VCNA Exotics 2

Question 1

In addition to the nest consolidation test, what behavior assessment can be used as a measurement of pain in some rodents?

Answer 1

Burrowing assessment

Question 2

What species has the highest number of publications on grimace scales?
A) rat
B) mouse
C) guinea pig

Answer 2

B) mouse - 57!
Rats have 46, guinea pigs have 3, rabbits have 4, ferrets have 1

Question 3

How long does hydromorphone at 0.1 mg/kg last in ferrets?

Answer 3

2 hrs

Question 4

Is transmucosal detomidine gel effective in ferrets?

Answer 4

Yes, for pe and venipuncture

Question 5

Are there published PK/PD studies on gabapentin in ferrets?

Answer 5

No, only case reports of its use

Question 6

How long does buprenorphine last in ferrets?

Answer 6

4-6 hrs

Question 7

Is the dose of 0.2mg/kg of meloxicam in ferrets evidence based?

Answer 7

Yes, PK study showed this is appropriate for this species
(This is the only nsaid with any PK studies in ferrets)

Question 8

Which location of placement for a fentanyl patch in a rabbit results in a longer period of adequate plasma concentrations for analgesia?
A) outer neck
B) outer ear
C) inner ear

Answer 8

A) outer neck - 6-72 hours

Outer ear - 9-48 hrs
Inner ear placement did NOT result in analgesic plasma levels!
Note - a study assessing effects of fentanyl patches in rabbits shows no differences in pain between control group and treatment group.

Question 9

What side effect was noted for rabbits receiving fentanyl patches?

Answer 9

Risk of removal/ingestion by the patient, and developed diffuse erythema underlying the patch following removal

Question 10

How long does standard buprenorphine HCl formulation provide analgesia in rabbits?

Answer 10

4-12 hrs depending on study

Question 11

How long does plasma efficacy levels last for simbadol and buprenorphine SR?

Answer 11

42h for simbadol, 72h for BupSR

Question 12

Is oral transmucosal buprenorphine HCl recommended for use in rabbits?

Answer 12

No. Required large volumes and achieved lower plasma concentrations compared to SQ route.

Question 13

What dose of tramadol has been suggested for rabbits?

Answer 13

10-20 mg/kg SQ twice daily
Oral may not be effective at 11 mg/kg

Question 14

What dose of meloxicam has been recommended in rabbits?

Answer 14

1 mg/kg loading dose, then 0.5-1mg/kg follow up doses (studies show once daily dosing)
0.2-0.3mg/kg ineffective
1.5mg/kg once daily for 7 days caused mild hepatic and renal changes on histopath, resolved in day 10 post treatment.
3 mg/kg developed severe hepatic necrosis and glomerular damage that persisted at day 10 post treatment.

Question 15

What dose and duration of efficacy does grapiprant have in rabbits?

Answer 15

2 mg/kg IV, worked for up to 10 hrs
Oral dosing efficacy and safety unknown

Question 16

In addition to pain relief, what positive result can be seen with iv lidocaine in rabbits?

Answer 16

Anti-inflammatory effects in rabbit endotoxemia models
GI pro-motility

Question 17

What complication has been reported with infraorbital nerve blocks in rabbits?

Answer 17

Neuropraxia
Resolved within 10 days of the block

Question 18

What method of maxillary nerve block is recommended in rabbits?

Answer 18

Through the maxillary foramen
Insert needle below the zygomatic arch and caudal to lateral canthus of eye, and slowly advance dorsally, medially, and caudally until bone is contacted, then withdraw slightly and inject after negative aspiration.

Question 19

What nerve block site desensitizes the ipsilateral palate?

Answer 19

Palatine foramen block

Question 20

What nerve innervates the mandibular teeth, lower lip, and intermandibular tissues in rabbits?

Answer 20

Inferior alveolar nerve

Question 21

How is the interior alveolar nerve blocked?

Answer 21

Extraoral approach in medial mandible

Question 22

What is another approach to inferior alveolar block in rabbits?

Answer 22

Question 23

How is the mental nerve block performed in rabbits?

Answer 23

Question 24

What is unique about placement of a retrobulbar block in a rabbit?

Answer 24

In order to perform an intraconal injection, will feel a “pop sensation” when entering the muscle cone
Can also inject in the periconal space
Insert needle at lateral canthus of the eye between the eyeball and orbital bone, advance toward the opposite mandible; and inject
Risk of damaging the retrobulbar venous plexus

Question 25

What does the greater auricular nerve innervate in rabbits?

Answer 25

Sensory to the pinna and vertical ear canal

Question 26

What does the auriculotemporal nerve innervate in rabbits?

