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GAB: AH&PVMPH > Exotic & Small Mammal Husbandry > Flashcards

Exotic & Small Mammal Husbandry Flashcards

(89 cards)

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1
Q

Rabbit basics

A

Live 8-12 years in captivity
Social animals
Prey animals
Most active at dawn and dusk

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2
Q

Indicators of a relaxed rabbit

A

Ears close together, pointing slightly down and back
Face relaxed
Often lying down

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3
Q

Dutch rabbit identification

A

White blaze and saddle
Black, brown or ginger
Medium sized with upright ears and compact body

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4
Q

English rabbit identification

A

Distinctive markings:
Eye circles
Cheek spots
Coloured ears
Medium sized with upright ears

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5
Q

Rex rabbit identification

A

Soft and velvety
Medium sized, round and compact body
Wide range of colours

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6
Q

Continental Giant rabbit identification

A

Very large: >5kg
Long body and ears
Soft, dense coat
Wide variety of colours
Shorter lifespan

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7
Q

Mini/Dwarf Lop rabbit identification

A

Lop ears and flat faces
Small - mini <1.6kg and dwarf <2.4kg

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8
Q

Netherland Dwarf rabbit identification

A

Distinctive short, straight ears
Small
Wide variety of colours
Flighty and high energy, require lots of exercise

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9
Q

Lionhead rabbit identification

A

Distinctive “lion’s mane”
Mane is thick, wooly and soft with crimping
Small, short, round body
Short, thick ears
Variety of colours

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10
Q

Male rabbit genitalia identification

A

Long anogenital distance
Round genital opening
Scrotum/testes can be visualised when descended

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11
Q

Female rabbit genitalia identification

A

Short anogenital distance
Slit-like genital opening

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12
Q

Principles of handling rabbits

A

Be aware of both prey animal behaviour and fragile skeleton
Prepare a suitable handling space beforehand: away from predators, clean and free of obstacles/hazards
Evaluate from a distance first
Approach quietly, avoiding sudden movements
Scoop into arms, firmly supporting back
Hold/support hindlegs to prevent spinal damage from kicking out

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13
Q

Rabbit restraint

A

Do NOT flip onto back
Covering eyes may calm rabbit
Wrap firmly in a blanket/towel “burrito” if needed, taking care not to restrict breathing - 2 fingers should fit between neck and towel

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14
Q

Mice characteristics

A

Live 1.5-2.5 years in captivity
Should be kept in groups
Nocturnal
Prey animals, shy

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15
Q

Rat characteristics

A

Live in groups
Nocturnal
Live wild in a variety of habitats

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16
Q

Hamster characteristics

A

2-3 year lifespan in captivity
Nocturnal
Several different species kept as pets
Syrian hamsters are solitary
Dwarf hamsters live in groups in the wild BUT often fight in captivity

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17
Q

Syrian hamster identification

A

Large (90-130g)
Variety of colours
Can be short or long haired

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18
Q

Chinese hamster identification

A

Small (<50g)
Often have a dorsal stripe
Longer tail than other dwarf hamsters
Long, slender body

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19
Q

Russian Dwarf Campbell hamster identification

A

Small (<50g)
Stocky and broad with short legs and short tail
Multiple colours, but often brown with lighter ventrum

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20
Q

Russian Dwarf Winter White hamster identification

A

Small (<50g)
Stocky and broad with short legs and short tail
Light to white coats which change colour with the season

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21
Q

Roborovski hamster identification

A

Very small (18-28g)
Short and broad body
Multiple colours but usually brown with a lighter ventrum

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22
Q

Gerbil characteristics

A

Diurnal (day living) prey animal
3 year lifespan in captivity
Susceptible to tail damage

