hamster 1.5-2 yrs. 250-500/min. 35-135/min. 98.6- 100.4 10 wk (M) 6 wk (F) 15-16 d. 20-25 d.
Gerbil 3-4 yrs. 360/min. 90/min. 98.6- 101.3 70 d.(M) 65 d. (F) 27-48 d. 20-26 d.
Rat 2-3 yrs. 250-450/min. 70-115/min. 96.8- 99.5 65 days 21-23 d. 21 d.
Mouse 1.5-3 yrs. 325-780/min. 60-220/min. 97.7- 100.4 50 days 19-21 d. 21-28 d.

2.5.1. Hamsters

  • Syrian (golden) Mesocricetus auratus
  • Chinese (Siberian) Cricetus griseus
  • Armenian
  • European
  • Teddy Bear
Hamster

Hamsters should be kept alone. Fighting is common. They are nocturnal and will hibernate at temperatures below 5 degrees C. They possess large bilateral flank scent glands that can become impacted. They are used extensively in research due to their immune system peculiarities (cheek pouches).

2.5.1.1. Common problems and diseases

  • Ammonia toxicity (poor cage hygiene), and phenol toxicity (cedar shavings)
  • Enterotoxemia :
    • most acutely sensitive of the rodents
    • Use only SAFE antibiotics as listed for rabbits and guinea pigs
  • Proliferative ileitis "wet tail" (Lawsonia intracellularis), often with prolapse
    • Agressive supportive therapy
    • Antibiotics
  • Tyzzer's disease (Cl. piliformes)
  • Diabetes mellitus (hereditary)
  • Renal amyloidosis
  • Urolithiasis
  • Neoplasia, impaction of the flank glands
  • Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCM)ZOONOTIC mice are natural host
  • Tapeworms (hymenolepis nana) ZOONOTIC
  • Demodex
  • Lymphosarcoma
  • Adrenocortical adenomas (Cushings, hairloss) Lysodren therapy
  • Malnutrition (low protein) induced hairloss
  • Staph pyoderma

2.5.2. Gerbils

Gerbils are generally less aggressive and more compatible then hamsters. They are still best kept alone. They are hardier than hamsters. Gerbils have tails.

2.5.2.1. Common problems and diseases

  • Tyzzer's disease
  • Salmonellosis
  • Hymenolepis nana tapeworms
  • Demodex
  • Cystic ovaries
  • Multiple tumors (> 2years of age)
  • Hereditary epilepsy, precipitated by stress

2.5.3. Rats

Rattus norvegicus - laboratory rat (albino), hooded rat ("Long Evans stock") ... many strains!!

Pet rat

Rats are a surprisingly good companion animal: intelligent and responsive. However they have a short life span ( 2-3 years). Rats are omnivorous and have a tendancy for obesity. Chromodacryorrhea can be very pronounced in the rat (porphyrins in the urine and other glandular secretions such as tears and nasal discharge).

2.5.3.1. Common problems and diseases

  • Mycoplasma - pneumonia, reproductive disease, arthritis, encephalitis
  • Tyzzer's disease
  • Subcutaneous abscesses
  • Staph pyoderma
  • Ringworm - trichophyton spp.
  • Ammonia toxicity
  • Self-mutilation
  • Chronic progressive nephropathy (old age disease)
  • Obesity

Viral diseases

  • Parvovirus
  • Sialodacryoadenitis virus (coronavirus) - respiratory
  • Sendai virus (PI I virus, more important in mice) - respiratory
  • Bunya virus - Hanta virus

Parasitic diseases

  • PinwormsSyphacia muris
  • Aspicularis teraptera, another oxyurid
  • Tapeworms - Taenia taeniaformis (intermediate host for cat)
  • Hymenolepis nanaZOONOTIC
  • Mites (several species)
  • Fleas
Rat Meds

Neoplasia

  • Mammary fibroadenoma
    • Both males and females
    • Grow rapidly!
    • Easily resected, but may recur
  • Mammary adenocarcinoma
  • Squamous cell carcinoma
  • Pituitary adenoma
  • Uterine, ovarian and vaginal carcinomas
  • MANY strain specific tumors
Mammary tumor

2.5.4. Mice

Mice are rarely seen in small animal practice. They are extensively used in research and well understood from a laboratory animal perspective.

