Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

9- SA- Gastrointestinal and Hepatic Disease > Anorexia and gastrointestinal disease in small mammals > Flashcards

Anorexia and gastrointestinal disease in small mammals Flashcards

(60 cards)

Start Studying
1
Q

why is it important to ask an owner what the D+ is like in rabbits

A

need to determine if it is D+ or caecotrophs
caecotrophs are bigger and softer in evening

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

what can an incorrect diet predispose small mammals to

A

bloat
D+
Microbial imbalance (dysbiosis).
Gastrointestinal bacterial infections
Hepatic lipidosis.
Obesity which prevents caecotrophs ingestion.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

what are outdoor small mammals more likely to get

A

Exposure to wildlife e.g. virus’ and endoparasites

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

what can stress cause in hindgut fermenters

A

hypomotility
which can then lead to anorexia and other problems such as gut stasis, gastric ulcers and bloat

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

List 7 causes of stress in small mammals

A

Predators.
New rabbits.
Sudden change of diet.
Change of housing.
Transport.
Extremes of weather/temperature.
Loss of a companion rabbit

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Main differences in performing the clinical exam in small mammals compared to dog

A

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!

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

List the main differences of ferret compared to cat

A

Different handling techniques - scuffing is often used in ferrets
Splenomegaly (bigger proportionally) is common and often an incidental finding

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

List 2 reasons why Reduced wear of teeth can occur in hindgut fermenters

A

Not enough fiber (vegetation/hay)- not grinding teeth when eating
Selective eating

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

List 4 causes of weaker teeth in hindgut fermenters

A

Sugary treats and fruit
Vitamin C deficiency (guinea pigs)
Selenium deficiency
Ca/P imbalance (metabolic bone disease

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Why is vitamin C important in guinea pig diet

A

Because unable to synthesise vit C so need it from diet

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

where do cheek teeth grow in rabbits

A

Like horses, lower cheek teeth ONLY over grow into the tongue. And upper cheek teeth ONLY over grown into the cheek.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

what is a spur

A

sharp overgrowth of a tooth

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

what is different between rabbit and guinea pig cheek teeth

A

guinea pigs lower cheek teeth curve slightly inwards- NORMAL
But it means when they overgrown they form an arch and trap the tongue

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Describe the ideal rabbit diet

A

85% hay (not alfalfa)
10% vegetables
5% pellets (not muesli)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

why do we not want to feed alfalfa hay to rabbits

A

high in sugars and high in calcium ( this can cause bladder issues)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

List the clinical signs of gastrointestinal disease in small mammals

A

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)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

when can you see Hyperglycaemia in small mammals

A

stress
pain
advanced liver disease

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

when can you see hypoglycaemia in small mammals

A

starvation/ anorexia

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

what indicates dehydration in small mammals on bloods

A

elevated TP, HCT
+/- urea/ creatinine - increased
can help tailor fluid plan

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

list the liver parameters are found in small mammals

A

TBIL
ALT
AST
GGT
ALKP

some more reliable in some species

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

List 12 common GIT conditions that affect hind gut fermenters

A

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)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

what is gut stasis

A

is the slowing (or stopping) of the passage of food through the GI tract.
usually hind gut that is affected
clinical sign not diagnosis

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

List 5 things that can cause gut stasis

A

Pain
Stress
Incorrect diet
Lack of caecotrophy
Gastrointestinal bacterial Infection, viral, parasites etc