Answer 26

Sensory to the medial horizontal ear canal

Question 27

What dose of meloxicam has been shown to be safe in mice when administered SQ once daily for up to 6 days?

Answer 27

20 mg/kg

Question 28

What is a potential adverse effect with ultra low doses of buprenorphine in rats?

Answer 28

Hyperalgesia

Question 29

What are clinical signs of nausea in rodents?

Answer 29

Weight loss or pica

Question 30

Can oral buprenorphine be effective in rats?

Answer 30

Yes, but not as effective as SQ administration, and requires a 10x dose increase due to significant first pass liver metabolism

Question 31

Synergistic effects are seen with gabapentinoids and what other drug class?

Answer 31

Opioids

Question 32

How many lung lobes do ferrets have?

Answer 32

Total of 6 2 left (apical and diaphragmatic), 4 right (apical, middle, diaphragmatic, and accessory)

Question 33

What volume of sterile saline should be used for tracheal wash in ferrets?

Answer 33

1mL/kg

Question 34

What does the palatial ostrium connect and in what species?

Answer 34

Oropharynx connected to the nasopharynx and larynx. Chinchillas and guinea pigs

Question 35

The larynx is ____ to the palatal ostium. A) ventral B) dorsal C) caudal

Answer 35

C) caudal

Question 36

The thymus in guinea pigs is located _____ thoracic cavity. A) in the cranial B) in the dorsal C) outside the

Answer 36

C) outside the Located in the cranial cervical region in close contact with the trachea and salivary glands

Question 37

Where is the chinchilla thymus located?

Answer 37

Intrathoracic

Question 38

Where is the degu thymus located?

Answer 38

Cervical and mediastinal components Cervical part is bilobed and remains active and large for the entire life of the animal unlike the mediastinal component

Question 39

How many lungs do degus, guinea pigs, and chinchillas have?

Answer 39

7 3 left, 4 right For all 3 species, right lungs are the cranial, middle, caudal, accessory For chinchillas and guinea pigs, left lungs are the middle (2 portions), caudal, and accessory For degus, left lungs are the cranial, middle, and caudal

Question 40

What type of nodules may be seen in healthy guinea pig lungs?

Answer 40

Perivascular lymphoid nodules - may reach 0.5mm diameter and become visible as pinpoint whitish nodules on the lung surface.

Question 41

What do multifocal black pinpoint discolorations on the lung surface of guinea pigs indicate?

Answer 41

Subpleural anthracosis

Question 42

What percentage of guinea pigs and chinchillas have respiratory pathology at the time of death?

Answer 42

65% guinea pigs, 46% chinchillas Interstitial pneumonia most common

Question 43

Which sex/life status of guinea pigs and chinchillas may be predisposed to infectious pneumonia?

Answer 43

Adult pregnant females Females more susceptible to chlamydia infections than males.

Question 44

What is a silhouette sign in radiographs?

Answer 44

Blurring of the cardiac, diaphragmatic, great vessels, and mediastinal structures against the lung parenchyma - indicates the lung parenchyma is too radio dense or there is pleural effusion present.

Question 45

What is the most common cause of respiratory distress in degus?

Answer 45

Dental disease, particularly elodontoma formation or apical maxillary premolar/molar elongation.

Question 46

What does presence of a fissure sign mean on radiographs?

Answer 46

Usually a sign of pleural effusion; can also be seen with peripheral pulmonary atelectasis

Question 47

What are classic causes of an interstitial lung pattern?

Answer 47

Viral, mycoplasma, chlamydia, and endotoxemic shock

Question 48

What is the classic presentation of congenital chlamydiosis in guinea pigs?

Answer 48

Congenital conjunctivitis

Question 49

In chinchillas, streptococcal infections are most commonly associated with:

Answer 49

Otitis media and ocular disorders

Question 50

In guinea pigs, streptococcal infections are most commonly associated with:

Answer 50

Inapparent upper respiratory infections, suppurative otitis, rhinitis, conjunctivitis, dyspnea, cyanosis, hematuria, hemoglobinuria, mastitis, and unexpected deaths.

Question 51

What bacterial organisms found in the upper respiratory tract of rabbits can look very similar to each other?

Answer 51

Bordetella sp and Pasteurella sp

Question 52

How many lung lobes do rabbits have?

Answer 52

6 4 on right, 2 on left

Question 53

How soon after an intubation procedure did 2 rabbits develop tracheal stenosis?

Answer 53

12-17 days after the procedure One was managed successfully using a tracheal stent

Question 54

What dose of buprenorphine was required to induce analgesia in chinchillas and for how long was it effective?