Mouse
Scabies in pet mouse

2.5.4.1. Common problems and diseases

  • Barbering
  • Neoplasia (variety)

Bacterial diseases

  • Tyzzer's disease (first described in mice!) - death, diarrhea
  • Salmonella
  • Streptococcus - respiratory
  • Mycoplasma - respiratory, encephalitis

Viral diseases

  • Mousepox
  • Cytomegalovirus (worse for young)
  • Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (arenavirus) - ZOONOTIC, neurologic, sudden death
  • Sendai virus - respiratory
  • Pneumonia virus of mice (Paramyxovirus)
  • MANY other viruses of importance to lab animal medicine

Parasitic diseases

  • Toxoplasmosis (intermediate host)
  • Pinworms Syphacia obvelata
  • Aspicularis teraptera, another oxyurid
  • Tapeworms - Taenia taeniaformis (intermediate host for cat)
  • Hymenolepis nanaZOONOTIC
  • Mites (several species)
  • Ringworm

2.6. Prairie Dogs

2.6.1. Basic data

  • Rodents in the Sciuridae family
  • Ethical issues surrounding management of wild populations and taking for pets
  • Legal in many states to take from wild; large export market to Japan
  • Black tailed prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) being considered for protection
  • Utah prairie dog (Cynomys parvidens) listed as threatened
  • Mexican prairie dog (Cynomys mexicanus) listed as endangered
  • Dangers of Yersinia pestis

2.6.2. Care and husbandry tips

  • Do not keep in wire cages - dental injuries
  • Main diet of rodent block, grass hay
  • AVOID dog food or monkey chow, excessive Vitamin D

2.6.3. Health issues

  • Ectoparasites, fleas
  • Ringworm
  • Pasteurella abscesses
  • Pododermatitis
  • Yersinia pestis plague, high mortality, ZOONOTIC
  • Other zoonoses: Tuleremia, Monkey Pox
  • Dental disease
  • Obesity
  • Respiratory problems due to pasteurella, pulmonary mites, dental disease
  • Baylisascaris
  • Antibiotic choices as for rabbits and guinea pigs

For more information on prairie dogs see references

2.7. Tables of Normal Values for Various Rodent Species

2.7.1. COMPLETE BLOOD COUNT

Red blood cells Guinea pig Chinchilla Hamsters Gerbil Rat Mouse
PCV (%) 35 - 50 25 - 54 40 - 52 35 - 45 40 - 50 35 - 50
RBC (106/l) 4.5 - 7.0 5.2 - 10.3 4 - 9.3 8.3 - 9.3 7.2 - 9.6 9.3 - 10.5
Hb (g/dl) 11 - 15 8.0 - 15.4 9.7 - 16.8 10 - 16 14.8 12 - 14.9
MCV (fl) 81 32.1 - 69.2 - - - -
MCHC (%) 30 20 - 38.5 - - - -
MCH (pg) 25 10.4 - 19.8 - - - -
White blood cells - - - - - -
WBC (103/l) 5 - 12 1.6 - 45.1 7 - 15 9 - 14 8 - 14 8 - 14
Neutrophil (%) 28 - 34 1 - 78 16 - 28 10 - 20 30 26
Lymphocyte (%) 39 - 72 19 - 98 64 - 78 70 - 89 65 - 77 55 - 80
Monocyte (%) 3 - 12 0 - 5 2 0 4 5
Eosinophil (%) 1 - 5 0 - 9 1 1 1 3
Basophil (%) 0 - 3 0 - 11 0 0 0 0

