1
Q
list of diagnostic techniques
A
- blood and haematology
- blood serum biochemistry
- urine samples/urinalysis
- parasite detection
- culture samples/biological samples on agar plates
- cytology: evaluating changes in blood cell appearance
- ELISA
- monitoring disinfection/sanitation effectiveness (RODAC plate VS bioluminescence detection)
- necropsy + sending out of samples
- radiography/radiation
2
Q
blood and haematology (plasma/serum)
A
- whole blood (EDTA tube - CBC)
- plasma: liquid portion of unclotted blood (Lit. Hep tube) > mix blood with anticoagulant gently to avoid damaging cells. centrifuge and collect the plasma
- serum: liquid portion of clotted blood (normal, plain tube) > antibodies/blood biochemistry. leave blood to clot with no anticoagulants. centrifuge.
- serum can identify lipedema
- serum may be jaundiced (icteric in appearance) if liver issues are present
3
Q
handling blood for haematology
A
- after blood has been drawn, remove the needle before transferring the blood into the tube to minimise the lysis of blood cells
- tilt blood tubes when transferring the blood to drip the blood into the tube slowly
- use the correct size of needles (27G for rats and mice & 23G for dogs and cats)
- use proper syringes (3mL)
- proper blood tubes (EDTA? Lit. Hep? Plain? each tube has a different purpose based on what you want to collect & the test to be done)
- volume of blood (total volume is 6% of animal’s body weight. only 1% can be taken for a one time sampling. if repeated samplings must be done, limit it to 0.1%)
4
Q
what is haemolysis? what causes it?
A
- rupture of RBC
- due to improper collection, wrong needle size, incorrect mixing or wrong tubes used
5
Q
complete blood count (CBC)
A
- whole blood in EDTA tube
- RBC count: platelets, haematocrit, haemoglobin, packed cell volume (PCV) & RBC indices
- WBC count: neutrophils, lymphocytes, eosinophils, monocytes & basophils
6
Q
diagnostic machines require __ maintenance before samples can be run
A
- DAILY!
- boot up the machine every morning before samples are to be run
7
Q
blood serum biochemistry
A
- serum (Plain tube)
- studies the changes of biochemistry in the blood
- enzymes (e.g. alanine transferase)
- metabolic waste (BUN/blood urea nitrogen - indicator of kidneys)
- electrolytes (sodium & free ions)
- blood serum biochemistry is broad. Once an issue has been identified, more specific tests can be used to determine/confirm the severity
8
Q
urine samples/urinalysis
A
- collected by manual expression cystocentesis (under ultrasound/catheterisation)
- expression is recommended as free catch can be difficult
- metabolic cages can be used for rodents (type of device that catches urine/faeces)
- fresh samples are required!
- check physical properties of the urine!
- dipstick to compare colour coding
- refractometer measurement (urine specific gravity/USG)
- prepare urine for centrifugation
- after centrifugation, prepare urine for microscopic evaluation (check for crystals)
- urinary sediment (sign of urinary tract disorder)
9
Q
what does USG indicate?
A
- kidney function
- hydration
10
Q
physical properties of urine
A
- colour
- clarity
- odour
- volume
- presence of foam
- USG
11
Q
what does foam in urine indicate?
A
- protein in the urine (proteinuria)
12
Q
parasite detection
A
- ectoparasites & endoparasites
- mites, pinworms, protozoa, lice, fleas, roundworms, tape worms, etc.
- skin scrape
- cellophane tape test
- gross microscopy/wet mount/direct smear
- faecal flotation test/faecal sedimentation
13
Q
faecal flotation test STEPS
A
- place a teaspoon of faecal sample into the WHITE outer Fecalyzer container
- add Fecasol Solution to the halfway mark on the container
- stir the faecal sample and mix well with the Fecasol Solution using the GREEN INNER SHEATH
- after mixing, top up the Fecasol Solution to the top, forming a meniscus
- place a cover slip at the opening of the Fecalyzer container without touching the Fecasol Solution with your hands
- after 20 MINUTES, lift the cover slip DIRECTLY UPWARDS and place it (wet side down) on a microscope slide
- examine the slide at 100X magnification (check for presence of helminth eggs) and 400X magnification (for identification of helminth eggs)
14
Q
how does faecal flotation work?
A
- it determines if eggs and larvae of metazoan parasites were present in the faecal sample
- helminth eggs will float to the surface of the Fecasol due to lower density!!
