Chapter 9. Biology and Diseases of Chinchillas Flashcards

Question

Chinchilla chromosome number

Answer 1

Diploid number - 64

Answer 2

- Monogastric hind gut fermenters - High-fiber, low-energy diet with 16-20% protein, 2.5-5.5% fat, 15-23% fiber - Low protein diet may result in unthriftiness and dry, weak fur - Pelleted ration; supplement with free-choice grass hay or other high fiber substance

Answer 3

Sit upright on haunches and hold food in forepaws when eating -Commercial chinchilla pellets longer than G pig pellets to facilitate this behavior

Answer 4

- Small amounts of washed, dark green leafy veggies - Avoid high starch or sugar = GI upset - Avoid mixed rations = chinchillas will pick out only what they like

Answer 5

Suspended food hopper or J-feeder will prevent waster and feed contamination

Answer 6

True. Chinchillas are nocturnal.

Answer 7

- Social animals - house in same sex pairs or small groups; huddling and mutual grooming occur - Provide solid running wheels to minimize foot and leg injuries - Require safe items for gnawing - Not very vocal, but normal vocalizations include soft high-pitched grunts, angry barks, warning whistles - Can be territorial and spray urine at an intruder - Like guinea pigs, do not adjust readily to environmental changes - Nocturnal, but can adapt to diurnal lifestyle in captivity

Answer 8

- Female may be aggressive when in estrus or post-partum, esp towards males - Intact males may fight

Answer 9

Anogenital distance - Females have prominent urethral papilla (can confuse with penis) - Males can retract testicles into abdomen

Answer 10

- In Northern hemisphere, seasonally polyestrus from Nov-May - Estrous cycle lasts 20-60 days (avg 35) - Estrus last 12-48 hr: opening of vaginal closure membrane, vaginal reddening and discharge - Waxy vaginal plug normal at onset of estrus - Female monogamous in wild; can use harem scheme in captivity w/ 1 M for every 4-6 F

Answer 11

- Females fitted with flat metal disc around neck so they cannot leave their own cage - Tunnel system connecting cages allows male to move freely between cages - Interested males make a cooing, chuckling noise & both sexes rub chins on the floor

Answer 12

- Lordosis and lateral deviation of tail - Following mating, female may become aggressive towards male - growling, chattering teeth, spraying urine - Mating may occur several times during night; loss of some fur from female normal during this time - Ejaculatory plug present for several hours

Answer 13

- 105-120 days - At about 60 days, mammary tissue enlarges - Female weight gain of 25-30g/mth initially, with more rapid increase in last month

Answer 14

- Females near parturition become inactive and anorectic; perineal area, mouth and nose become wet with amniotic fluid to signal start of parturition - Parturition generally at night or early morning - Labor lasts 1-2 hours or less; generally all kits born within a 4 hr period - Female will use teeth to pull kits from birth canal - Dystocia uncommon, but consider C-section if more than 4 hr of unproductive labor

Answer 15

~12 hr after parturition and lasts for 2 days after which the vaginal closure membrane reforms

Answer 16

- Avg litter size of 2-3 - Dams do not normally build a nest but nest boxes may reduce mortality - Birth weight: 30-60 g; kits <25 g unlikely to survive - Newborns fully furred with complete set of teeth and able to walk within 1 hr - Eyes open within 24 hr of birth - Weaning between 6-8 weeks - Begin to eat small amounts of solid food in first week of life - Orphans can be fostered onto female with a small litter of approximate small age, or with a litter ready to be weaned - introduce orphans a few hrs after older pups removed

