Exotics Flashcards by Sarah Motsinger-Hoff

What is the most common cutaneous tumor in the ferret?

mast cell tumor

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Transmission of myxomatosis

arthropod vectors

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Cutaneous lymphoma has been reported in what small mammals?

hamsters, rabbits, mice, gerbils

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What virus can cause an erythematous rash, hyperkeratosis of footpads, planum nasale, and pinna in ferrets?

canine distemper virus

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What species of dermatophytes can affect small mammals?

Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Microsporum canis, Microsporum gypseum

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What is Myobia musculi? What animals does it infest?

fur mite – rats and mice

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Why must ivermectin be given SQ in guinea pigs?

difficulty with GI absorption

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Scientific name for ferret

Mustela putorius furo

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Most common clinical signs of hyperadrenocorticism in ferrets

alopecia, particularly of tail tip, and bilateral symmetry on flanks; pruritus (30% of cases); swollen vulva; paraurethral cysts; prostatomegaly

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What is the rabbit flea?

Spilopsyllus cuniculi

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What is Myocoptes musculinus? What animals does it infest?

fur mite – rats and mice

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What is Polyplax serrata?

Anoplura - sucking louse - of mice

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Demodex species in hamsters

Demodex aurati (long, follicular); Demodex criceti (short, stratum corneum)

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How is venereal spirochetosis diagnosed?

microscopic visualization of Treponema paraluiscuniculi from skin scrapes, visualization of organisms on biopsy using silver stains; serologic tests used to diagnose human syphilis!

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Treatment of choice for abscesses in rabbits

surgical removal

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Lice found in guinea pigs

Gliricola porcelli (Mallophaga = chewing/biting louse), Gyropus ovalis (Mallophaga)

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T/F: Ketoconazole is not effective for treatment of hyperadrenocorticism in ferrets.

True - and has side effects of hepatotoxicity and thrombocytopenia

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Why is Mitotane (op’-DDD) not recommended in ferrets?

low therapeutic index, often ineffective, can cause profound hypoglycemia

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What is an important vector of myxomatosis in rabbits?

Spilopsyllus cuniculi

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Parasites that affect rats and mice

Myobia musculi, Myocoptes musculinus, Radfordia ensifera, Notoedres muris, Liponyssus bacoti, Polyplax spinulosa, Polyplax serrata

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T/F: Mast cell tumors in ferrets have a poor prognosis.

False - usually benign and has a good prognosis with surgical removal

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New World rabbits are very resistant to this disease, but Old World rabbits are extremely susceptible.

Myxomatosis - caused by a myxoma virus of pox virus group

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Parasites that can affect guinea pigs

Trixacarus caviae, Chirodiscoides caviae (fur mite)

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Mouse pox is caused by what?

orthopoxvirus

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Abscesses in rabbits are usually infected with what organism?

Pasteurella multocida

Sebaceous adenitis has been reported in what small mammals?

rabbits

What are treatments for Treponema paraluiscuniculi (Rabbit syphilis)?

Penicillin G, given SQ q7d x 3 doses; CHPC BID x 4 weeks, Azithromycin PO SID-BID x 15 days

Clinical signs associated with Psoroptes cuniculi in rabbits

otitis externa, otitis media -- head shaking, pruritus of ears, head and/or ear dropping

What is the causative organism of Rabbit syphilis?

Treponema paraluiscuniculi

Zinc-responsive dermatosis has been reported in what zoo animal?

Llamas

What is Radfordia ensifera?

Rat fur mite

What is the prognosis for rabbits infected with myxoma virus (pox virus)?

poor - morbidity and mortality approach 100%

Causes of nodular dermatoses in small mammals?

infectious/ulcerative pododermatitis, myxomatosis, mouse pox, trichofolliculoma, other neoplasms such as fibromas and SCC, congenital malformations

T/F: Pituitary-dependent hyperadrenocorticism is more common than adrenal-dependent in ferrets.

False - adrenocortical hyperplasia or neoplasia is the finding in 100% of ferrets with this disease, pituitaroy neoplasia has not been found with this disease

What is the most common secondary infection in pododermatitis of rabbits?

Staphylococcus aureus

Treatment for sebaceous adenitis in small mammals

cyclosporin 5 mg/kg and medium chain triglycerides q24h

What is Liponyssus bacoti?

tropical rat mite

What is Polyplax spinulosa?

Anoplura - sucking louse - of rats

What do Polyplax serrata (mice) and Polyplax spinulosa (rats) serve as vectors for?

Mycoplasma (Haemobartonella) muris, Encephalitozoon cuniculi, Eperythrozoon coccoides

Parasites that affect hamsters

Notoedres muris

Cutaneous neoplasias reported in ferrets?

Mast cell tumor (most common), cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, leiomyosarcoma, melanoma, chordoma (metastases in the skin)

Clinical signs associated with Notoedres muris in hamsters and rats

hamsters: affects ears, face, genitalia; rats: can have nasal "horns"

What is the most common secondary infection in pododermatitis of guinea pigs?

