Small Mammals: Ferret, Chinchilla, and Hedgehog Flashcards Preview

Special species scs RUSVM > Small Mammals: Ferret, Chinchilla, and Hedgehog > Flashcards

Flashcards in Small Mammals: Ferret, Chinchilla, and Hedgehog Deck (50)
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1
Q

What very common ferret disease is related to spay-neuter status?

A

Adrenal disease (LH/FSH receptors on adrenal glands)

2
Q

How long is a chinchilla’s gestation? How long is hedgehog gestation?

A

Chinchilla: 112 days

Hedgehog: 30-35 days

3
Q

What are the standard ferret vaccinations?

A

Distemper

Rabies

4
Q

Are hedgehogs better kept alone, in pairs, or in groups? What about chincillas?

A

Hedgehogs: alone (solitary animals)

Chinchillas: social, best in groups

5
Q

How is Helicobacter treated in ferrets?

A

Triple therapy: Amoxicillin + Metronidazole +Stomach med (Bismuth, Famotidine, or Sucralfate)

(Alternative: Clarithromycin)

6
Q

Why should a grain-free diet be avoided for ferrets?

A

Causes cystine stone formation

7
Q

What does a ferret do when you scruff it?

A

Yawn (good time to look in their mouths)

8
Q

Which teeth in chinchillas are open-rooted?

A

All of them

9
Q

T/F: Amputations in chinchillas following long bone fractures, often tibial, are common.

A

True

Have long thin bones, do poorly w/bandages (‘Bandage Disease’), non-unions are common

10
Q

How can you supplement an insect diet for a hedgehog so it is not deficient in nutrients?

A

Low fat dry cat food

Commercial diets also exist

Add chopped veggies

Can give mealworms as treats

11
Q

What sex is this chinchilla?

A

Male

12
Q

What common affliction is affecting this hedgehog’s head?

A

Mites/Acariasis

Note: Check the rubber seal around a facemask after anesthesia to look for mites

13
Q

T/F: Ferrets are very sensitive to sedative effects of parenteral opioids.

A

True

(NOTE BENE in slides)

14
Q

What are the 3 most common ferret disease conditions?

A

Gastrointestinal tract disease

Endocrine disease

Neoplasia

15
Q

Why is it important to give the correct type of vaccine to a ferret?

A

The incorrect distemper vaccine can cause CDV (canine distempter) in ferrets

16
Q

What disease causes green slime diarrhea in ferrets?

A

Viral Diarrhea- Epizootic Catarrhal Enteritis (Coronavirus)

17
Q

What organ do ferrets and pygmy hedgehogs lack?

A

Cecum

18
Q

What GI foreign bodies to young ferrets commonly get? Older ferrets?

A

Young: Rubber pieces

Older: Trichobezoars

19
Q

Why is insulinoma in ferrets controllable but not curable?

A

Usually small tumors all over pancreas and can’t remove the whole pancreas

Note: Often concurrent w/adrenal disease

20
Q

T/F: Ferrets do not have blood groups.

A

True

21
Q

Which hormone classes are involved in ferret hyperadrenalcorticism and how do these hormones end up in circulation?

A

Progesterones, Androgens, Estrogens (Progesterone, Estrogen, Androstenedione, DHEAS)

Hyperplasia of the adrenal glands causes adenoma formation which then leads to adenocarcinoma formation

22
Q

Where would you listen for a ferret’s heart?

A

Midline at the sternum (they have a caudally situated heart)

23
Q

At what pattern of activity correctly describes ferrets? (choose 1one

Duirnal

Vespertine

Crepuscular

Nocturnal

A

Crepuscular

24
Q

T/F: A hedgehog is a spiny insectivorous rodent.

A

False, MAMMAL (not rodent, like the porcupine)

25
Q

What is the GnRH agonist that stimulates LH/FSH causing negative feeback which stops steroidgenesis is used to treat adrenal disease?

