Small Mammals
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Self-Assessment Colour Review of Small Mammals Susan A. Brown DVM Midwest Bird & Exotic Animal Hospital Westchester, Illinois Karen L. Rosenthal MS, DVM, Dipl ABVP Avian The Animal Medical Center New York, New York Manson Publishing/The Veterinary Press Common name Scientific name Original range 13-lined ground squirrel Citellus tridecemlineatus North America African hedgehog Atelerix albiventris Africa Chinchilla Chinchilla laniger South America Common marmoset Callithrix jacchus South America Cotton-tail rabbit Sylvilagus nuttalii North America Cotton-top tamarin Saguinus oedipus South America Domestic rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus Worldwide Eastern gray squirrel Sciurus carolinensis North America Eastern red squirrel Tamiasciurus hudsonicus North America European hedgehog Erinaceus europaeus Europe Ferret Mustela putorius furo Europe/North Africa Golden hamster Mesocricetus auratus East Europe/Middle East Guinea pig Cavia porcellus South America Lion tamarin Leontopithecus rosalia Brazil Long tailed macaque Maccaca fascicularis South-East Asia Mongolian gerbil Meriones unguiculatus Mongolia Mouse Mus musculus Worldwide Owl monkey Aotus trivirgatus Central/South America Patas monkey Erythrocebus patas Africa Potbellied pig Sus scrota Asia Prairie dog Cynomys ludovicianus North America Raccoon Procyon lotor North America Rat Rattus norvegicus Worldwide Red fox Vulpes vulpes North America Rhesus monkey Macaca mulatta India Spider monkey Ateles geoffroyi South America Squirrel monkey Saimiri sciureus South America Stripped skunk Mephitis mephitis North America Virginia opossum Didelphis virginiana North America Copyright © 1997 Manson Publishing Ltd ISBN: 1–874545–45–6 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means without the written permission of the copyright holder or in accordance with the provisions of the Copyright Act 1956 (as amended), or under the terms of any licence permitting limited copying issued by the Copyright Licensing Agency, 33–34 Alfred Place, London WC1E 7DP. Any person who does any unauthorised act in relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages. A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library. For full details of all Manson Publishing Ltd titles please write to: Manson Publishing Ltd, 73 Corringham Road, London NW11 7DL. Typeset and designed by: Paul Bennett Colour reproduction: Reed Reprographics, Ipswich, UK Printed by: Grafos SA, Barcelona, Spain Preface Small mammal veterinary medicine has greatly expanded in its breadth of knowledge over the past ten years. During the same period, people owning pets such as rabbits, ferrets and rodents have demanded a higher quality of medical care than was formerly expected. These two factors have forced veterinarians to seek out sources of information about these species. Until recently, it has been difficult to obtain accurate, current, non-anecdotal written material on small mammals. To aid veterinarians in their quest for information, we offer this text in a self- assessment format which challenges readers to use their clinical knowledge on a variety of species. We have assembled an international collection of distinguished colleagues that have contributed cases which range from basic to advanced. Therefore, this book can be used by veterinarians with a wide range of clinical experience. The format is a question followed by its detailed answer on the next page. We have strived to construct every question and answer to ‘stand alone’ and not rely on informa- tion provided in other cases. The topics consist of case reports, clinical techniques, anatomy and husbandry. We have tailored the number of questions per species to reflect the frequency in which these species are seen in practice. As such, rabbits, ferrets and guinea pigs constitute the largest numbers of cases in the book. A unique aspect of this book is that most questions are illustrated with a photograph, radiograph or diagram to aid in understanding a concept. Most case report answers include differential diagnoses to enable veterinarians to reason beyond the the scope of particular questions. Unlike many other small mammal texts, this is a very practical book with detailed solutions that allow veterinarians to put into use the information they have just read. We anticipate that some readers will criticize the extent or complexity of the diagnostics and treatments suggested for some of the species in the text. Although financial con- straints often determine the level of veterinary care patients receive, veterinarians are obliged to make owners aware of all the available options. We have offered in our answers the best possible treatment plans available at the time of writing and, as needed, other less complex or expensive options can be tailored from this information. We must, as veterinarians, offer the same high standard of care for these small mammal species as we do for other companion