Exotic Small Mammal Nutrtion

Question 1

Hind gut fermenters

Answer 1

Rabbits, chinchillas, Guinea pis, degus, prairie dogs, squirrels

Question 2

Model hind gut fermenter

Answer 2

Domestic rabbit

Question 3

How do cecotrophs maximize nutrient digestibilty

Answer 3

Rich in B vitamins and vitamin K
Essential amino acids, VFA, enzymes
Microorganisms

Question 4

Reasons why cecotrophs may not be ingested

Answer 4

Arthritis, obesity, neurological disease, e collar placement

Question 5

Fiber is important for

Answer 5

Dental wear
General oral health
Gastric motility and gut health

Question 6

Fiber goal

Answer 6

20 - 25% in diet

Question 7

Species that do cecotrophy

Answer 7

Lagomorph (rabbits, hares, pikas )

Question 8

Alfalfa hay should be fed to

Answer 8

Lactating females and growing young

May be useful to stimulate appetite, especially in hospital setting

Question 9

Legume hays

Answer 9

Relatively high in calcium

Question 10

Are rabbits dependent on vitamin D for internal absorption?

Answer 10

No

Question 11

Excess Ca in the diet can lead to

Answer 11

Stone formation
Potential urinary obstruction
Bladder “sludge” (crystaluria)

Question 12

Pelleted diets can be good for

Answer 12

Rapid growth and weight gain

Meat, fur, and lab rabbits

Question 13

Fruits can lead to

Answer 13

Dysbiosis - diarrhea, gastric ulcer, poor absorption

Question 14

Hind gut fermenters diet basics

Answer 14

Good quality grass hay 
-free choice
Timothy pellet
-1/8 to 1/4 cup per day
-not essential part of diet
Fresh greens
-2 cups per 5 lbs, body weight 
Parsley, cilantro, dandelion greens, leaf lettuce, kale
"Treats"
-use sparingly, cucumber, carrot, squash
Coprophagy
-directly consumed
-normal and essential

Question 15

Other medical issues related to diet

Answer 15

Dental disease
Obesity
Gastrointestinal stasis

Question 16

Gastrointestinal stasis

Answer 16

Insufficient fiber is one cause

Decreased fecal output

Question 17

Other medical issues related to diet

Answer 17

Dental disease
Obesity
Gastrointestinal stasis

Question 18

Gastrointestinal stasis

Answer 18

Insufficient fiber is one cause

Decreased fecal output

Question 19

Guinea pigs requirement for vitamin C

Answer 19

Incapable to endogenous synthesis
Mutated gene for L-guano-g-lactose oxidase
Prevents conversion of L-guano lactase to L-ascorbits acid

Question 20

Guinea pig diet

Answer 20

1K8 cup Timothy based pellets
Free choice grass hay
Handful of greens
Source vitamin C
Avoid water supplements

Question 21

Guinea pig diseases related to nutrition

Answer 21

Obesity
-pods dermatitis
Diabetes mellitus
Dental disease
Ileum/diarrhea/constipation
Urolithiasis
Hypovitaminosis C
-clinical signs can devloped after as littler s 2 weeks without supplementation

Question 22

Chinchilla family, genus, species

Answer 22

Chinchillidae
Chinchilla
Chinchilla lanigera

Question 23

Diet recommendations for chinchillas

Answer 23

Good quality hay, 1-2 tablespoons, fresh vegetables

Small amount of seeds, grain, nut is okay (limit to 1 tsp per day)

Question 24

Nutrition related disease in chincillas

Answer 24

Urinary calculus, associated with high calcium diets, hepatic lipidasis, diabetes mellitus, dental disease

Question 25

Degu

Answer 25

``` Cavimorph rodent Family octodontidae Endemic to central chile Prone to dental disease Diabetes mellitus -intolerant of high carbohydrate diets -owners typically notice cataracts first ```

Question 26

Prairie dogs

Answer 26

Burrowing rodent Native to North America grasslands Family Sciuridae -Cynams sp

Question 27

How man rodent blocks should rats get

Answer 27

3-4 per day

Question 28

Fresh veggies to a small rodents diet should be no more than

Answer 28

20% of total diet

Question 29

African Pygmy hedgehog

Answer 29

Family Erinaceidae; Atelerix albiventris Nocturnal and very active Insectivorous No cecum

Question 30

Commercial diets for hedgehogs

Answer 30

Mazurka and Zupreen

Question 31

Supplement hedgehog food with

Answer 31

``` Meal worms Super worms (high fat) ```

Question 32

How much to feed hedgehog

Answer 32

20-25 gym kibble/ adult | Once in pm

Question 33

Sugar glider

Answer 33

Family Petaurida, Petauris breviceps

Question 34

Sugar gliders nutritional diseases

Answer 34

Metabolic bone disease Hypocalcemia Hypoglycemia Hypoprotenemia

Question 35

Ferrets

Answer 35

Family Mustelidae | Genus Mustela

Question 36

Ferret diseases possibly linked to food allergies

Answer 36

Inflammatory bowel disease | Eosinophilia gastroenteritis

Question 37

Callitrichids

Answer 37

Marmosets and tamarins | Many dietary requirements vitamin C and vitamin D3

Question 38

Skunks, raccoons, opossums

Answer 38

Should not be pets On invokes Can be maintains similar to dogs