15
Q
culture samples/biological samples on agar plates
A
- growth of swabs/plate streaking
- gram positive/negative
- detects microorganisms
- antibiotics resistance testing
- sensitivity testing
- fungus/virus medium
16
Q
cytology
A
- vaginal cytology
- aspiration of lumps/pustules
- skin scraping
17
Q
ELISA (enzyme linked immunosorbent assay): what does it do? what are ANTIGENS and ANTIBODIES?
A
- detects and counts certain antibodies, antigens, proteins & hormones in a sample (may be blood/plasma/urine/saliva/CSF)
- antibodies = substances made by the body that binds to unwanted substances in order to remove them
- antigens = markers that antibodies recognise (usually sugars/proteins found on cell surfaces of viruses)
18
Q
ELISA data
A
- qualitative: Positive or Negative. results are compared to a blank well containing no ag or an unrelated ag as a control.
- false positive: shows substance is present when it is absent in reality
- false negative: shows substance is absent when it is present in reality
- quantitative: results are interpreted in comparison to a standard curve (dilution of a known, purified ag) to PRECISELY calculate the concentration of ag in a sample
- semi-quantitative: compares relative levels of ag in assay samples. signals vary according to the concentration
19
Q
4 main steps of ELISA
A
- coating with ag/ab
- blocking (usually with BSA)
- detection (by adding a substrate like HRP (blue) or AP (yellow) that produces a colour)
- final read
- wash between each step
20
Q
4 types of ELISA
A
- direct (ag-coated plate to screen for ab)
- indirect (ag-coated plate to screen for ab/ag)
- sandwich (ab-coated plate to screen for ag)
- competitive/inhibition (screening for ab. the other types can also be adapted into competitive formats)
21
Q
potential interfering factors of ELISA
A
- PLATE ASSAY (shape/quality of the wells, material of the plates, uneven coating)
- BUFFER (pH, any contamination)
- ANTIBODY USED for detection (incubation time, temperature, specificity, titre (concentration/strength), affinity)
- BLOCKING BUFFER (cross-reactivity, concentration, contamination)
- TARGET AG (conformation, stability, epitopes (AAs))
- ENZYME CONJUGATE (type, concentration, function, cross-reactivity)
- WASHES (contamination, frequency, volume, duration, composition)
- SUBSTRATE (quality/manufacturer)
- DETECTION (instrument-dependent factors
- READER/HUMAN ERROR
22
Q
advantages of ELISA
A
- high sensitive and specificity
- high throughput (can process a lot of samples at once, commercially available in 96 & 394 well plates)
- easy to perform (easy to follow, minimal hands-on time)
- quantitative (can determine the conc of ag in a sample)
- able to test a variety of samples (serum, plasma, cellular, tissue extract, urine, saliva, etc.)
23
Q
disadvantages of ELISA
A
- temporary readouts (detection is based on enzyme/substrate reactions so readouts must be obtained within a short time span)
- limited information about the ag (results obtained are limited to the amount or presence of ag in the sample)
24
Q
epitopes
A
- group of AA/other chemical group exposed on the surface of a molecule
- can generate antigenic responses
- binds antibodies
25
direct ELISA Steps
- COATING: buffered solution of ag is added to each well of a microtitre plate
- incubate for 1h at 37°C or overnight at 4°C to allow the ag to adhere to the plastic through charge interactions (immobilises them to a solid surface)
- BLOCKING: a solution containing non-reactive proteins (Bovine Serum Albumin) is added to each well to cover any uncoated plastic surface in the well
- wash with a suitable buffer solution
- primary ab with an a conjugated (attached) enzyme (amplifier) is added
- incubate for 2h to allow the primary ab to bind to the ag that has coated the well
- wash with a suitable buffer solution
- DETECTION: add a SUBSTRATE for the enzyme. usually HRP (Horse Radish Peroxidase).
- the substrate chosen should change colours upon reaction with enzymes
- if ab is binded to the ag, the enzyme should react with the substrate and change colours
- FINAL READ: high concentration of ag = stronger colour change (measure with spectrometer)
26
indirect ELISA Steps
- similar to direct but with an additional step of adding a secondary enzyme-linked ab that is complementary to the primary detection ab
- COATING: buffered solution of ag is added to each well of a microtitre plate
- incubate for 1h at 37°C or overnight at 4°C to allow the ag to adhere to the plastic through charge interactions (immobilises them to a solid surface)
- BLOCKING: a solution containing non-reactive proteins (Bovine Serum Albumin) is added to each well to cover any uncoated plastic surface in the well
- wash with a suitable buffer solution
- primary ab is added (WITH NO CONJUGATED ENZYME)
- incubate for 2h to allow the primary ab to bind to the ag that has coated the well
- wash with a suitable buffer solution to remove any excess
- EXTRA STEP DIFFERENT FROM DIRECT ELISA: ENZYME-CONJUGATED SECONDARY AB IS ADDED & incubated for it to bind to the primary ab
- wash with a suitable buffer solution to remove excess
- DETECTION: add a SUBSTRATE for the enzyme. usually HRP (Horse Radish Peroxidase).
