Hamsters Flashcards
What suborder are hamsters?
Myopmorpha
What is the lifespan of a hamster?
2-3 years
How much urine do hamsters produce?
5.4-8.4mL/day (He said a lot of urine)
(T/F) Hamsters have cheek pouches present and small cecums which means they can get antibiotics no problem.
False, they do have cheek pouches but they have large cecums which means they are sensitive to antibiotics
What is the function of cheek pouches in hamsters?
Used to transport food and nest material. In research is used as an immunopriviledged site (transfer cancers to see if they grow)
Where are the sebaceous glands located in hamsters that are used for marking territory and mating behavior?
Located on flank
When can hamsters become aggressive?
When their sleep is disturbed just like vet students
When are hamsters most active?
Crepuscular activity – Dawn and dusk
What kind of nutrition do hamsters have?
They are omnivorous – vegetables, seeds, fruits, and meat and they eat multiple meals per day
What does it mean that hamsters are coprophagous?
They eat their own droppings which is a source of Vit. B and K
In hamsters, the anogenital distance is greater in the (male/female)?
Male
What is the gestation time for hamsters?
15-18 days (shortest of lab animals)
What will the female hamsters do to the pups if they are stressed?
Eat them up
Which location sites is appropriate to collect blood from a hamster?
Jugular and mandibular (under sedation)
What organism is the main culprit of proliferative ileitis (wet tail) in hamsters?
Clostridium difficile
The clinical signs of proliferative ileitis in hamsters are lethargy, anorexia, ruffled coat, typhlitis, diarrhea, dehydration and death. What kind of lesions can you see?
Hyperplasia of ileal epithelium
What is the transmission route of proliferative ileitis in hamsters?
Fecal oral route
What is the treatment of proliferative ileitis in hamsters?
Gentamicin 2-4 mg/kg BID orally
When do we see a surge of proliferative ileitis in hamsters?
Post antibiotic therapy, stress, poor diet, recently weaned
Which virus can hamsters carry but not show signs that can cause pneumonia in other animals?
Sendai virus (Murine parainfluenza virus type 1)
What is the main malignant neoplasia in hamsters that can be located in the skin, GI or kidneys?
Lymphosarcoma
What is the primary cause of death in old hamsters?
Amyloidosis
The main clinical sign difference between wet tail and tyzzers disease in hamsters is…
Acute mortality (other clinical signs you will see is severe and/or bloody diarrhea, perianal staining)
What organism is the main culprit for Tyzzer’s disease in hamsters?
Clostridium piliforme