2.7.2. SERUM BIOCHEMISTRY

Chemistry compound Guinea pig Chinchilla Hamster Gerbil Rat Mouse
ALT (U/l) 10 - 25 - 22 - 122 - 25 - 42 32 - 41
AST (U/l) - - 22 - 128 - - -
CPK (U/l) - - 263 - 793 - - -
LDH (U/l) - 406 - 636 148 - 412 - - -
Total protein (g/dl) 4.6 - 6.2 3.29 - 4.61 5.8 - 7.0 4.8 - 16.8 - -
Albumin (g/dl) 2.1 - 3.9 - 3.5 - 4.9 - - -
Globulin (g/dl) 1.7 - 2.6 - - - - -
BUN (mg/dl) 9 - 31.5 - 10 - 40 16.8 - 31.3 10 - 20 8 - 30
Creatinine (mg/dl) 0.6 - 2.2 - 0.4 - 1.0 0.50 - 1.40 - -
Total Bilirubin (mg/dl) 0.3 - 0.9 0 - 0.23 0.3 - 0.4 0.20 - 0.60 0.42 0.18 - 0.54
Glucose (mg/dl) 60 - 125 89.0 - 163.0 32.6 - 118.4 69 - 141 50 - 115 108 - 192
Cholesterol (mg/dl) 20 - 43 96.0 - 147.0 55 - 181 90.0 - 130.0 - -
Triglycerides (mg/dl) 0 - 145 - 72 - 227 - - -
Sodium (mEq/l) 146 - 152 - 106 - 185 144 - 158 144 114 - 154
Chloride (mEq/l) 98 - 115 96.6 - 113.0 - 93.0 - 118.0 - -
Potassium (mEq/l) 6.8 - 8.9 3.3 - 6.3 2.3 - 9.8 3.0 - 4.6 5.9 3.0 - 9.6
Calcium (mg/dl) 5.3 4.40 - 10.0 9.8 - 13.2 3.70 - 6.20 - -
Phosphorus (mg/dl) 5.3 4.70 - 7.0 3.0 - 9.9 3.7 - 7.2 - -

3. Other Small Mammals

3.1. Hedgehogs

There currently exists a "fad" with captive bred African Pygmy or Central African hedgehogs (Atelerix albiventris). Other species (14) of hedgehog also occur in Africa, Europe and Asia. Much is written about the widely protected European hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus), but little is known about the others.

Hedgehog

3.1.1. Basic data

  • Weight 250 - 600g, live 5-10 years in captivity, 3-4 years in the wild
  • Rectal temp. 95.2F
  • Temperate climate, lots of cover, hibernate at low temperatures < 65F (discourage in captivity)
  • Solitary and nocturnal
  • Insectivores (with rare vegetation)
  • Roll up as a defensive reaction
  • "self-anointing" or "anting" behavior in response to foreign materials
  • Exquisite sense of smell
Anting

3.1.2. Husbandry

  • Need secure cage (can climb) with smooth walls and bottom
  • Clean frequently
  • Bedding of shredded newspaper, pine or aspen shavings
  • Hide box
  • Cover preferred
  • 75-85F, will hibernate at low temps., suffer heat stress at higher temps.
  • Exercise/environmental enrichment important (special exercise wheel)
  • Keep solitary, rarely can be housed in compatible groups if cage is large enough
Hedgehog jog

3.1.3. Diet

  • Natural diet of insects, crustaceans and vegetable matter.
  • Captive diet
    • Commercial diet (preferred) or dry cat food (high protein, low cal)
    • Worms, mealworms, crickets, etc.
    • Fruits and vegetables.
  • Learn to drink from a sipper bottle.
  • Prone to obesity.
Hedgehog
Obese hedgehog with mites

3.1.4. Restraint

  • Examination difficult: usually need drugs!
  • Isoflurane is recommended.
  • Use gloves for handling.

3.1.5. Health issues

Acariasis
  • MANY internal parasites (esp. in wild-caught), including lungworm
  • Ectoparasites extremely common - mites, ticks and fleas
  • OK to use ivermectin (0.2 mg/kg) and pyrethrin based shampoos
  • Papillomas
  • Fungal dermititis, Trychophyton mentagrophytes var. echinacei
  • Bordetella and Pastuerella rhinitis and pneumonia
  • Salmonella, Yersinia pseudotuberculosis and GI infections
  • Abscesses (incl. mycobacterium)
  • Foot and mouth disease virus - oral lesions (native African animals only)
  • Neoplasia very common - multiple organs: squamous cell carcinoma, mast cell, fibrosarcoma
  • Obesity, hepatic lipidosis, skin fold dermatitis
  • Oral foreign bodies, dental ds.
  • Congestive heart failure/cardiomyopathy
  • Interstitital nephritis
  • Neurologic demyelinating disease (NEW)

3.2. Sugar Gliders

The sugar glider has recently become a popular exotic pet, available in many states, but still illegal in MA. It is a true marsupial in the possum family from Australia and New Guinea: Petaurus brevicepts. Animals available in the US are captive bred.

