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Rodents - Small Furies 1 Flashcards

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1
Q

Rodents are of which order?

A

Rodentia

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2
Q

What are rodents charactised by?

A

Continuously growing incisor teeth

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3
Q

What is the smallest rodent?

A

Pygmy mouse

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4
Q

What is the largest rodent?

A

Capybara

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5
Q

How many sub-orders are there in the rodent order?

A

5 sub-orders

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6
Q

What are the two main sub-orders in ‘pet’ species?

A

Myomorpha (mouse like)
Hystricomorpha (porcupine like)

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7
Q

What are the additional sub-orders called?

A

Scuriomorpha (squirrel like)
Anomaluromorpha (springhares and scaly tailed squirrels)
Castorimorpha (beavers, gophers, kangaroo mice, pocket mice, kangaroo rats)

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8
Q

What is the dental formula of myomorpha?

A

I 1/1 , C 0/0 , P 0/0 , M 3/3
Total = 16

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9
Q

What is the dental formula of hystricomorpha?

A

I 1/1 , C 0/0 , P 1/1 , M 3/3
Total = 20

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10
Q

Why is it possible to reduce the crown length safely with a dental burr?

A

The incisor pulp cavity is small and beneath the gum line

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11
Q

What is the difference between the cheek teeth in hystricomorph and myomorph rodents?

A

Hystericomorph rodents have continuously erupting cheek teeth
Myomorph rodents cheek teeth don’t continue to erupt - they stop erupting.

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12
Q

What does the mouth anatomy of rodents allow them to do?

A

They can gnaw without wearing molars or swallowing debris and they can chew.

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13
Q

Describe rodents incisors.

A

Chisel shaped (soft dentine wears more quickly causing this shape)
Open rooted (aradacular)
Continually growing (elodont)
Hard enamel on one side (rostral)

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14
Q

What is the lower to upper incisor crown ratio in myomorphs?

A

3:1

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15
Q

What is the difference between molars in myomorph and hystricomorphs?

A

Myomorphs = anelodont (grow for short period then cease erupting)
Hystricomorphs = continue to erupt throughout life (dental disease more common)

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16
Q

Describe the gastrointestinal system of rodents.

A

Monogastric - simple stomach (hamsters have fore-stomach). glandular part of the stomach separated from fore stomach by a ridge.
Relatively large caecum
Elongated colon

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17
Q

Why do rodents exhibit caecotrophy (eat droppings)?

A

It enhances the uptake of essential vitamins and amino acids produced by bacterial fermentation in the hindgut

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18
Q

What prevents rodents from vomiting?

A

Limiting ridge between oesophagus and cardia of the stomach (J-shaped cardia)
Strong oesophageal sphincter

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19
Q

Do you need to starve rodents before surgery? Explain why/why not?

A

You do not need to starve rodents before surgery because they have a high metabolic rate and relatively fast gut transit time.

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20
Q

Are rodents mouth or nasal breathers?

A

They are obligate nasal breathers, mouth breathing is a sign of respiratory distress.

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21
Q

How many lobes do rodents have in their left and right lung?

A

Left lung = single lobe
Right lung = four lobes

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22
Q

Why are hamsters’ lungs different to other rodents?

A

Hamsters have one single lobe in their left lung but 5 lobes in their right lung (instead of 4).

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23
Q

What are the names of the lung lobes in rodents?

A

Left lung
Right cranial
Right middle
Right caudal
Right accessory

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24
Q

Are oxygen requirements high or low for rodents size?