- the substrate chosen should change colours upon reaction with enzymes
- if ab is binded to the ag, the enzyme should react with the substrate and change colours
- FINAL READ: high concentration of ag = stronger colour change (measure with spectrometer)
27
direct VS indirect ELISA
- indirect has higher sensitivity
- indirect is more flexible & less expensive as there are more possible primary ab that can be used
- indirect has a higher risk of cross-reactivity between secondary detection antibodies (direct does not use any secondary antibodies)
- direct is faster (less steps & less incubation time)
28
sandwich ELISA
- requires 2 antibodies specific for different epitopes of ag (matched antibody pairs must be highly specific)
- 1 of the antibodies is capture ab (facilitates immobilisation of the ag)
- the other antibody is secondary ab (conjugated to an enzyme, facilitates the detection of the antigen)
- suitable for complex samples
- high flexibility: can use both indirect and direct methods
- demanding design: it is difficult to find 2 abs that work well together against the same target while recognising different epitopes
29
sandwich ELISA Steps
- capture ab is used to coat the well of the plate
- wash off excess capture ab with appropriate rinsing buffer
- Ag from the sample is added to the plate
- wash off excess Ag with appropriate rinsing buffer
- Enzyme-conjugated secondary ab is added and washed with suitable buffer to remove excess
- Incubate
- Substrate for the enzyme (usually HRP: Horse Radish Peroxidase) is added
- the substrate changes colour upon reaction with the enzyme
- observe for colour change
30
competitive/inhibition ELISA
- measures ag concentration by detecting signal interference
- low specificity (cannot use for diluted samples)
- sample ag competes with reference ag to bind to a specific amount of labelled ab (or vice versa)
- NEGATIVE = colour change (enzyme-conjugated ab binds to reference ag and not sample ag)
- POSITIVE = no colour change (presence of sample ag in test serum)
31
competitive/inhibition ELISA Steps
- Sample ag is incubated with labelled ag
- Reference ag is pre-coated onto the wells
- wash off excess with appropriate rinsing buffer
- Sample ag & labelled ab complex is added to the coated wells
- Incubate
- wash off excess with appropriate rinsing buffer
- substrate for enzymes (usually HRP: Horse Radish Peroxidase) is added.
- substrate changes colour upon reaction with enzymes
32
RODAC plate (monitoring disinfection/sanitation effectiveness)
- Replicate Organism Direct Agar Contact plates
- Touch the plates to the surfaces to be inspected
- areas to be inspected should be clean, dry & disinfected before touching the RODAC plate
- For irregular surfaces: sterile swab (with sterile water) is used to swab before rubbing on the RODAC plate
- Send for incubation and observe it after 24-48 hours.
- None = excellent!
- Slight = acceptable!
- Moderate = poor
- Heavy = not acceptable.
- used to measure cleanliness of the lab animal facility
33
Bioluminescence detector (monitoring disinfection/sanitation effectiveness)
- uses ATP detection as a rapid assessment of sanitation
- uses bioluminescence to detect ATP from any organic matter (microorganisms) that may be on the surface
- If there are microorganisms = lights up = sanitation was not effective
- Makes use of Firefly enzymes (luciferin-luciferase) which gives off light in the presence of ATP
- More intense glow = more microorganisms
- used to measure cleanliness of the lab animal facility
34
Necropsy & sending of samples
- When an animal dies, the cause of death is determined
- find out of the animal was normal during the experiment/colony health surveillance by checking case history
- Store in fridge not freezer
- Consistent, thorough, systemic approach (from external surfaces to the different body parts)
- Lesions, abnormalities etc. before making incisions and collecting specimens of organs
- Specimens are collected, placed in formalin and sent for histopathology
35
Imaging equipment (radiography & radiation)
- X-ray, fluoroscopy
- computed tomography CT
- ultrasound
- magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
- positron emission therapy (PET)
36
Lab rodents that harbour diseases impact...
- research results
- animal health
37
We should purchase _____ animals from commercial vendors with ______________.