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

What are the 2 main types of causes of gastric bloat

A
  1. Physiological obstruction e.g. gastric stasis due to pain or diet.
  2. Physical obstruction e.g. foreign body, neoplasia, GDV.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
what do you need to be aware of when looking at rabbit radiographs
can be in hard or soft faeces phase- they look different both are normal
26
List the clinical signs of dysbiosis in hind gut fermenters
Anorexia diarrhoea haematochezia dehydration shock and death
27
List the normal commensals of hindgut fermenters
Bacteroides Enterococcus, Staphylococcus E.coli.
28
T/F Lactobacillus are absent in rabbits.
True
29
What is Dysautonomia
idiopathic malfunction of the autonomic nervous system.
30
List the clinical signs of Dysautonomia
GI stasis dry mucous membranes and conjunctiva mydriasis bradycardia urine retention megaoesophagus Mucoid enteritis large intestine impaction. May be found dead with food impacted in mouth.
31
In what rabbits do we see caecal impaction
younger rabbits
32
what do we see anal impaction in and how to treat
common in older male guinea pigs gentle manual expression
33
List the common GIT conditions that affect ferrets
Inflammatory Bowl Disease Endoparasites (e.g. ascarids) Protozoa Viral Bacterial Obstruction
34
List the viral diseases that can affect ferrets
ferret enteric coronavirus rotavirus canine distemper
35
What are most ferrets carriers of
Helicobacter mustelae majority do not have clinical disease is a risk factor of other things
36
Name 2 common neoplasia in ferrets
Lymphoma and adenocarcinoma Possibly secondary to Helicobacter mustelae.
37
List the bacteria infections which cause enteritis in rodents
salmonella Clostridium piliforme (Tyzzer’s disease) Lawsonia intracellularis (wet tail)
38
List 4 common GIT conditions of rodents
enteritis Antibiotic associated enterotoxaemia Cheek pouch impactions and infections- hamsters Overgrown incisors e.g. malocclusion, trauma.
39
Describe how to perform dental clinical exam in small mammals
Look at incisors by parting the lips. Look at cheek teeth by using an otoscope, view is very limited when they are conscious. Look at a minimum of 4 points in the mouth with an otoscope when they are conscious.
40
Why is dental imaging important in rabbits
Essential because 2/3rd of the teeth are sub-gingivial. Acquired dental disease is progressive and tooths/bone are often abnormal and used to stage dental disease.
41
describe the staging of acquired dental disease
Stage 1 = normal Stage 2 = root elongation & deterioration Stage 3 = acquired malocclusion Stage 4 = cessation of tooth growth Stage 5(a) = end stage with osteomyelitis and abscess formation 5(b) = end stage with calcification of teeth and alveolar bone
42
What dental radiographic views do we need to take in rabbits
Lateral – open mouth, closed mouth Latero-oblique- stops superimposition Dorsoventral
43
List 6 options for analgesia in small mammals
meloxicam tramadol buprenorphine - Don't over use opioids- this can cause gut stasis maropitant carprofen lidocaine
44
List 3 prokinetic drugs used in rabbits
Cisapride- acts on upper and lower GI tract - first choice metoclopramide- not good on own (use with ranitidine) Ranitidine Only if no obstruction
45
What is the maintenance fluid rate in rabbits
4ml/kg/hr
46
what is subcut fluid in rabbits
10ml/kg, max 20ml per site Isotonic saline, warmed
47
describe shock rate fluids in rabbits
Shock rate: 100ml/kg (divide into 15 minute boluses) they can chew through IV line
48
What is the safe rule for hind gut fermenters
Safe (Medications For Treating Small Mammals) - Metronidazole - Fluoroquinolones (except pradofloxacin) - Tetracyclines - Sulfonamides - Macrolides (except erythromycin)
49
List 3 safe antibiotics to give rabits
TMPS metronidazole enrofloxacin- protected antibiotic
50
What is the PLACE rule
Possibly Dangerous (PLACE): - Penicillins - Lincosamides (e.g clindamycin) - Aminoglycosides (possibly) - Cephalosporins - Erythromycin Need to think about where you give these e.g. penicillin fatal to rabbit orally but s/c is safe
51
how often should we feed rabbits which need syringe feeding
6 feeds per day
52
Describe how to treat gastric bloat in rabbits
Critical patients! Intravenous fluids necessary. analgesia and sedation Decompress with orogastric tube SLOWLY (easy to rupture!) If bloat reoccurs- surgery
53
Describe how to treat Dysbiosis/enterotoxaemia in rabbits
fluids Stop any offending antibiotics Cholestyramine Probiotics? Transfaunation of caecotrophs? - to try put healthy bacteria back in Start required drug therapies- but need to be careful
54
describe how to treat Accumulated Caecotrophs in rabbits
Clip and clean perineum (often require sedation). treat underlying cause Exclude treats, fruit and root vegetables from diet. Provide ad-lib hay and grass- need to carefully monitor weight with this
55
Describe surgery in hind gut fermenters/ rodent
often high risk minimise tissue handling - adhesions for readily Ensure tissues continually hydrated (warmed saline). no powdered gloves DO NOT use cat gut
56
T/F hand rasps are recommended to use in small mammals
False they may cause loosening of teeth, soft tissue trauma and haemorrhage
57
Describe how to perform cheek tooth extration in small mammals
Use rabbit molar Crossley elevator or bent 18G needle. difficult unless already sig loosening Break down ligaments until the tooth is very loose then use extraction forceps to gently remove
58
what do you do if cheek tooth snaps when trying to extract in rabbits
wait 4-6 weeks for it to re-grow and then try again.
59
why should we never cut incisors with tooth cutters on small mammals
Mico-fractures occur every time you cut an incisor with tooth cutters – eventually this can fracture tooth in half
60
why do rabbit and guinea pig dental abscess need surgical excision
thick puss so abscesses can't be syringed out The wound is then kept open by suturing the edges of the incision to the skin (marsupialisation).

9- SA- Gastrointestinal and Hepatic Disease (14 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions