Anorexia and gastrointestinal disease in small mammals Flashcards
why is it important to ask an owner what the D+ is like in rabbits
need to determine if it is D+ or caecotrophs
caecotrophs are bigger and softer in evening
what can an incorrect diet predispose small mammals to
bloat
D+
Microbial imbalance (dysbiosis).
Gastrointestinal bacterial infections
Hepatic lipidosis.
Obesity which prevents caecotrophs ingestion.
what are outdoor small mammals more likely to get
Exposure to wildlife e.g. virus’ and endoparasites
what can stress cause in hindgut fermenters
hypomotility
which can then lead to anorexia and other problems such as gut stasis, gastric ulcers and bloat
List 7 causes of stress in small mammals
Predators.
New rabbits.
Sudden change of diet.
Change of housing.
Transport.
Extremes of weather/temperature.
Loss of a companion rabbit
Main differences in performing the clinical exam in small mammals compared to dog
Auscultate the GIT in hind gut fermenters.
dental exam methods - otoscope to see cheek teeth
Checking things like ear canals and joints may not be part of every exam in a dog, but they should be in a hind gut fermenter!
List the main differences of ferret compared to cat
Different handling techniques - scuffing is often used in ferrets
Splenomegaly (bigger proportionally) is common and often an incidental finding
List 2 reasons why Reduced wear of teeth can occur in hindgut fermenters
Not enough fiber (vegetation/hay)- not grinding teeth when eating
Selective eating
List 4 causes of weaker teeth in hindgut fermenters
Sugary treats and fruit
Vitamin C deficiency (guinea pigs)
Selenium deficiency
Ca/P imbalance (metabolic bone disease
Why is vitamin C important in guinea pig diet
Because unable to synthesise vit C so need it from diet
where do cheek teeth grow in rabbits
Like horses, lower cheek teeth ONLY over grow into the tongue. And upper cheek teeth ONLY over grown into the cheek.
what is a spur
sharp overgrowth of a tooth
what is different between rabbit and guinea pig cheek teeth
guinea pigs lower cheek teeth curve slightly inwards- NORMAL
But it means when they overgrown they form an arch and trap the tongue
Describe the ideal rabbit diet
85% hay (not alfalfa)
10% vegetables
5% pellets (not muesli)
why do we not want to feed alfalfa hay to rabbits
high in sugars and high in calcium ( this can cause bladder issues)
List the clinical signs of gastrointestinal disease in small mammals
Anorexia
Reduced/ no faecal output
Small dry faecal droppings
Diarrhea
Hunched up/lethargic
Faecal staining (+/- myiasis)
Dribbling/wet front paws
Caecotrophs accumulation (rabbits)
Anal Impactions (guinea pigs)
when can you see Hyperglycaemia in small mammals
stress
pain
advanced liver disease
when can you see hypoglycaemia in small mammals
starvation/ anorexia
what indicates dehydration in small mammals on bloods
elevated TP, HCT
+/- urea/ creatinine - increased
can help tailor fluid plan
list the liver parameters are found in small mammals
TBIL
ALT
AST
GGT
ALKP
some more reliable in some species
List 12 common GIT conditions that affect hind gut fermenters
Dental disease
Gut stasis
Bloat (guinea pigs)
gastric ulceration
Impaction or foreign body
Neoplasia
Bacterial
Viral
Parasitic
Liver disease e.g. lipidosis
Liver lobe torsion (rabbits)
Gastric dilatation volvulus (g.pig)
what is gut stasis
is the slowing (or stopping) of the passage of food through the GI tract.
usually hind gut that is affected
clinical sign not diagnosis
List 5 things that can cause gut stasis
Pain
Stress
Incorrect diet
Lack of caecotrophy
Gastrointestinal bacterial Infection, viral, parasites etc
What are the 2 main types of causes of gastric bloat
- Physiological obstruction e.g. gastric stasis due to pain or diet.
- Physical obstruction e.g. foreign body, neoplasia, GDV.