- disease-free animals
- strict health surveillance
- strict quarantine
- testing
38
conduct ______ within the lab animal facility periodically.
- colony surveillance
39
Diseases can be detected through ____ or through ____________. Some animals may not show clinical signs.
- PCR
- health surveillance serology tests
40
Mouse hepatitis virus (MHV): Causative agent & transmission
- Causative agent: Enveloped RNA coronavirus (digestive tract, suppresses immune system)
- Transmission: faecal-oral, direct contact, aerosol, fomite.
41
Mouse hepatitis virus (MHV): Clinical signs
- Diarrhoea
- weight loss
- low fertility
- focal hepatic necrosis
- Potential death in infant mice
42
Mouse hepatitis virus (MHV): Prevention
- cease breeding for 2-4 months
- rederivation of animals via caesarean/embryo transfer
- regular health surveillance testing of sentinel animals
43
Rederivation of animals via caesarean/embryo transfer
removing embryos from sick mothers and transferring them to a healthy one to be carried to full term
44
Mouse hepatitis virus (MHV): Diagnosis and treatment
- No treatment
- diagnosed via serology and clinical signs
45
Sialodacryoadenitis virus (SDAV): Causative agents & transmission
- Causative agent: Enveloped RNA coronavirus
- Transmission: direct contact, aerosol
- Animals that are infected are unfit to be used for experiments
- Contagious
- related to MHV
46
Sialodacryoadenitis virus (SDAV): Clinical signs
- Eye and/or nose discharge
- Porphyrin staining around the eyes
- eye lesions
- corneal clouding ulcers
- enlarged eyeballs
- swelling in the neck and salivary glands
- swelling leads to reduced food intake which affects growth.
47
Sialodacryoadenitis virus (SDAV): Prevention
- depopulation
- cleaning and rederivation of animals via caesarean/embryo transfer
- regular health surveillance testing of sentinel animals
48
Sialodacryoadenitis virus (SDAV): Diagnosis and treatment
- Serology (ELISA, IFA)
- only detectable after 7-10 days of infection
- No treatment
49
Enveloped viruses
- remains infectious in the environment for about a week.
- susceptible to detergents & disinfectants, drying & ethanol
50
Sialodacryoadenitis Virus (SDAV) "burn out"
- if infected animals are to be kept, euthanasia of all non-essential animals and a strict quarantine is recommended until they can be rederived.
- "burn out" in immunocompromised rats where the virus is spread deliberately until all rats are infected
- the virus is only cleared after all rats are infected to prevent multiple rounds of infections
51
Mouse parvovirus: Causative agent and transmission
- Causative agent: Non-enveloped DNA parvovirus (small, single-stranded DNA around 5kb)
- Transmission: Faecal-oral, urine, oronasal secretions, fomites
52
Mouse parvovirus: Clinical signs
- no clinical signs
- no histologic lesions
53
Mouse parvovirus: Prevention
- total depopulation
- thorough cleaning of all aspects of the animal room with aggressive chemical decontamination
- restock of the animals
- caesarean rederivation and embryo transfer when the environment has been cleared
54
Mouse parvovirus: Diagnosis and treatment
- Serology (ELISA/IFA)
- No treatment
55
Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus: Transmission
- zoonotic
- affects immune system of mice, inhibits tumour induction in research rodents
- Transmission: direct contact with urine, saliva or milk
56
Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus: Clinical signs
- Runted
- weight loss
- severe retardation of growth and hair development
- post-mortem hepatomegaly (enlargement of the liver)
- splenomegaly (enlargement of the spleen)
- lymphadenopathy (swelling of the lymph nodes)
- swollen and pitted kidneys due to glomerulonephritis (inflammation and damage to the filtering part of the kidneys)
- destruction of brain regions
57
Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus: Prevention
- screening of tissue culture, tumours and any potential animal carriers
58
Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus: Diagnosis and treatment
- PCR testing
- no treatment
59
Sendai virus: Transmission
- Impacts research
- affects the very young or old
- suppresses immune system, causing secondary bacterial infection in animals
- Transmission: aerosol
60
Sendai virus: Clinical signs
- Rough hair coat
- hunched posture
- dyspnea
- chattering respiratory sounds
- bronchitis (infection of bronchial tubes)
- bronchiolitis (infection of respiratory tract)
- Pneumonia (inflammation and fluid in lungs)
61
Sendai virus: Prevention
- rederivation of animals through caesarean/embryo transfer
- use of micro-isolation housing
62
Sendai virus: Diagnosis and treatment
- Serology, clinical signs
- No treatment
63
Mousepox: Causative agent and transmission
- Causative agent: Ectromelia virus
- Transmission: Faecal-oral, direct contact, aerosol
64
Mousepox: Clinical signs
- skin lesions
- purulent rash
65
Mousepox: Prevention
- regular health surveillance testing of sentinel animals
- vaccination of mice
66
Mousepox: Diagnosis and treatment
- Serology (ELISA)
- electron microscopic examination of tissues in suspected cases (distinctive eosinophilic cytoplasm and poxvirus particles)
- No treatments
- affected colonies must be destroyed and rooms and equipment disinfected.