3.2.1. Basic data

  • Nocturnal
  • Marsupial reproduction
  • Social habits (6-10 in a group in the wild) DO NOT KEEP THEM ALONE
  • Patagium forms the gliding membrane as in a flying squirrel
  • Body weight 90-130 g., males > females
  • Cloacal temperature 90 F
  • Life span 10-12 yrs. in captivity

3.2.2. Husbandry and nutrition

  • Need lots of space and lots of socialization/attention (min. cage 20"x20"x36")
  • Wire caging OK, with climbing structures and nest box or sleeping pouch high in cage
  • Ideal ambient temperature 75-80 F
  • Natural diet
    • Sap/gum from eucalyptus and acacia
    • Nectar/pollen, manna, honeydew
    • Insects and spiders
    • Variable with the season
  • Captive diet (beware of erroneous literature)
    • Nectar
    • Insects and other protein (eggs, pinkies, high quality cat food)
    • Limited fruits and vegetables
    • Commercial sugar glider diets
    • Vitamin and mineral supplement (esp. calcium)

3.2.3. Health issues

  • Malnutrition
  • Obesity
  • Metabolic bone disease
  • Dental disease; DO NOT trim incisors, these are not rodents!
  • Infectious diseases
    • Pasteurellosis
    • C. piliforme
    • Giardiasis
    • Cryptosporidiosis
    • Toxoplasmosis
  • Lymphoid neoplasias
  • Self mutilation, stress associated
  • Trauma

4. Ancillary Material

4.1. Readings

4.1.1. Articles and Texts

Lightfoot, Teresa L. ICE First Step Program 2003

ACLAM Lab Animal Medicine and Science Series II CD-Rom available on the local network in the computer lab in the Webster library. Great resource!!

Baker, David G. Natural pathogens of laboratory mice, rats, and rabbits and their effects on research. Clinical Microbiology Reviews, vol. 11 (2), April 1998:231-266.

Bennett, R. Avery. Husbandry and medicine of prairie dogs. Proceedings of the Annual Convention and Expo of the Association of Avian Veterinarinas, 2000, pp. 79-83.

Bennett, R. Avery. Husbandry and medicine of hedgehogs. Proceedings of the Annual Convention and Expo of the Association of Avian Veterinarinas, 2000, pp. 109-114.

Booth, RJ. General husbandry and medical care of sugar gliders. IN Kirk's Current Veterinary Therapy XIII. Bonagura JD, ed. Philadelphia : W.B. Sauders, 2000, pp. 1157-1163.

Capello, Vittorio. Pet Hamster Medicine and Surgery - Part II: Clinical evaluation and therapeutics. Exotic DVM, v. 3.4, 2001: 33-39.

Capello, Vittorio. Dental diseases and surgical treatment in pet rodents. Exotic DVM, 5.3 July 2003: 21-27.

Childs, James E., et al. Surveillance and spatiotemporal associations of rabies in rodents and lagomorphs in the United States, 1985-1994. Journal of Wildlife Diseases, 33 (1), 1997, pp. 20-27.

Done LB, et al. Necropsy lesions by body systems in African hedgehogs (Atelerix albiventris): clues to clinical diagnosis. Proc Joint Meeting AAZV/AAWV 1992, pp. 110-112.

Fowler, Murray E. and Miller, R. Eric. Zoo and Wild Animal Medicine, 5th ed. Saunders, 2003. Chapters: 34, 35, 43.

Fox, JG, Cohen, BJ, Loew, FM. Laboratory Animal Medicine, 2nd ed. Orlando, Florida: Academic Press, 2002.

Fudge, Alan M. Laboratory Medicine, Avian and Exotic Pets. Philadelphia : W.B. Saunders Co., 2000.

Harkness, JE, and JE Wagner. The Biology and Medicine of Rabbits and Rodents. 3rd ed. Lea & Febiger, 1989.

Quesenberry, Katherine E., James W. Carpenter, Peter Quesenberry. Ferrets, Rabbits and Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery Includes Sugar Gliders and Hedgehogs. 2nd ed. Philadelphia: WB Saunders Co., c2003

Hoefer HL. Hedgehogs. Vet Clin of North America Small Animal Practice, vol. 24, 1994, pp. 113-120.