animals and let the owners decide for themselves the extent to which they wish to pursue treatment. The human-animal bond can extend to all species and it should not be dishonored by our prejudgments. The text is not meant to be memorized. Small mammal medicine is a rapidly evolving field. The ultimate challenge to veterinarians is to apply the critical thinking this book demands, the fundamental veterinary medicine principles, and the basic knowledge of physiology, anatomy and husbandry to future situations that may be encountered in small mammal species. Susan A. Brown Karen L. Rosenthal 1997 Dedications Richard, Zoki, Alex, Falcor, Uma, Travis, Lucy, Psycho Kitty, Cleo and Indy Hilary, Eleyna, Bill and Tigger 3 Contributors Nancy L. Anderson, DVM, Dipl ABVP Avian Holly S. Mullen, DVM, Dipl ACVS Ohio State University Emergency Animal Hospital & Referral Columbus, Ohio USA Center R. Avery Bennett, DVM, MS, Dipl ACVS San Diego, California USA University of Florida Christopher J. Murphy, DVM, Dipl ACVO Gainesville, Florida USA University of Wisconsin Beth Ann Breitweiser, DVM Madison, Wisconsin USA All Wild Things Exotic Animal Hospital Joanne Paul-Murphy, DVM, Dipl ACZM Indianapolis, Indiana USA University of Wisconsin Susan A. Brown, DVM Madison, Wisconsin USA Midwest Bird & Exotic Animal Hospital Robert D. Ness, DVM Westchester, Illinois USA Midwest Bird & Animal Hospital David A. Crossley, BVetMed, FAVD, MRCVS Westchester, Illinois USA Animal Medical Centre Referral Services Barbara Oglesbee, DVM, Dipl ABVP Avian Chorlton, Manchester UK Ohio State University Barbara J. Deeb, DVM, MS Columbus, Ohio USA University of Washington Sharon Patton, MS, PhD Seattle, Washington USA University of Tennessee Pamela H. Eisele, DVM, Dipl ACLAM Knoxville, Tennessee USA University of California Stuart L. Porter, VMD Davis, California USA Blue Ridge Community College Paul A. Flecknell, MA, VetMB, PhD, DLAS, Weyers Cave, Virginia USA Dipl ECVA, MRCVS Samuel M. Ristich, DVM University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne Indian Prairie Animal Hospital Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Tyne and Wear UK Aurora, Illinois USA Karen Helton, DVM, Dipl ACVD Karen L. Rosenthal, MS, DVM, Cardiopet Dermatology Service Dipl ABVP Avian Little Falls, New Jersey USA The Animal Medical Center Elizabeth V. Hillyer, DVM New York, New York USA Oldwick, New Jersey USA Andrew Routh, BVSc, MRCVS Jeffrey R. Jenkins, DVM, Dipl ABVP Avian Stapeley Grange Wildlife Hospital & Cattery Avian & Exotic Animal Hospital Nantwich, Cheshire UK San Diego, California USA David Scarff, BVetMed, CertSAD, MRCVS Cathy A. Johnson-Delaney, DVM Anglian Referrals University of Washington Norwich, Norfolk UK Seattle, Washington USA Anthony J. Smith, DVM Douglas R. Mader, MS, DVM, Dipl ABVP El Paso Zoo Long Beach Animal Hospital El Paso, Texas USA Long Beach, California USA Greg Whelan, BVMS, CertLAS, MRCVS Paul E. Miller, DVM, Dipl ACVO SmithKline Beecham Pharmaceuticals University of Wisconsin Harlow, Essex UK Madison, Wisconsin USA David L. Williams, MA, VetMB, PhD, Timothy H. Morris, BVetMed, PhD, CertVOphthal, MRCVS CertLAS, Dipl ACLAM, MRCVS Animal Health Trust SmithKline Beecham Pharmaceuticals Newmarket, Suffolk UK Harlow, Essex UK 4 1–3: Questions 1 This four-year-old African 1 hedgehog died suddenly with- out premonitory signs (1). a What are the lesion(s) obser- ved on necropsy? b What is the most likely cause of the postmortem changes in this animal? 2 A seven-year-old intact male rabbit is lethargic, cachexic and approximately 8% dehydrated. The mucous membranes are sticky and pale and the kidneys are smaller than average. The heart rate is 300 beats per minute and the respiratory rate is 28 breaths per minute. The rabbit has a history of chronic respiratory disease, which has been treated by the owner with an unknown dose of tetracycline in the water for the past two years. There has been a noticeable weight loss over the past two months and the rabbit has been anorectic for two weeks. The following are the serum bio- chemistry and hematology results: Test Patient value Normal values PCV 19% 33–50% Plasma protein 74 g/l (7.4 g/dl) 54–83 g/l (5.4–8.3 g/dl) WBC 7.2 × 103/ml 5.2–12.5 × 103/ml CO2 11.4 mmol/l (11.4 mEq/l) 16–38 mmol/l (16–38 mEq/l) Calcium 3.0 mmol/l (12.0 mg/dl) 1.4–3.1 mmol/l (5.6–12.5 mg/dl) Phosphorus 3.4 mmol/l (10.6 mg/dl) 1.3–2.2 mmol/l (4.0–6.9 mg/dl) Glucose 5.6 mmol/l (100 mg/dl) 4.2–8.7 mmol/l (75–155 mg/dl) Creatinine 689.5 +mol/l (7.8 mg/dl) 44.2–221 +mol/l (0.5–2.5 mg/dl) BUN 191 mg/dl 13–26 mg/dl Sodium 151 mmol/l (151 mEq/l) 131–155 mmol/l (131–155 mEq/l) Potassium 6.4 mmol/l (6.4 mEq/l) 3.6–6.9 mmol/l (3.6–6.9 mEq/l) Alanine aminotransferase 63 U/l 48–80 U/l Urine specific gravity 1.010 1.003–1.036 a What is your diagnosis for the anorexia? b What is your treatment regime for this rabbit? 3 Fentanyl/droperidol and fentanyl/fluanisone are useful for providing analgesia and immobilization for minor surgical procedures in rabbits.