67
Helicobacter spp. Causative agent and transmission (bacterial)
- Causative agent: Helicobacter hepaticus, H. bilis, H. muridarum, H. rodentium, etc.
- Transmission: Faecal-oral
68
Helicobacter spp. Clinical signs (bacterial)
- hepatitis
- hepatic necrosis
- hepatomegaly (enlargement of the liver)
- typhlitis (inflammation of the cecum)
- colitis (inflammation of the inner lining of the colon)
- rectal prolapse (rectum slipping down to the anus)
- diarrhoea
- wasting
69
Helicobacter spp. Diagnosis and treatment (bacterial)
- No treatment
- affected colony must be destroyed
- PCR
- histology
- bacterial culture
70
Salmonellosis: Causative agent and transmission (bacterial)
- Zoonotic
- Causative agent: Salmonella typhimurium, salmonella enteritidis
- Transmission: ingestion of contaminated feed
71
Salmonellosis: Clinical signs (bacterial)
- Acute/chronic diarrhoea
- liver necrosis
72
Salmonellosis: Prevention (bacterial)
- stock hygiene
- stock selection
- pest management
73
Salmonellosis: Diagnosis and treatment (bacterial)
- Diagnosed with bacterial culture
- Treated with antibiotics
74
Respiratory mycoplasmosis: Causative agent and transmission (bacterial)
- Causative agent: Mycoplasmosis pulmonis
(primary agent), may have a secondary illness concurrently
- Transmission: inhalation of aerosols
75
Respiratory mycoplasmosis: Clinical signs (bacterial)
- Pneumonia
- nasal discharge
- sneezing
- otitis media (infection of the middle ear)
- head tilt
- circling
- incoordination
76
Respiratory mycoplasmosis: Prevention (bacterial)
- Stock selection
- rederivation of animals via caesarean/embryo transfer
- disinfection of contaminated material
77
Respiratory mycoplasmosis: Diagnosis and treatment (bacterial)
- ELISA, PCR
- Anitbiotics (tetracyclines/doxycycline/enrofloxacin)
- NSAID (meloxicam)
78
Pasteurellosis: Causative agent and transmission (bacterial)
- can also occur in rabbits
- Causative agents: Pasteurella pneumotropica, Pasteurella multocida
- Transmission: Faecal-oral, respiratory aerosol
79
Pasteurellosis: Clinical signs (bacterial)
- pneumonia
- URTI (upper respiratory tract infection)
- abscesses in skin
- lymph nodes
- uterus and urinary system
- pus in nasal cavity
- ocular discharge
80
Pasteurellosis: Prevention (bacterial)
- isolate affected animals
- buy pasteurella-free rodents from vendors
81
Pasteurellosis: Diagnosis and treatment (bacterial)
- PCR
- bacterial culture
- serological testing
- clinical findings
- Treated with Antibiotics (oxytetracycline) or antihistamine (chloramphenicol)
82
Streptobaccillosis: Causative agent and transmission (bacterial)
- Zoonotic.
