1.37k likes | 1.38k Views
Chapter 11. Pocket Pet Health and Production Management. Mice and Rats. Curious and friendly pocket pets Usually very tame The younger the rodent, the easier to tame Can be trained to do tricks Used in research and nutritional studies. Veterinary Terminology. Murine mouse or rat Sire
E N D
Chapter 11 Pocket Pet Health and Production Management
Mice and Rats • Curious and friendly pocket pets • Usually very tame • The younger the rodent, the easier to tame • Can be trained to do tricks • Used in research and nutritional studies
Veterinary Terminology • Murine • mouse or rat • Sire • intact male mouse or rat • Dam • intact female mouse or rat • Pup • young male mouse or rat
Biology • Average life span for rats and mice is 1-3 years • Family: Rodentia • Have poor vision but well developed sense of smell • Many species are nocturnal
Biology • Common external body terms: • Claws: nails on feet • Snout: nose and mouth area • Tail: long part that extends off the back and is hairless and scaly • Whiskers: located on nose and used as sensory devices
Breeds • Come in a variety of colors and types, more so than breeds • Rats: white, brown, black, hooded • hooded: white in body color with black or brown coloring on the head and shoulders • Mice: white, black, tan, spotted
Breed Selection • Should be purchased young • Should be handled often for socialization • If properly socialized, will seldom bite
Nutrition • Mice and rats have basic nutritional requirements • Will eat almost any type of food • Enjoy human food such as: • seeds • nuts • bread • cereal • grains • raw vegetables
Nutrition • Can be fed ad lib – as much as they want, within reason • When fed exclusively, seed diets can lead to obesity and nutritional deficiencies • Fresh water should be provided daily
Behavior • Rats and mice are timid and must learn to trust people • Always looking to escape, very curious • Will chew through wood or plastic • Should be housed in well-lit areas • Rats show anger by whipping their tails • Rats are happy and content when clicking their teeth
Basic Training Methods • Mice and rats are intelligent and easily trained • Will do almost anything for food • Respond very willingly to noises • The more they are handled and trained consistently, the easier to manage
Equipment and Housing Needs • Cages – made of heavy wire or metal • Toys – to keep from boredom • Perches, tunnels, exercise wheels • At least 1 inch bedding: • sawdust • cedar shavings • shredded paper • pellets • cat litter
Restraint and Handling • Rats: • Never carry a rat by the tail! • Tails break easy or may have skin peel • Move toward rats slowly and with confidence • Rats will bite if scared
Restraint and Handling • Rats: • One hand around the back below the neck • Hold snuggly, but without squeezing • The thumb is used to hold the chin and prevent biting • The index fingers can help hold front limbs • Grasp hind legs with free hand and extend them
Restraint and Handling • Mice • Scoop mouse into fist • Grasp tail with one hand • Grasp loose skin, using thumb and pointer finger (scruff) • Can be lifted by the tail • Can be lifted by the tail with tongs
Grooming • Mice and rats do not require bathing or any additional grooming • Are fastidious groomers • Will keep coats shiny and clean if healthy • An untidy or dirty coat may be a sign of disease
Basic Health Care Maintenance • To keep teeth healthy, should have items in cage to chew on • Coats should be monitored for external parasites such as fleas and mites • May be treated with topical parasite meds labeled for rodents
Vaccinations • Rats and mice do not require vaccinations • No vaccines are currently labeled
Reproduction and Breeding • Mice reach puberty: 8-10 weeks • Rats reach puberty: around 3 months • Gestation length: 21 days • Average litter: 6-8 babies
Reproduction and Breeding • Sexing mice and rats is done through viewing anogenital area • Area located around the far stomach between rear legs and base of tail • Distance is measured from the anus to genital area • Distance in male is much greater than that of female
Common Diseases • Relatively healthy animals • Rarely get sick or acquire diseases • Signs of respiratory infection: • nasal discharge • sneezing • coughing • loss of appetite • weight loss • Prone to tumors
Common Parasites • Commonly develop external parasites: • fleas • fur mites • lice • Signs of external parasites include: • hair loss • itching • scratches on skin from claws
Common Parasites • Internal parasites: • tapeworms • protozoans