A

High

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25
How do rodents optimise respiration?
They have short airways and increased respiratory rates More alveoli of thinner diameter (increased S.A) High chest wall compliance
26
How does high chest wall compliance in rodents optimise respiration?
Increases vital capacity therefore decreases residual lung capacity
27
Which way does the oxygen binding curve shift in smaller animals?
The right
28
How does the movement of the oxygen binding curve help meet the increased demand for oxygen by the tissues of small animals with a high metabolic rate?
Haemoglobin released oxygen readily at tissue level
29
What does a relatively high surface area to volume ratio result in in rodents?
They dissipate heat readily Have a high metabolic rate
30
What are the mechanisms for thermogenesis that rodents use?
Behavioural - huddling, nest building and tunnelling Shivering Peripheral vasoconstriction Non shivering - brown fat behind scapula and around neck - can persist for life
31
What are the mechanisms for heat loss that rodents use?
Sweat glands (minimal and on feet) Evaporation of saliva groomed over body Arteriovenous shunts in ears, tails and feet
32
What is the reproductive strategy of a myomorph rodent?
Litter size = large Gestation period = short Young = altricial (need lots of looking after)
33
What is the reproductive strategy of a hystricomorph rodent?
Litter size = small Gestation period = long Young = precocial (reflected in longer gestation period)
34
What is the difference between bicornuate and duplex female reproductive systems?
Bicornuate = single cervix and uterus Duplex = left and right cervix and left and right uterus
35
Bicornuate reproductive systems are seen in female ferrets, cats, dogs and which rodent species?
Guinea pig
36
Duplex reproductive systems are seen in female rabbits and which rodent species?
Rat, mouse, hamster, gerbil and chinchilla
37
Describe the testes in rodents.
In most rodents the testes are large (compared to body size) and descend into the scrotal sac following puberty.
38
In which rodent species are the testes found inguinally?
Chinchilla
39
What is the advantage of rodents having lots of accessory sex glands?
Increases reproductive success
40
Name the accessory sex glands found in rodents.
Seminal vesicles Prostate Coagulating gland Bulbourethral gland Preputial gland
41
Why is the penis of a dog similar to that of a rodent?
It has an os penis
42
What is the most reliable method for sexing all of the rodent species?
Ano-genital distance
43
Is the ano-genital distance longer in males or females?
Longer in male than female rodents
44
What other methods can you use to sex a rodent?
Presence/absence of nipples in some species Presence/absence of testes and penis in some species
45
Rodents have an open inguinal canal, what does this allow them to do?
Retract testicles back into the abdomen (making sexing rodents difficult)
46
Describe the nipples of mice.
Only female mice have nipples
47
Describe the testes of adult mice.
Large testicles relative to body size
48
Describe the nipples of rats.
Only female rats have nipples
49
Describe the testes of mature rats.
Large and prominent (beware of neutered males)
50
Describe the nipples of gerbils.
Both sexes have nipples although much more obvious in the female
51
Describe the testes of gerbils.
Large testes with a pigmented scrotum
52
Describe the ventral scent gland in gerbils.
It is more obvious in males and is used for scenting.
53
Describe the nipples of hamsters.
Both sexes have nipples although more obvious in females
54
Describe the testes of mature hamsters.
Large relative to body size
55
What does the rear end of a hamster allow you to identify?
You can often tell the sex of hamsters by the shape of their back end. Male hamsters back end is larger whereas females are smaller.
56
Describe the nipples of guinea pigs.
Both species have obvious inguinal nipples
57
Describe the testes of boar guinea pigs.
Large obvious testicles (some may be neutered)
58
What is a method for sexing guinea pigs?
Females are a Y-shape Males are i - shape
59
Explain why often difficult to sex a chinchilla.
It is easy to mistake the clitoris for a penis so the external genitalia look familiar. There is no true scrotum in the male and the testes are often inguinal.
60
How can you determine the stage of oestrus cycle in rats and mice?
Use the cytology of vaginal secretions
61
What are the distinct periods of the rodent oestrus cycle?
Proestrus Oestrus Metoestrus Dioestrus
62
How do you identify the distinct periods of the reproductive cycles?