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23
Q

Male small rodent genital identification

A

Long anogenital distance
Testes will be obvious if entire and descended

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24
Q

Female small rodent genital identification

A

Short anogenital distance

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25
Principles of handling small rodents
Ask owners whether animal is used to handling Hold low over a surface Towel may be useful
26
How to lift non-hamster small rodents
Do NOT lift by tail Scoop from underneath and cup in hands if tame Alternatively, tunnel handling may be used but make sure animal doesn't jump out of one end
27
How to lift a rat
Hold under front legs with one hand, support hindlimbs and back end with the other
28
How to lift a hamster
Take your time to wake up the hamster before handling Do NOT pick up by scruff of neck Scoop into cupped hands or towel Clear container may be used for aggressive animals
29
Guinea Pig characteristics
Live in colonies in the wild, should NOT be kept alone 6 year lifespan in captivity Very vocal
30
Short-haired/English/American guinea pig identification
Short, smooth coat Wide range of colours
31
Abyssinian guinea pig identification
Hair grows in rosette-like whorls Many colours
32
Peruvian guinea pig identification
Longhair (needs regular brushing) Long, soft, dense sweeps of hair Wide variety of colours
33
Skinny pig identification
Hairless (ish) guinea pig May have some hair on nose, feet, legs Skin problems are common
34
Female guinea pig sex identification
Short anogenital distance Y shaped genital opening
35
Male guinea pig sex identification
Longer anogenital distance Round prepuce
36
Principles of guinea pig handling
Move quickly when scared - do not let them run off of the table Towel on the table helps avoid slipping
37
Chinchilla characteristics
Dense fur Big round ears Big head Nocturnal 10-15 year lifespan in captivity May hunch up with closed eyes during the day - sleepy
38
Degu characteristics
Small and round Diurnal Live in groups 5-8 year lifespan in captivity
39
Female chinchilla/degu sex identification
Short anogenital distance
40
Male chinchilla/degu sex identification
Short anogenital distance Testes between anus and prepuce - larger in chinchillas, smaller in degus
41
Principles of handling chinchillas and degus
Fast and agile - plan your approach and be vigilant Support gently around shoulders with one hand, other hand cupping rump Fur slip can occur if handled while stresses Burrito may be required if wriggly
42
Ferret characteristics
Social animals Predators 6-10 year life expectancy in captivity
43
Male ferret sex identification
Prepuce and testes
44
Female ferret sex identification
Slit-like vulva - enlarges when in oestrus
45
Principles of ferret handling
Be aware of behavioural differences between working and pet ferrets Gauntlets necessary if aggressive or unused to handling Hold around shoulders Holding vertically may reduce wriggling Treats are a useful distraction
46
African Pygmy Hedgehog characteristics
Nocturnal Solitary Do not hibernate Many colours Considered an advanced pet May self-anoint with unfamiliar substances
47
Principles of handling african pygmy hedgehogs
Will roll up if stressed Give them time to relax Gentle head to tail stroking may encourage them to unroll Treats (eg mealworms) can be used to distract or to get them to unroll Can grasp legs to hold in a wheelbarrow position once partially unrolled
48
Five freedoms
Freedom from fear and distress Freedom from pain, injury and distress Freedom from discomfort Freedom from hunger and thirst Freedom to express natural behaviours
49
3Rs of animal research
Reduction - use only as many animals as absolutely needed Replacement - replace with non-animal methods or less complex animals where possible Refinement - improve lab animal welfare and reduce their suffering
50
Protected animals under A(SP)A
All vertebrates (except humans) plus cephalopods Birds, mammals and reptiles from 2/3 of the way through gestation/incubation In other animals, from when they can feed
51
3 levels of A(SP)A licenses
Personal license - those carrying out procedures Project license - program for which procedures are being carried out Establishment license - place where procedures take place
52
A(SP)A Law
Protects animals used in research Requires all 3 licenses to be held Controlled by home office (eg issuing licenses)
53
How are A(SP)A Named People regulated?
By Home Office Representatives (Inspectors)
54
Role of Animal Welfare Ethical Review Board
Promote awareness of animal welfare and the 3Rs Discussion and development of the ethical guidance provided to license holders Provide support in dealing with animal welfare and staff training Promote a "culture of care"
55
Rodent and rabbit enrichment to meet natural behaviours
Nesting material Hides Tunnels Forage Solitary or group housing as appropriate
56
Rodent and rabbit natural behaviour key points
Hierarchical - if disrupted, will be re-established by fighting Pheromones play a key role in hierarchy - leave some bedding when cleaning to maintain pheromones Climbing, tunnelling and play behaviours Personal and social grooming
57
Ferret natural behaviour key points
Lots of climbing, tunnelling and play behaviour Look with their teeth! Very curious Can be hyperactive - need exercise Seek out tunnels and narrow gaps Live in groups, very social but can become territorial especially when hormonal