Hamsters • Very active and playful companions • Popular pets • Commonly used in lab research • Native to warm, humid desert climates • Species developed in Asia and Europe • Average life span: 18-24 months
Biology • Common hamster terms: • Cheek pouch: open areas located inside the cheeks used to store food • Ears: small flaps on either side of the head that are hairless • Incisors: long teeth located on upper and lower jaw • Whiskers: long hair located on the face next to nose
Breeds • Syrian hamster or Golden hamster • most popular breed of pets • may reach size as large as 5 inches in body length • Chinese hamster • smaller in size • often used for research • Dwarf hamster
Breed Selection • Important to observe hamster as alert, active, and healthy • Nonactive hamster may be ill • Selecting a younger hamster will allow it to bond better with new owner • Golden hamsters should be housed alone
Nutrition • Eat about ½ ounce of food daily • Eat seeds, grains, and cereals • Enjoy treats • Will often store food and treats into their cheek pouches, then burrow and store items for later use
Behavior • Should be housed in temperatures 60-80 degrees • Cold (below 45 degrees) stimulates hibernation • Normally eat several times a day • Food intake does not vary from day-to-day
Basic Training • Hamster training similar to that of rats and mice • Trained with consistency, proper handling, and using food as treats • Training young (4-7 weeks) easier than training an older animal • Enjoy exercise on wheels and balls
Equipment and Housing Needs • Aquariums or rodent cages • Should not be housed in wooden or plastic cages • Are great climbers and can squeeze through small openings • Cages need routine cleaning so bedding is soft and dust free
Restraint and Handling • Hamsters are usually docile • Will bite if startled when sleeping • Scruff loose skin over neck and back • Scruff using the first (?) • Lift and restrain for procedures
Restraint and Handling • Scruffing
Grooming • Easy pets to maintain; require little grooming • Occasional brushing, checking of teeth, and nails • May be ill if appearance is unkempt or have areas of wetness over the coat
Basic Health Care and Maintenance • Can be given regular exams • Should monitor for breathing problems, skin infections, or decreased activity • Teeth and nails should be monitored
Vaccinations • Hamsters do not require vaccinations • No vaccines are currently labeled
Reproduction and Breeding • Maturity: around 2 months • Estrus cycle: 4 days * *Estrus end marked by postovulatory vaginal discharge -Copious, white, thick, tenacious, distinctive odor • Gestation: 16 days • Litter size: 6-8 • Weaning: 21-28 days
Reproduction and Breeding • Neonates: hairless, toothless, eyes and ears closed • Cannibalism • Do not disturb mother for 7-10 days postpartum • Provide fresh greens; treat food just prior to parturition • Young requires access to water, in addition to mother’s milk
Common Diseases • “Wet tail” • Caused by a bacterial disease • Spreads rapidly through direct contact or bacterial spores • Causes include: • overcrowded cages • poor nutrition • poor sanitation methods • stress
Common Diseases • Signs of wet tail include: • Watery diarrhea • Dehydration • Weight loss • Eye discharge • Nasal discharge • Lethargy • Anorexia • Wet tail appearance • Irritable attitude
Common Diseases • “Wet tail” • Can be treated with antibiotics, medications, and fluid therapy • Should be isolated from other hamsters • Most susceptible between 3-8 weeks old
Common Diseases • Respiratory Infections • Caused by bacteria • Poor sanitation or excessive dust from bedding • May respond to antibiotics • Cage conditions must be improved
Common Diseases • Signs of respiratory disease include: • Nasal and ocular discharge • Sneezing • Labored or difficult breathing • Anorexia • Depression • Weight loss • Dehydration
Common Parasites • Mites • usually passed in poor bedding or other animals in household • Signs include hair loss, especially large clumps, and scratching • External parasites: fleas, lice, and ticks • Can be treated with topicals
Guinea Pigs • Excellent pets with lots of personality • Known for greeting with whistles • Excellent starter pets for young children • Larger than hamsters, smaller than rabbits • Generally live 5-7 years
Veterinary Terminology • Cavy • guinea pig • Boar • intact male guinea pig • Sow • intact female guinea pig • Kit • young guinea pig
Biology • Guinea pig is a rodent • Short, heavy body, short legs, no tail • Common external body terms include: • Cheek pouches • Fore feet • 4 claws • Hind feet • 3 claws