Answer 17

Electroejaculation, AI, cryopreservation of sperm

Answer 18

``` Respiratory syncytial virus Adenovirus Influenza A Vesicular stomatitis virus Moraxella catarrhalis Haemophilus influenzae Streptococcus pneumoniae Pseudomonas aeruginosa Chlaymydia trachomatis ```

Answer 19

- G(+), anaerobic, rod-shaped, spore-forming bacterium - Type A, B, and D have been reported in chinchillas - Enterotoxemia & necrotizing enteritis - Clin signs: diarrhea, abdominal pain, prolapsed rectum, lethargy, recumbency, sudden death - Commonly found in intestines of animals, people & in the environment - Necropsy: hemorrhagic enteritis, mild pulmonary edema, spleno- & hepatomegaly, hepatic lipidosis - Histo: necrotizing & hemoarrhagic enteritis with bacterial aggregates in epithelium and lamina propria; lg intestinal mucosa necrosis, centrilobular hepatic necrosis, hepatic lipidosis, splenic white pulp proliferation, pulmonary edema - Tx: may not be rewarding d/t rapid clinical progression - Prevention: sourcing clean animals, proper husbandry, minimize stress, appropriate abx use, provide uncontaminated feed

Answer 20

- Five toxinotypes: A-E - Does not invade healthy cells; toxins & enzymes are responsible for disease - Bacterium & its toxins may be found in both diseased and clinically normal patients

Answer 21

Encoded by cpe gene

Answer 22

- Diagnose by anaerobic culture, bacterial identification from intestinal contents, immunoassays, PCR - Other causes of sudden death: Yersinia sp, Listeria sp, Salmonella, Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Answer 23

- Sudden clinical illness and death | - Subclinically infected animals may be source of infx for other animals or people - ZOONOTIC

Answer 24

- G(-), aerobic, rod-shaped - Most infx subclinical; problem for immunodeficient animals - Clin signs: anorexia, weight loss, enteritis, diarrhea, pneumonia, conjunctivitis with corneal ulceration, inguinal & genital pustules, otitis with neuro signs (facial paralysis, heat tilt, ataxia, circling, rolling) - Ubiquitous in soil and water; get from contaminated water - Dx: swabs of oral cavity, feces, water bottles; culture from lesions or blood

Answer 25

- Depends on location of infection - Necropsy: Caseous yellow material in the external ear canal, mottled and congested lungs, small pustules with thick whitet exudate in inguinal & genital skin, enlarged & reddened inguinal LNs, yellow friable liver - Histo: Otitis - bacterial colonies in tympanic bullae & inner ear; skin infection: hemorrha,e SC edema, inflammation; mesenteric LN microabscesses, subcapsular hemorrhae, neutrophil inflamm; septicemia in liver and lunb

Answer 26

- Present in many rodent colonies; not always considered excluded - Treatment of water supply: acidification, autoclaving, RO, chlorine, filtering; biofilms may prevent complete sterilization - Abx tx of animals already showing severe signs unlikely to be successful

Answer 27

- Infx in immunocompetent animals not a significant research impact - Animals that are clinical may not be suitable research candidates

Answer 28

- G(-), rod-shaped, facultative anaerobic bacteria - Y. pseudotuberculosis & Y. enterocolitica reported in chinchillas - Clin signs: subclinical infx possible; sporadic deaths; anorexia, weight loss, lethargy, excessive salivation, diarrhea - ZOONOTIC - Transmission: fecal-oral; vertical transmission via milk - Necropsy: gray-white firm, nodular foci w/ thick purulent material in liver, spleen, intestinal tract, LNs, less frequently in lungs; hepatio- splenomegaly - Mucosal hemorrhage & ulceration of ileum, cecum, colon; granulomatous lesions in liver, spleen, lung - Dx: bacterial culture from lesioned organs, intestinal tract, blood - Ddx: Listeria spp, Salmonella

Answer 29

