Lecture 22

Question 1

What are the characteristics of hyperthyroidism in guinea pigs?

Answer 1

-diagnosed via T4
-treated with methimazole or I-131 radiation therapy

Question 2

What are the characteristics of myxomatosis in rabbits?

Answer 2

-primarily on west coast of US
-spread by biting arthropods or direct contact
-reportable
-no effective treatment

Question 3

What are the clinical signs of myxomatosis?

Answer 3

-swelling of ears and face
-skin nodules
-genital and ocular discharge
-severe pyrexia
-lethargy
-septicemia
-death

Question 4

What is the prevention of myxomatosis?

Answer 4

-keep indoors or behind screens
-prevent contact with wild rabbits
-parasite prevention
-NO vaccine in US

Question 5

What are the characteristics of dermatophytes?

Answer 5

*zoonotic
*seen in young or immunosuppressed animals
*Trichophyton mentagroptes most common
-seen in guinea pigs, chinchillas, hedge hogs
-does NOT fluoresce
*Microsporum canis is less common
*treated with itraconazole or terbinafine

Question 6

What are the characteristics of rabbit ear mites?

Answer 6

-Psoroptes cuniculi
-severe ulcerative and proliferative dermatitis
-ear cleaning not recommended due to discomfort

Question 7

What are the characteristics of rabbit fur mites?

Answer 7

-Cheyletiella parasitovorax
-zoonotic
-non-burrowing
-“walking dandruff”

Question 8

What are the characteristics of guinea pig sarcoptic mites?

Answer 8

-Trixacarus caviae
-zoonotic
-causes severe pruritus that can look like seizures

Question 9

Which products are used for ectoparasite treatment in rabbits and rodents?

Answer 9

-selamectin
-ivermectin
-imidacloprid + moxidectin

Question 10

Which ectoparasite treatment agent is toxic to rabbits?

Answer 10

fipronil

Question 11

What are the characteristics of myiasis/fly strike?

Answer 11

*primary myiasis from cuterebra
-treatment is surgical removal
-want to avoid rupture of larvae; causes intense immune reaction

*secondary myiasis from blow flies
-develop in wounds or areas with urine or fecal staining/dermatitis
-generally have another underlying disease
-treatment involves removing larvae, wound management, and systemic stabilization

Question 12

Where do rabbits and rodents commonly receive fighting wounds?

Answer 12

-nose
-ears
-testicles

Question 13

What are the common neoplasias seen in rodents?

Answer 13

-rats: mammary fibroadenoma
-hamsters: lymphoma associated with hamster polyomavirus
-mice: carcinomas

Question 14

What are the characteristics of pododermatitis?

Answer 14

-common in all species
-rabbits have fur on bottoms of feet instead of foot pads; do not shave
-risk factors include obesity, arthritis, inappropriate or soiled substrate, and insufficient space
-grading scale exists for rabbits

Question 15

What are the characteristics of chinchilla conjunctivitis?

Answer 15

-often due to gram-neg. species
-over half of cases are due to Pseudomonas aeruginosa; especially if acute or concurrent with resp. disease
-consider topical and systemic treatment
-want gentamicin- or polymyxin B-containing antibiotics for the eyes
-thought to be due to environmental contamination

Question 16

What are the clinical signs of chinchilla conjunctivitis?

Answer 16

-chemosis
-ulceration
-blepharospasm
-often unilateral

Question 17

What causes cervical lymphadenitis in guinea pigs?

Answer 17

Strep. equi subsp. zooepidemicus

Question 18

Which neoplastic lymphoreticular diseases are seen?

Answer 18

-thymoma in rabbits
-lymphoma in all species

Question 19

What are the charactersitics of lymphocytic choriomeningitis?

Answer 19

-carried by mice, hamsters, and chinchillas
-wild house mouse is primary host
-rodents are often asymptomatic
-can cause weight loss and seizures
-zoonotic

Question 20

How does lymphocytic choriomeningitis affect people?

Answer 20

-exposure via rodent feces or direct contact
-vertical transmission in pregnancy leads to fetal death or birth defects
-has organ transplant implications
-clinical signs include flu-like symptoms, meningitis, and death

Question 21

What are the characteristics of Streptobacillus moniliformis?

Answer 21

-aka rat bite fever
-found in upper resp. tract and oral cavity of asymptomatic rats
-uncommonly causes colitis
-also carried by mice and gerbils
-zoonotic

Question 22

How does Streptobacillus moniliformis affect people?

Answer 22

-transmission through bite or wound
-causes flu-like symptoms and a maculopapular rash
-mortality possible if left untreated