58
Fish and amphibian natural behaviour key points
Prey species - need places to hide Should be kept in groups Keep in mixed sex groups - can become egg-bound otherwise
59
Fish and amphibian enrichment
Places to hide Plants Appropriate substrate Amphibians need areas to surface
60
Rabbit housing requirements
Should be housed in pairs - social behaviour highly motivated but bonding is not straightforward 3m wide 2m deep 1m high area is advised for 2 rabbits MUST be secure from predators Must be able to hide, stretch, dig, graze and jump Avoid hard flooring
61
Problems due to inappropriate rabbit housing
Pododermatitis from hard/cage flooring Stress from being kept alone FBO especially in house rabbits (human food, house plants, anything left lying around) Injuries from humans in house rabbits - shut in doors, stepped on Savaging by wild animals (outdoor rabbits) or other pets
62
Rabbit nutritional needs
High fibre, low carbohydrate diet Unlimited high quality hay/grass 1 handful twice daily of greens/veg/herbs Variety Avoid fruit or carrots Introduce new foods slowly Avoid muesli Use pellets sparingly or not at all - max 1 eggcup daily Opportunities to forage (get creative with food based enrichment)
63
Problems due to inappropriate rabbit nutrition
Obesity, dental issues
64
Preventative healthcare for rabbits
Vaccination against myxomatosis and RVHD from 5 weeks old (including indoor rabbits!!) Regular checkups Consider parasite control and reproductive control
65
Mouse and rat housing needs
Housing in pairs or groups Good ventilation Non-dusty bedding Secure housing to prevent escape Space and equipment for exercise Multiple food bowls and hides to avoid competition Places to hide Toys/enrichment
66
Problems arising from poor mouse or rat husbandry
Respiratory issues from dusty bedding and/or inadequate ventilation Obesity in rats from lack of exercise
67
Hamster housing needs
Keep alone Avoid cotton wool or other fluffy bedding Opportunity for (supervised) exercise
68
Problems arising from inappropriate hamster housing
Impaction from eating fluffy bedding, especially cotton wool Injuries from fighting if kept in groups
69
Gerbil housing needs
Keep in pairs or groups Burrowing material Smooth enclosure walls to avoid injuries when burrowing Sand bath
70
Guinea pig housing needs
Keep in pairs or groups Soft bedding Multiple hides
71
Problems arising from inappropriate guinea pig housing
Pododermatitis from inadequate bedding
72
Chinchilla housing needs
Not too hot! - prone to overheating Keep in pairs or groups Multilevel housing to allow climbing and jumping Sand bath Soft/varied floor
73
Problems arising from inappropriate chinchilla housing
Pododermatitis from wire/hard floor Overheating in warm weather/climates or central heating
74
Degu housing needs
Keep in pairs or groups Sand bath Opportunity to climb and burrow
75
Ferret housing needs
Keep away from prey animals Beware FBI if keeping outdoors Keep in pairs or groups Tubes/tunnels/burrowing opportunities
76
African pygmy hedgehog housing needs
Supplementary heat source Smooth floors and walls Lots of space Regular exercise outside enclosure
77
Guinea pig nutritional needs
Hay Vegetables Pellets CONTAINING VITAMIN C
78
Problems arising from inappropriate guinea pig nutrition
Hypovitaminosis C as guinea pigs cannot synthesise vitamin C Causes bleeding gums, tooth loss, joint inflammation, shabby coat, poor wound healing Avoid feeding pellets containing vitamin C Require more vitamin C when growing or pregnant
79
Chinchilla nutritional needs
Hay and pellets Can get diarrhoea from dried herbs/pellets/veg so use only as an occasional treat
80
Degu nutritional needs
Hay, pellets and veg Avoid sugary treats May need vitamin C supplementation
81
Problems arising from inappropriate degu nutrition
Type 2 diabetes from feeding sugary foods/treats
82
Ferret nutritional needs
Obligate carnivores High protein, high fat, low carbohydrate diet Can be fed raw but meat alone is nutritionally incomplete (whole prey is better) and same risks apply as for dogs/cats Complete ferret pellets now available but cat food pellets will do in a pinch Small, frequent meals due to short GIT transit time
83
Problems arising from inappropriate ferret nutrition
FBI (bones) from whole prey Pathogens from raw feed - especially since ferrets hide food, leading to spoiling Nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism (metabolic bone disease) Obesity
84
African pygmy hedgehog nutritional needs
Omnivorous Hedgehog pellets or low fat cat food Mealworms etc as occasional treats and calcium supplementation Can give veg Limit food intake as prone to obesity
85
Rabbit diseases of importance and their signs
Myxomatosis - swollen eyelids and genitals Rabbit viral haemmorhagic disease - sudden death (strain 1) or vague GIT signs followed by death (strain 2)
86
Preventative healthcare for rodents
Ectoparasite control Regular checkups Reproductive control
87
Preventative healthcare for ferrets
Regular checkups Reproductive control Parasite control Rabies vaccine if travelling outside UK Canine distemper vaccine for "at risk" (exposed to dogs, foxes). Consider risk assessment as vaccine is not licensed for ferrets
88
Where should you direct clients for reputable information about rabbits?
Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund
89

GAB: AH&PVMPH (4 decks)

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