- Tetracycline antibiotics orally or in the drinking water; may not be successful in severely ill animals - Prevention: sourcing from clean colonies, elimination of SC infected animals, environmental decontamination - Research complications: unexpected death may interfere with research; source of ZOONOTIC infx

Answer 30

- G(-), ubiquitous, flagellated, non-spore forming, facultative anaerobic - Family Enterobacteriaceae - Genus contains 2 species: S. bongori - infx mainly poikilotherms & rarely humans; S. enterica has ~2500 serovars - S. dublin, S. enteritidis, S. sofia, S. pullorum, S. typhimurium, S. arizona have been reported in chinchillas

Answer 31

- Clin signs: subclinical carriers; sudden death with obvious clinical signs; septicemia, anorexia, weight loss, lethargy, diarrhea +/- hemorrhage, tremors, local paralysis, mucopurulent or hemorrhagic vaginal secretions, abortions - Infections have not been reported in lab chinchillas (pet & fur trade) - All ages susceptible - Transmission: fecal-oral - Necropsy: gastritis, enteritis, extensive cecal ulcerations, enlarged spleen with necroti foci, hepatitis with focal necrosis, cholecystitis, hemorrhagic & mucopurulent endometritis, evidence of septicemia - Dx: culture - Ddx: coliforms, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Clostridium sp, Listeria moncytogenes, Yersinia pseudotuberculosis, parasites, coccidia

Answer 32

- Ingested and then colonize the intestines by attaching to the tips of the intestinal villi - Host inflammatory response & intestinal injury results from gastroenteritis - Salmonella may persist in enterocytes, M cells, macrophages - Virulent strains may cause bacteremia

Answer 33

- Oxytetracycline, chloramphenicol, enrofloxain - Zoonotic potential & subclinical carrier status - Research complications: clinical disease and sudden death; subclinical carriers may be source of contamination of other animals

Answer 34

- G(+), beta-hemolytic, intracellular, facultative anaerobic, rod-shaped - L. monocytogenes and L. ivanovii have been reported in chinchillas - Clin signs: subclinical; septicemia, encephalitis, abortions - In chinchillas - generally more common to see the septicemic form w/ multiple visceral abscesses - anorexia, lethargy, abdominal discomfort, diarrhea or decreased fecal production, rectal prolapse, torticollis & ataxia with encephalitis - May be illness of short duration (1-4 days) prior to death or sudden death - Infx of lab chinchillas rare (fur trade)

Answer 35

- Can be found in soil, water, sewage, decaying vegetation, insects, silage, intestinal tract of healthy animals - All ages of animals are susceptible - Subclinically infected animals can be source of infx of other animals - Contaminated hay and feed suspected sources of infection in chinchillas - Bacteria ingested - disrupt cecal and intestinal barrier - colonize liver - spread to other organs via blood - bacteria able to invade and survive in macrophages, epithelial cells, hepatocytes, endothelial cells, etc. - Chinchillas most susceptible to septicemic form

Answer 36

Necropsy: septicemic spread of bacteria - focal necrosis and abscesses in various tissues; white to yellow foci on liver, spleen, cecum, intestines, mesentery, mesenteric LNs - Spleen & adrenal enlargement, cecal impaction, hemorrhagic enteritis, intussusception, myocardial abscesses, pleuritis, patchy pneumonia, necrotic metritis, mucometra, miliary necrotic foxi in liver - Histo: focal areas of necrotic debris, polymorphonuclear and mononuclear cell infiltrates, bacterial colonies in liver, spleen, intestines, mesenteric LNs; microabscesses kidney, cerebrum, brain stem, adrenal glands; pleuritis, interstitial pneumonia with thickened alveolar walls, foamy alveolar macrophages, dispersed bacterial colonies

Answer 37

- Bacterial culture, IHC | - Ddx: Yersinia pseudotuberculosis, Salmonella

Answer 38

