rodents Flashcards
(92 cards)
T or F: rodents are the most numerous of all mammalian species
true
are rodents herbivorous, omnivorous or carnivorous?
can be either herbivorous or omnivorous
why do rodents have nocturnal habits and most have rapid flight?
because they are subject to predators
what do rodents gain due to their nocturnal habits
good sense of smell and hearing ( due to their lack of vision)
what does it mean when someone says rodents are on the fast track?
they develop rapidly, reproduce quickly and have a short lifespan
what is the sexual maturity, gestation and lifespan of small rodents ( gerbils, rats and mice)?
sexual maturity - 6-10 weeks
Gestation - 3 wks
lifespan- 1-3 yrs (mouse: 1.5-2.5 yrs , rat: 2.5 - 3.5 yrs)
what is the gestation and lifespan of guinea pigs?
gestation - 2-2.5 months
lifespan - 8 yrs
what is the gestation and lifespan of chinchillas?
gestation - 3.5 months
lifespan - 18 yrs
what is the largest known rodent species?
Capybara (66 kg) most rodents weight less than 100g
why are rodents prone to heat stress?
have no sweat glands and cannot pant
T or F mice are coprophagic but mice are not.
false they are both corporphagic
they need to do this because their feces contain nutrients produced by colonic bacteria
common name for Mus musculus is
house mouse
common name for Rattus norvegicus is
Norway rat
T or F rats and mice are not social but can be very intelligent
false they are social and active intelligent
why do most labs like to keep mice and rats around for research instead of other species?
they are adaptive, small reproduce rapidly extensive genetic characterization over 1000 inbred and outbred strains thousands of genetic mutants
you have a new client bring there mouse into your clinic due to it not acting right. what are somethings you need to tell them when they bring it in?
bring animal in its home cage
need to make an evening appointment
do not clean their cage before coming
why is it better to feed rodents a pelleted diet vrs a mixed diet?
because they are selective eaters and may only eat one ingredient
what is the best way to perform a physical exam on rodent?
observe in cage it’s: posture, grooming activity, respiration and if it is acting depressed.
if it is dyspneic need to handle carefully and caution the owner.
what to most rodents do when you handle them?
they urinate and defecate, so be prepared to collect samples
in small rodents what diagnostics do you usually do with the blood you collect?
PCV and smear - because you can only collect a small amount of blood
in large rodents what diagnostics do you usually do with the blood you collect?
CBC and chem - because you can usually get a higher quantity of blood in large rodents compared to small rodents.
where do you collect blood from a rodent?
lateral tail vein
lateral saphenous vein
you prick the vein and use a hematocrit tube(small or large) to collect it or a small green top tube (large)
what is the normal temperature for a rat? A mouse?
rat - 99.5-100.6
mouse - 98 - 101
what are some signs of illness in rodents?
weight loss Hunched posture Lethargy rough hair coat rapid or labored breathing closed or squinted eyes perineal staining or stain around the eyes