Isenbugel E., Baumgartener, RA. Disease of the hedgehog. IN Fowler, Murray E. Zoo and Wild Animal Medicine, Current Therapy 3. Philadelphia, WB Saunders, 1993, pp. 294-302.

Johnson-Delaney, Cathy A. Exotic Companion Medicine Handbook for Veterinarians. Wingers Pub. Inc., 1996.

Laboratory Animal Medicine and Management edited by J.D. Reuter and M.A.Suckow. 2003-.

Levy, Howard and Steven Q. Simpson. Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome. American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, 149, 1994, pp.1710-1713.

Lightfoot, TL. Clinical examination of chinchillas, hedgehogs, prairies dogs, and sugar gliders. Vet Clinics of North America, Exotic Animal Practice, Vol. 2, 1999, pp. 447-469.

Malecki, Tinalyn M., et al. Serologic survey for hantavirus infection in domestic animals and coyotes from New Mexico and northeastern Arizona. JAVMA, Vol 212 (7), 1998, pp. 970-973.

Mills, James N., et al. Guidelines for working with rodents potentially infected with hantavirus. Journal of Mammalogy, 76 (3), 1995, pp.716-722.

Morse, Stephen S. Hantaviruses and the Hantavirus outbreak in the United States. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences. 740, Dec. 15, 1995. pp. 199-207.

Ness, Robert D. Sugar glider (Petaurus bevideps): general husbandry and medicine. Proceedings of the Annual Conference of the Association of Avian Veterinarians, 2000, pp. 99-107.

Palmer, AC, et al. Paralysis in hedgehogs (erinaceus europaeus) associated with demyelination. Vet Record, Vol 143, 1998, pp. 550-552.

Pye, GW, Carpenter JW. A guide to medicine and surgery in sugar gliders. Veterinary Medicine, 1999: 891-905.

Rand, Michael S. Hantavirus: an overview and update. Laboratory Animal Science, 44 (4), 1994, pp.301-304.

Raymond, James T., and M. R. White. Necropsy and histopathologic findings in 14 African Hedgehogs (Atelerix albiventris): a retrospective study. JZWM, v. 30 (2), 1999: 273-277.

Raymond, James T. and Michael M. Garner. Cardiomyopathy in captive African hedgehogs (Atelerix albiventris). Proceedings of the AAZV and IAAAM Joint Conference, 2000, p. 245.

Reeve H. Hedghogs. London, T & AD Poyser Ltd, 1994.

Schmaljohn, Connie and Brian Hjelle. Hantaviruses: a global disease problem. Emergning Infectious Diseases, 3 (2), 1997: 95-104,

Smith, AJ. Husbandry and nutrition of hedgehogs. Vet Clinical of North American, Exotic Animal Practice, vol. 2, 1999, pp. 127-141.

Veterinary Clinics of North America. Exotic Animal Practice. Philadelphia, PA : W.B. Saunders Co., 1998-

Wheler, Colette L., Grahn, Bruce H., Pocknell, Ann M. UNILATERAL PROPTOSIS AND ORBITAL CELLULITIS IN EIGHT AFRICAN HEDGEHOGS (ATELERIX ALBIVENTRIS) Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine 2001 32: 236-241

Wrobel D, Brown SA. The Hedgehog, an Owner's Guide to a Happy Healthy Pet. New York, Howell Book House, 1997.

Yablonsky, Terri. The mystery of the hantavirus. Laboratory Medicine, 25 (9), 1994, pp. 557-560

4.2. Websites

American Association for Laboratory Animal Science http://www.aalas.org/

Association of Exotic Mammal Veterinarians (AEMV) http://www.aemv.org/

Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/hanta/hantvrus.htm

Hedgehog FAQ http://www.hedgehoghollow.com/faq/

International Sugar Glider Association http://www.isga.org/

4.3. Products mentioned in the text

Special rabbit/rodent dental pack is available from: Spectrum 4575 Hudson Drive Stow, OH 44224 Phone 800-444-5644 Fax 330-686-4555 spectrumsurgical.com Rabbit Dental Pack order #54-800

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