- Oxytetracycline, chloramphenicol - may not be successful when clin signs apparent or warranted d/t ZOONOTIC potential - Eliminate source of contamination & decontaminate environment - Research complications - infected chinchillas may die ro have signs of clinical disease

Answer 39

- Confirmed disease has not been reported -Association with a gastric adenocarcinoma described - death after 5 days lethargy; markedly thickened gastric wall, white plaques and nodules on gastric serosa, firm white transmural mass oblitering gastric lumen, numerous gastric ulcers - Dx: PCR - Other associated necropsy findings in chinchillas: gastritis, lymphoid hyperplasia, intestinal metaplasia/dysplasia

Answer 40

-Case report of C. lanienae in lab chinchillas: Gastritis, duodenitis, typhlocolitis in juvenile males

Answer 41

- One report of K. pneumoniae in a breeding colony: anorexia, depression, resp distress, diarrhea; death after 5 days - Necropsy: congestion & consolidation of lungs, hydrothorax, cardiomegaly, gastroenteritis, subcapsular renal petechial hemorrhage - Histo: congestion of alveolar capillaries, venous distention in lungs, serous to suppurative exudate in the alveoli, renal tubular necrosis with luminal casts - Tx: gentamicin attempted but only effective for half of animals

Answer 42

- Septicemia in adult male, experimentally naive chinchilla reported - Death shortly after presentation with extreme lethargy, tachypnea - Leukocytosis, neutrophilia with left shift, lymphopenia; azotemia, hyperglycemia, electrolye imbalances, cholestasis, hepatocellular damage - Histo: neutrophilic enterocolitis with surface bacterial colonization by G(-) rods; lesions suggestive of septicemia (neutrophilic infiltrates, fibrin thrombi, edemain lungs; neutrophilic inflamm of GI tract, neutrophilic tubulonephritis in kidneys - enteric infx w/ subsequent septicemia & DIC - Dx: culture of kidney and spleen - attaching and effacing E. coli - Considered part of normal chinchilla flora = opportunistic

Answer 43

- Chronic respiratory disease: Bordetella sp., Streptococcus sp., Pasteurella sp. - Enteritis and diarrhea: Proteus sp., E. coli

Answer 44

NO REPORTS of natural or experimental infx of chinchillas with these agents

Answer 45

NO REPORTS of naturally occurring chlamydial infx in chinchillas

Answer 46

- Herpes simplex virus 1 - enveloped DNA virus - Family Herpesviridae, Genus Simplexvirus - Clin signs: progressive neurologic dz w/ disorientation, seizures, atonic lateral recumbency; conjunctivitis, mydriasis, uveitis, purulent rhinitis, sudden death - Tranmission: in one case ocular infx, spread from a person, thought to be source - Necropsy: Discoloration of perineal fur, pale & friable liver, white foci and coagulative necrosis of adrenal gland, splenic necrosis, polioencephalitis with neuronal necrosis, nonsuppurative meningitis, purulent rhinitis, ulcerative keratitis, uveitis, retinal degeneration & inflamm, optic neuritis, INTRANUCLEAR INCLUSION BODIES - Dx: IHC, virus isolation & genetic sequencing - Ddx: consider other causes of neuro dz - Control: people actively shedding herpes should avoid contact with chinchillas; ZOONOTIC - Research complications: infected chinchillas may have clinical disease or die

Answer 47

- Susceptible to natural infection - Infection may be subclinical as in other rodents - ZOONOTIC

Answer 48

- Previously common on fur ranches, now rare - Necropsy: hemorrhagic lungs, enlarged spleen, enlarged mesenteric LNs - Tissue cyst formation occurs in sheep, cattle, pigs, horses, dogs, cars, chinchillas, humans - One report of focal necrotic meningoencephalitis d/t T. gondii with separate brain cysts - Ddx: Frenkelia

Answer 49

- Coccidian parasite of Microtus (voles) and Ondatra zibethicus (muskrat) - Cyst reported in brain of a lab chinchilla - Ddx: toxoplasmosis

Answer 50