Staphylococcus aureus or Corynebacterium pyogenes

Risk factors for ulcerative pododermatitis in guinea pigs?

obesity, poor hygiene, hypovitaminosis C, wire flooring

Demodicosis is most common in what small mammal?

Hamsters - specifically the Syrian hamster (Mesocricetus auratus)

What is a fur slip? In what species does it occur?

chinchillas - when frightened or stressed, this species will shed tufts of hair (fur) - may take 3-5 months to regrow

Most common species of Cheyletiella in rabbits?

Cheyletiella parasitovorax

Aromatase inhibitors such as anastrazole are used to treat what disease in ferrets?

hyperadrenocorticism - when estradiol is elevated; The aromatase inhibitor blocks aromatase, which is needed for the final step in estrogen synthesis

Which small mammals can be affected by cutaneous lymphoma? Clinical signs?

Hamsters >> rabbits, guinea pigs, mice; Severe alopecia and crusting

How is infectious ectromelia (mouse pox) diagnosed?

electron microscopy, IHC, serologic testing, virus isolation, PCR

What skin lesion can hypovitaminosis C cause in guinea pigs?

scaling of the pinnae

Transmission of infectious ectromelia (mouse pox)

oral-fecal, respiratory, skin abrasion, contact with contaminated bedding, serum

What is a potential long-term complication of ulcerative pododermatitis in guinea pigs?

systemic amyloidosis

Treatment of choice for hyperadrenocorticism in ferrets

surgical removal of affected adrenal gland(s) and administration of gonadotropin-releasing hormone analog deslorelin acetate

T/F: Demodicosis is common in ferrets.

FALSE

Hyperadrenocorticism is most common in what small mammal?

hamsters, ferrets

Cystic ovaries are most common in what small mammal?

guinea pig

Causes of chelitis in guinea pigs

Rough forage, acidic fruit, Hypovitaminosis C, Pox Virus (in UK)

Clinical signs of Treponema paraluiscuniculi (Rabbit syphilis)?

crusts, erythema, edema, vesicles, ulcers, proliferative lesions on face & perineum -- lesions are PAINFUL not pruritic; metritis, abortion and neonatal death

Clinical signs of infectioius ectromelia (mouse pox)

small crusts, papules, swellings, ulceration, necrosis of feet, ear, or tail

Why should aminoglycosides be avoided in treatment of otitis in chinchillas?

causes oto-neuro-toxicity

Thymoma has been reported in what small mammals?

rabbits

Causes of alopecia without pruritus in small mammals

dermatophytes, barbering, shedding, Demodex spp., endocrinopathies

T/F: Rabbit syphilis is zoonotic.

FALSE

What is the first differential for a pruritic guinea pig?

Trixacarus caviae (guinea pig sarcoptid mite) -- convulsions resembling seizures can be seen in affected guinea pigs due to the intense pruritus and debilitation

Figurate erythema has been seen in association with what disease in ferrets? Recommended treatment?

seen with hyperadrenocorticism or after adrenalectomy; Rx essential fatty acids at feline dose

What is Leporacarus gibbus?

fur mite of rabbits

Risk factors for ulcerative pododermatitis in rabbits?

obesity, wet bedding, grid floors, rough cages, unsanitary conditions, hereditary factors -- most common in Rex rabbits

Androgen receptor blockers such as bicalutamide may be useful in ferrets under what circumstances?

when prostatic hypertrophy occurs with hyperadrenocorticism

Clinical signs of Myxomatosis (caused by myxoma virus)?

edema of head, ears, eyelids, genitalis, milky oculonasal discharge; lethargy, fever; myoxmas= firm, non-pruritic, erythematous nodules

How is myxomatosis diagnosed?

clinical signs, microscopic lesions, virus isolation

Melatonin can be an adjunctive therapy in what disease of ferrets?

hyperadrenocorticism - may be effective for hair regrowth; does NOT reduce the size of adrenal glands

Causes of scaling and crusting dermatoses in small mammals

Cheyletiella sp. Mites, venereal spirochetosis (rabbit syphilis), hypovitaminosis C, sebaceous adenitis, cutaneous lymphoma, thymoma

Pathogenesis of hyperadrenocorticism in ferrets

after neutering --> on negative feedback on GnRH (gonadotrophin-releasing hormone) --> hyperplasia of zona reticularis --> elevation of adrenal androgens (androstenedione, 17-alpha-hydroxyprogesterone, DHEAS) and estradiol

T/F: ACTH stimulation test is the diagnostic of choice for hyperadrenocorticism in ferrets.

False - just need to measure sex hormones (17-alpha-hydroxyprogesterone, estradiol, androstenedione, DHEAS)

Parasites that can affect rabbits

Psoroptes cuniculi, Ctenocephalides sp., Spilopsyllus cuniculi (rabbit flea), Sarcoptes scabeii