- causes Haverhill form of rat bite fever in humans (38-41C fever, chills, joint pains, diffuse red rashes on hands and feet)
- Causative agents: Streptobacillus moniliformis
- healthy rodents may be asymptomatic carriers
- Transmission: Faecal-oral route, contact with urine or bodily secretions
83
Pasteurellosis: Clinical signs & prevention (bacterial)
- Clinical signs: Asymptomatic
- Prevention: rederivation of animals via caesarean/embryo transfer
84
Pasteurellosis: Diagnosis and treatment (bacterial)
- ELISA, PCR
- Antibiotics (tetracycline, cephalosporin, clindamycin, doxycycline)
85
Mouse pinworm (gastro-intestinal endo-parasites): Clinical signs
- rough hair coat
- decreased growth rate
- constipation
- rectal prolapse
86
Mouse pinworm (gastro-intestinal endo-parasites): Transmission
- Infective eggs from environment is ingested by mice
- eggs hatch in the colon
87
Mouse pinworm (gastro-intestinal endo-parasites): Prevention
- Rederivation of animals via caesarean/embryo transfer
- frequent room and cage sanitation
- purchase only from vendors with documented history of pinworm free mice
- environmental decontamination
88
Ecto-parasites in rats
- Lice and mites
- Flea infestations are uncommon
- Lice: Polyplax
- Mites: Liponyssis, laelaps, radfordia
89
Ecto-parasites in mice
- Fur mites: Myopia, myocoptes, radfordia
- Flea infestations are uncommon
90
Clinical signs of ecto-parasites
- Pruritus (itchiness)
- alopecia
- dermatitis from self-induced trauma
- lesions on back of the neck
91
Treatment and diagnosis of ecto-parasites
- treated with ivermectin and ascaricides
- diagnosed with microscopic examination and clinical signs
92
Prevention of ecto-parasites
- Pest control
- hygiene
- careful inspection on arrival
93
Neoplasia (non-infectious diseases)
- high incidence of spontaneous neoplasia occurs in certain strains of mice and rats
- Tumours: pulmonary tumours (mice), leukaemia (mice), mammary tumours (rats and mice)
- Treated with surgical removal.
- Recurrence is common and if left untreated, they will enlarge and eventually ulcerate and become infected
94
Causes of fight wounds (husbandry related diseases)
- Poor husbandry: lack of resources such as feed and water
- overcrowded cages
- introducing a new mouse into cages with already established hierarchies
95
Clinical signs of fight wounds (husbandry related diseases)
- missing patches of fur
- bites and scratches at the head
- perineum and lumbosacral skin
96
Prevention of fight wounds (husbandry related diseases)
- Ensure there is sufficient food and water supply at all times
- ensure rodents are weaned in a timely manner
- Avoid combining mice into new cages after weaning unless necessary
97
Treatment of fight wounds (husbandry related diseases)
- iodine (disinfectant) on the wound with a sterile cotton swab
- re-establish social harmony by removing the dominant animal
98
What is barbering? (husbandry related diseases)
- pulling out of hair
- different to fight wounds where there are wounds and bleeding
99
Clinical signs of barbering (husbandry related diseases)
- Missing patches of fur over the face and shoulders
- affected areas are non-pruritic (not itchy)
100
Prevention of barbering (husbandry related diseases)
- avoid mixing cages that already have an established hierarchy
- avoid overcrowding
101
Treatment of barbering (husbandry related diseases)
- Re-establish social harmony by removing the dominant animals
102
Ringtail in rats
- Ring of necrotic tissue forms around the circumference of the tail in rats
- Young rats are more susceptible
- due to low humidity in the microenvironment
103
Clinical signs of ringtail
- circular ring/oozing sore at the base of the tail
- swelling
- inflammation and/or necrosis of the portion of the tail distal to the ring
104
Prevention of ringtail
- Checking the humidity of the microenvironment
105
Treatment of ringtail
- Amputation of the tail
106
Clinical signs of malocclusion
- ill thriving at weaning
- abnormally shaped nose/face
107
Malocclusion
- hereditary
- may affect rodents, guinea pigs or rabbits
- Overgrowth of mandibular incisors (preventing normal weaning)
- incisors may grow into a curve and pierce the palate
- Animal will be unable to eat and starve to death
108
Prevention of malocclusion
- Good record keeping to avoid breeding from pairs that produce offspring with malocclusion
109
Treatment of malocclusion
- Trim teeth regularly
- under GA with blunt-tipped scissors
- powdered diet
110
Chromodacryorrhea
- excess porphyrin in Harderian gland
- most common in rats
- Porphyrin-filled tears overflowing from the eye
- dry around the eyelids
- dark red crust on eyes and nostrils
- may be mistaken for blood
- usually caused by environmental stress/irritants/pain/poor nutrition/water deprivation/infections/injuries affecting the eye
111
clinical signs of Chromodacryorrhea
- reddish/rust-coloured stains around eyes/nose
112
prevention of chromodacryorrhea
- ensure a good water supply
- optimal environmental conditions
113
treatment of chromodacryorrhea
- remove the source of stress/irritants
- identify the underlying infection
- pain-relief for injury
114
diagnosis of chromodacryorrhea
- using Wood's lamp to confirm porphyrin
- porphyrin fluoresces pink under the UV light source.