- Normal chinchillas may harbor, including Giardia duodenalis -may be ZOONOTIC - Usually subclinical; signs include inappetence, diarrhea, weight loss, poor fur condition - Stress and poor husbandry may increase Giardia load - Dx: microscopic identification of trophozoites or cysts in fresh fecal smear; ELISA on feces - Tx: Albendazole (25 mg/kg PO Q12h for 2 days), fenbendazole (50 mg/kg Po Q24h for 3 days), metronidazole (10-20 mg/kg PO Q12h with caution) - Treatment may inhibit cyst production rather than fully eradicate = thoroughly disinfect environment to prevent reinfection

Answer 51

- Eimeria chinchillae: chinchillas, G pigs, hamsters, mice, rat, rabbit - Hepatic sarcocystosis: case report of acute death - Cryptosporidium sp.: gastroenteritis - Trichomonas muris, T. wenyani, T. minuta, & a form resembling T. microta has all been reported in chinchillas

Answer 52

-Baylisascaris procyonis: ataxia, torticollis, paralysis, tumbling; exposure was from hay contaminated with raccoon feces

Answer 53

- Intermediate host for Taenia serialis, Taenia pisiformis, Taenia crassiceps, Echinococcus granulosus, Hymenolepis nana - Exposure via ingestion of hay contaminated with feces from infected dof - Echinococcus multilocularis: abdominal distension, multiple hepatic vesicles and cysts - Taenia coenurus: case of unilateral exophthalmos d/t a cyst comprised of multiple invaginated protoscolices, characterized by a prominent scolex with refractile hooklets, suckers, and abundant calcareous corpuscles

Answer 54

- Reports of ectoparasites in chinchillas quite rare - Cheyletiella - fur mites, acquired from co-housing with dogs or cats; tx with ivermectin (0.2-0.4 mg/kg SC Q7-14d), 2.5% lime sulfur dips (q7d), pyrethrin powder (q7d)

Answer 55

- Trichophyton mentagrophytes (most common), Microsporum gypseum, Microsporum canis - Clin signs: subclinical; well-defined areas of alopecia with scaling, crust formation, erythema - usually non-pruritic & around eyes, nose, head, ears, flanks, tail, forefeet - Transmission: direct contact with infected person or animal, contact with infected hair or scale on fomites - T. mentagrophytes & M. canis = ZOONOTIC - Necropsy: Tissue section stained with Periodic acid Schiff (PAS) or methamine silver stain: detect arthroconidia and hyphae - Pathogenesis: Colonize keratinized layer of skin, hair, nails; infection does not occur in healthy intact skin; allergic inflammatory response to fungus or its metabolic products; young, old, or immune suppressed predisposed to clinical infx - Dx: fungal culture with dermatophyte test medium (DTM); skin scraping- clear sample of keratin with chlorolactophenol or KOH; Wood's lamp for M. canis apple-green fluorescence - Control: isolate or remove infected animals, disinfect environment - Tx: may be self-limiting, but if not topical tx includes 2% chlorhexidine/2% miconazole shampoo or 0.2% enilconazole rinse; systemic tx includes terbinafine, itraconazole, ketoconazole - Research complications: may not be suitable for study if clinical signs

Answer 56

- Fungus that grows in soil; most common in southeastern, mid-Atlantic, & central US states - Clin signs: anorexia, weight loss, constipation, tachypnea; death within 2-4 d of resp signs - H. capsulatum cultured from hay fed to chinchilla - Necropsy: emphysematous lungs with foci of hemorrhage and bronchopneumonia, enlarged spleen with white nodules, focal necrosis of liver, empty GI tract - Histo: proliferation of septal cells & focal consolidation in lungs, fibrinous pleuritis, multiple focal granulomas in liver, splenic necrosis & abscessation, glomerular nephritis, distended LN sinuses - H. capsulatum organisms seen in lungs, liver, spleen, kidneys, LNs

Answer 57