Look at leukocytes and epithelial cells of vaginal secretions
63
Describe the leukocytes and epithelial cells in the different stages of reproductive cycles.
Proestrus = mostly round nucleated cells, few leukocytes Oestrus = some nucleated cells, few leukocytes Metoestrus = non nucleated epithelial cells, lots of leukocytes Dioestrus = non nucleated epithelial cells, some leukocytes
64
What is a copulatory plug?
Congealed sperm, mucus and accessory ejaculatory fluids which harden within the cervix
65
How long does a copulatory plug remain in place for?
8-12 hours and then falls out
66
What is the purpose of a copulatory plug?
It is thought to seal the vagina and make it more likely for mating to be successful.
67
Why are rats incisors usually yellow?
Due to iron pigment deposited in enamel
68
Describe the harderian gland in rats.
It is prominent Red brown gland filling a large part of orbit and lies behind the globe
69
What happens when rats are stressed or unwell relating to the harderian gland?
Increases secretion of porphyrin - looks like the rat is 'crying blood'
70
Describe the mammary tissue in rats.
Extensive from axilla to groin in females 6 pairs of mammary glands Prone to tumour formation
71
What kind of tumours may develop in rats mammary tissue?
Majority are fibrodenomas and some are adenocarcinomas. The tumours are often benign but fast growing and prone to ulceration and secondary infection
72
Describe hamsters cheek pouches.
Bilateral Extend caudally as far as the shoulder blades Often the site of impaction Lined with oral mucosa Immunologically privileged site Primary function is storage & transport of food Can inflate - keep them afloat in water
73
Describe the stomach of hamsters.
It is compartmentalised into a forestomach and glandular stomach
74
What makes hamsters sensitive to antibiotics?
Their fore stomach due to disruption of normal gut flora
75
Describe the female reproductive anatomy of a hamster.
They have separate vaginal and urethral openings Bilateral vaginal pouches internally - makes vaginal cytology hard to interpret Vaginal plug deep and difficult to see
76
In hamsters, what are often mistaken for tumours?
Flank glands - androgen responsive More obvious in males than females
77
Why is it tricky to blood sample a hamster and what blood vessels should you use?
They have no tail vein Use jugular, cephalic, cranial vena cava
78
At what temperatures do hamsters hibernate at?
Under 10 degrees Celsius
79
When are hamsters most active?
During hours of darkness - nocturnal
80
What is the water consumption of a hamster?
Up to 20ml a day in some large adults
81
What is unique about gerbil pairs and families?
Form monogamous pairs Males take a big role in looking after young.
82
Describe sebaceous glands in gerbils.
Both sexes have large ventral midline glands Larger in males Often mistaken for tumour Is a site for tumour formation
83
Why do gerbils drink very little water?
4ml/100g/day They are a desert species and have excellent urine concentrating abilities
84
What do guinea pigs have an absolute requirement for?
Vitamin C
85
How much vitamin C is required in a healthy adult guinea pig?
20-25mg/kg/day
86
How much vitamin C is required in a pregnant female guinea pig?
30-40mg/kg/day
87
What gland do male guinea pigs have prominently?
Caudal sebaceous
88
The pubic symphysis of a guinea pig dilates to allow for parturition. What might the significance of this be in terms of breeding?
Ideally breed for the first time before the age of 8 months.
89
Where should you take a blood sample from on a guinea pig?
Cranial vena cava, jugular, femoral or lateral saphenous vein
90
What property means guinea pigs are often used in laboratory science?
Thymus is cervical
91
What is the gestation period of a guinea pig?
59-72 days
92
Are guinea pig young altricial or precocial?
Precocial
93
Can chinchillas adapt to diurnal lifestyles?
They are naturally nocturnal however can adapt to diurnal lifestyle. They need 12hr:12hr light dark periods.
94
Describe the fur of chinchillas.
Very dense fur - 50-60 hairs from each follicle Tolerant of cold (but not wet) and sensitive to heat Dust baths help maintain coat condition
95
Where do you take a blood sample from on a chinchilla?
Cranial vena cava and lateral saphenous
96
What does a bald patch on a chinchilla usually indicate?
A fur slip - in response to allow them to escape when threatened. Sign of poor welfare!
97
Are the young of chinchillas altricial or precocial?
Precocial
98
What is the gestation period of a chinchilla?
111 days

NSF (8 decks)

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