A

Leuprolide acetate (Lupron)

Also there’s the Deslorelin implant, which is sometimes given preventatively

26
Q

How long should you monitor a ferret after a vaccination? What can you do to prevent vaccine reactions?

A

30 minutes

Pre-treat with benedryl and only give 1 vaccine at a time

27
Q

T/F: A hedgehog does not need to be fed in the winter because they will hibernate. Make sure your cage is suitably warm and confortable for their hibernation.

A

False, hedgehogs do not hibernate in captivity.

They do like a warm environment though.

28
Q

What is the approximate weight of a pygmy hedgehog? What is their lifespan?

A

400-500 grams

4-6 yrs

29
Q

Mustela putorius furo is the domesticated form of which animal?

A

European polecat

30
Q

What is the daily maintenance fluid rate for ferrets?

A

75ml/kg (/day)

31
Q

T/F: Chinchillas have pigmented incisors and should not be given grain to eat.

A

True

32
Q

What do nauseous ferrets do?

A

Paw at their mouth causing ulcers/erosions/fistulas

33
Q

In ferrets, what is the preferred vein for venipuncture because it is very large?

A

Cranial vena cava

34
Q

What is the color-linked congenital deafness seen in blaze and panda ferrets?

A

Waardenburg Syndrome

35
Q

T/F: Chinchillas do poorly in the cold and should have lots of warm bedding.

A

False, they are cold adapted and heat intolerant

36
Q

Which of these is the African Pygmy Hedgehog?

  • Atelerix p**ygmus*
  • Atelerix albiventris*
  • Atelerix algirus*
  • Atelerix albusdumblus*
A

Atelerix albiventris

(Albiventris= white ventrum, aka four-toed hedgehog)

37
Q

What are the 2 common benign and 2 malignant histopathology findings you may find after submitting a splenic aspirate from a ferret?

A

Benign: Hematoma, Extramedullary hematopoeisis

Malignant: Lymphosarcoma, Hemangiosarcoma

38
Q

What is the most common clinical sign in ferret hyperadrenalcorticism? What are some other clinical signs?

A

Most common: Hairloss

Pruritus

Swollen vulva (R/O intact female)

Prostatomegaly (Causes urinary obstruction)

Stronger smell

Sexual behavior

(Diagnosis is based on clinical signs)

39
Q

Why do oral meds have to be tasty for ferrets?

A

Because if they don’t like it they will scratch their mouth raw trying to get it out

40
Q

T/F: Ferrets are far-sighted.

A

False, NEAR-sighted

41
Q

Why do ferrets have few to no sensitivities to antibiotics?

A

They have a simple gut flora

42
Q

What is the unique hedgehog behavior occurs in response to new objects, which involves spreading frothy saliva on its quills?

A

Anting / Self-Annointing

43
Q

What animal that is very similar to chinchillas in diet and anatomy, including teeth, GIT, and sexing, look like gerbils on steroids?

A

Degu

44
Q

What is the medical therapy for insulinoma?

A

Prednisolone (gluconeogenic effects) - first line tx (prefer brand Pediapred)

Diazoxide (insulin blocker)

45
Q

What bacteria that most ferrets have in their GIT can cause disease, resulting in ulcers, bruxism, chronic weight loss and melena, when ferrets get stressed?

A

Helicobacter mustelae

46
Q

Do older or younger ferrets usually get insulinoma?

A

Older

47
Q

Which antibiotics are counterindicated in chinchillas? What are the alternatives?

A

C/O’d: Penicillins, Cefalosporins

Can give: Quinolones (e.g. Enrofloxacin) , Chloramphenicol, Metronidazole, Sulfa drugs

48
Q

What progressive neuropathy and degenerative spinal cord disease affects hedgehogs, for which there is no treatment?

A

Wobbly Hedgehog Syndrome

(can try using pred to treat, but supportive care including diet is indicated)

49
Q

Is ferret urine low or high pH?

A

Low (5.5-6.5)

50
Q

What is the most common medical condition in chinchillas?

A

Dental disease

Note: Cheek teeth affected most