- Cheek tooth crown and root abnormalities (CT useful to dx) - Malocclusion w/ periodontitis, alveolar periostitis, alveolar abscessation of maxillary and mandibular cheek teeth - Esophageal choke: cannot vomit; drooling, dyspnea, anorexia; more common in animals that eat bedding or postparturient females that eat placentas - Bloat/Tympany: lactating females d/t overeating; also sudden diet changes, GI inflammation; distended abdomen, laterally recumbent, lethargic, dyspneic; tx: gastric tube or trochar deompression - decompression can result in collapse and death - Gastric trichobezoars: anorexia, fur chewing; papaya tablets & pineapple juice are anecdotal remedies; if dehydrated & anorexic - supplemental fluids, gastric motility stimulants, high fiber food supplements (Critical Care)

Answer 58

- Cause: insufficient roughage or fiber; obesity, intestinal obstruction, intestinal compression due to large fetuses, intestinal intussusception - Tx: increase fiber (gradually add apples, carrots, dark lettuces), eliminate grains and raisins; enteral fluid therapy (100 ml/kg PO Q24h divided into 4-5 doses); abdominal massage; regular exercise - If no blockage, cisapride (0.5 mg/kg Po Q8h) may help - In chronic cases, may have intestinal torsion, impaction of cecum or colonic flexure - need surgery - Rectal prolapse, intussusception of descending colon and rectum may also occur - If intussusception ruled out, rectal prolapse can be replaced with dextrose & purse string suture; bland soft diet for 10 days post-prolapse

Answer 59

- Clin signs: inappetence, lethargy, weight loss, PU/PD, catarcts - Hyperglycemia (normal around 210 mg/dl), glucosuria, ketonuria - Histo: vacuolation of pancreatic islets - Tx: adjust diet to high protein & complex carbs, low fat; may supplement diet with 50 μg chromium per kg of diet - Typically hard to regulate in rodents

Answer 60

- Clin signs: weight loss, poor body condition, pytalism & malodorous breath, multifocal mild alopecia, unilateral seromucous lacrimation - Tx: thiamazole ointment applied to concave aspect of pinna (inital dose 0.15 mL then 0.1 ml)

Answer 61

- Common necropsy finding | - May be related to adverse effects of alfalfa in chinchillas, other rodents, rabbits

Answer 62

- Predator avoidance mechanism - can release a large patch of fur in order to escape - A clean smooth area of skin is let behind & hair may take several months to grow

Answer 63

- Bite wounds with abscessation common in group-housed animals - Culture - Staphylococcus common - Females larger than males & more aggressive

Answer 64

- Fractures of tibia common - assoc w/ animal catching hind limb in cage bar; tibia is longer than the femur - May be able to stabilize with a needle as an IM pin, or wire or external fixation; place E-collar & on cage rest for 4 weeks minimum - Bandaging alone seldom successful - Amputation is well tolerated

Answer 65

- Usually give birth in early morning - Dystocia usually assoc w/ a single oversized fetus or malpresentation of one or more kits - Causes: uterine torsion, uterine inertia - Tx: initial 0.5-1 IU/kg oxytocin and 25-50 mg/kg SC diluted calcium gluconate; if labor still unproductive after 4 h, C-section

Answer 66

- Rare - Acute metritis may be unresponsive to treatment - but plan should include systemic antibiotics +/- a dose of oxytocin - Tx for chronic pyometra or metritis: OVH w/ systemic abx

Answer 67

- Interhemal membrane of the placental labyrinth is hemomonochorial = single layer of trophoblast - similar to the guinea pig - Rare puerperal disorder of trophoblastic emboli in a chinchillas resulting pulmonary embolism

Answer 68

- Males that groom extensively, frequently produce small amounts of urine, strain to urinate, and/or repeatedly clean penis may be fur ring around the penis and under the prepuce - Severe cases results in engorged penis and paraphimosis - Males should be examined for fur rings at least 4x a year; active stud males every few days - Tx: apply sterile lubricant and cut or gently roll of fur ring

Answer 69

- Tempt range of 65-80 F (18.3-26.7 C), especially with high humidity - Add units of temp in F + humidity = any value greater than 150 may induce heatstroke - Obesity and periods of increased activity (dust bathing) may also predispose - Clin signs: reslessness, PD; progress to recumbency, tachypnea, bright red mucous membranes, hyperemic pinnae, thickened saliva, occasionally bloody diarrhea, rectal temp >103 F (39.4 C) - Tx: cool in tepid water, rehdyrate with IV or SC fluids as needed

Answer 70

- May barber own and cagemates' fur - Area over lumber spine often affected - Considered behavioral disorder due to overcrowding or stress; boredom, small caging, draughts, high ambient temps - Tx with fluoxetine (5-10 mg/kg Po Q24h) has been suggested but not described

Answer 71

- Temps exceeding 80F (26.7 C) at high humidity without adequate access to dust bath - Recommend dust bath availability for 15 min per day or at least several times a weeks

Answer 72

- Excessive dust bathing, dirty poor-quality bedding, inadequate cage ventilation, underlying nasolacrimal duct obstruction - Pseudomonas aeruginosa may be involved - Dx: florescein stain, conjunctival swab culture - Tx: restrict dust bath access, lavage conjunctival sac, broad-spectrum antibiotic ophthalmic ointment - Also systemic abx and supportive care for cases of systemic P. aeruginosa

Answer 73

- Susceptible like guinea pigs | - Abx that target G(+) bacteria, such as penicillins, cephalosporins, clindamycin, lincomycin, erythromycin

Answer 74

-Rare anecdotal reports of liver failure

Answer 75

- Despite living up to 20 yr, neoplasia reports in chinchillas are rare - Neuroblastoma, carcinoma, lipoma, hemangioma, malignant lymphoma, uterine leiomyosarcoma, gastric adenocarcinoma, salivary gland carcinoma, lumbar osteosarcoma

Answer 76

Malocclusion (may be congenital or traumatic)

Answer 77

Schistosomus reflexus fetus reported

Answer 78

- Cardiomyopathy, congenital septal defects, valvular disease - Heart murmurs often detected in chinchillas - Tx is empiric - diuretics, sodium channel blockers like amlodipine - Fulminant heart failure has a poor prognosis

Answer 79

- Dental disease very common - Malocclusion of cheek teeth more common than incisors - Continued apical growth of maloccluded teeth results in remodeling of surrounding tissues, facilitating tooth root elongation and palpable rounded bony protrusions along mandible - Tooth root elongation of maxillary premolars and molars can impinge on the lacrimal ducts, causing epiphora - Elongation of second and third maxillary molar roots can interfere with retraction of eyes into sockets, rarely causing proptosis - Formation of spurs or spikes typically on the buccal aspect - Clin signs: weight loss, drooling ('slobbers'), unilateral or bilateral epiphora, dysphagia, clear nasal discharge, retained food in mouth - Food and hair impaction in periodontal pockets may lead to tooth root abscesses - Prevention: ensure diet include high fiber grass hays & monocotyledonous plants to promote normal chewing - Damage to tongue or buccal surfaces, or abscessation: meloxicam (0.2-0.5 mg/kg Q24h), enrofloxacin (20 mg/kg Q24h) - Supportive feeding after tooth trimming and jaw muscles adjust to shorter teeth

Answer 80

- Bialteral posterior cortical cataracts - Asteroid hyalosis - Reference ranges for IOP vary: around 17-18 mmHg or around 2.9 mm Hg

Answer 81

- Oxalate nephrosis - Urinary calculi and urolithiasis - calcium carbonate account for 90%; hematuria, stranguria, dysuria; radiographs to confirm diagnosis - Case of Cuterebra SC myiasis - Case of lead poisoning with acute convulsions and blindness; tx: chelation therapy with calcium disodium versenate (CaEDTA 30 mg/kg SC Q12h)

Chapter 9. Biology and Diseases of Chinchillas Flashcards

(105 cards)