Answer 54

0.2mg/kg sq, worked for less than 4 hours

Question 55

What dose of buprenorphine was required to induce analgesia in guinea pigs and for how long was it effective?

Answer 55

0.2mg/kg, 6 hours duration, causes weight loss and decreased fecal output

Question 56

What dose/efficacy length was found for hydromorphone in chinchillas?

Answer 56

2mg/kg provided analgesia for less than 4 hrs Reduced food intake and fecal output

Question 57

Which opioid should be avoided in chinchillas?

Answer 57

Tramadol

Question 58

Which nsaid has low bioavailability when administered orally in guinea pigs?

Answer 58

Meloxicam - 54% bioavailability orally

Question 59

Based on a PK study, which rodent has poor absorption rate of oral cannabidiol?

Answer 59

Guinea pigs

Question 60

What is a behavioral contingency?

Answer 60

A dependency between 2 or more events

Question 61

What are the behavior ABCs?

Answer 61

Antecedents, behavior, and consequences

Question 62

What species engages in corner digging and why?

Answer 62

Gerbils, when they are raised in absence of burrows will develop a steriotypy of digging repetitively in substrate in corners

Question 63

What drugs may be beneficial at treating self mutilation?

Answer 63

Pain medications Treatment of contributing underlying disease Carbamazepine (reduces hyperalgesia) Fluoxetine Gabapentin Pentoxyfylline (treatment of vasculitis)

Question 64

What drug may be associated with anaphylactic reactions in mini pigs?

Answer 64

Ketamine (Case series of three mini pigs with possible anaphylaxis with treatment that recovered with supportive care)

Question 65

What method may reduce the risk of fentanyl patch dislodgement and ingestion in mini pigs?

Answer 65

Cover the patch with elasticon and staple the elasticon to the skin

Question 66

What complication can happen if a fentanyl patch is used during a surgical procedure for analgesic effects?

Answer 66

If the patch is in direct contact with a heating device, this will increase release of the drug and may cause an overdose

Question 67

What perisurgical risk is possible with obese pet pigs?

Answer 67

Lipid embolism, delayed/prolonged sedation due to intrafat injections

Question 68

What anesthesia management procedure is most challenging/highest risks for mini pigs?

Answer 68

Intubation

Question 69

Malignant hyperthermia is caused by what in pigs?

Answer 69

A genetic condition causing alterations in the ryanodine receptor gene; causes significant/rapid rise in body temp and hypercapnia due to a surge in muscle activity. Predominantly described in Landrace, Pietrain, and Yorkshire pigs but there is a case report of a possible case in a mini pig (they did not test the mini pig for the gene so it is not confirmed)

Question 70

How is malignant hyperthermia treated in pigs?

Answer 70

Whole body cooling and administration of dantrolene sodium

Question 71

What species of exotic mammal has the lowest anesthetic-related risk of death?

Answer 71

Ferrets - 0.33% risk of mortality

Question 72

What is the target heart rate, respiratory rate, MAP, ETCO2, SPO2c, and temperature of a ferret under anesthesia?

Answer 72

Question 73

What is the anesthetic mortality rate for healthy rabbits?

Answer 73

1.39-4.8%

Question 74

What is the anesthetic mortality rate for systemically ill rabbits?

Answer 74

7.37%

Question 75

When are rabbits most likely to die associated with an anesthetic event?

Answer 75

In the 3 hrs immediately after anesthesia Can die up to 48h later

Question 76

What novel atypical opioid have shown efficacy in rabbits at providing postop analgesia and also serves as a norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor?

Answer 76

Tapentadol

Question 77

What percentage of rabbits have high levels of atropine esterase activity?

Answer 77

61%

Question 78

What enzyme do most rabbits possess that impacts functionality of anticholinergics?

Answer 78

Atropine esterase

Question 79

What hystricomorph species has been documented to successfully receive a transverse abdominis plane (TAP) block?

Answer 79

Chinchillas

Question 80

What do these anatomic markers demonstrate?

Answer 80

Relevant anatomy for TAP block

Question 81

What does this photo show?

Answer 81

A correctly placed TAP block

Question 82

What is a sounder?

Answer 82

Matrilineal pig social group containing a sow and her litter for that year

Question 83

Are pigs born with teeth?

Answer 83

Yes, have canine teeth (needle teeth) at birth that they use to fight siblings over access to teats

Question 84

Why do pigs wallow in mud?

Answer 84

They cannot sweat, and do this to cool off

Question 85

How much time do pigs spend resting?

Answer 85

50% of their time

Question 86

How much time do pigs spend foraging?

Answer 86

20-25% of their time

Question 87

What is the most common reason for housetraining struggles in pet pigs?

Answer 87

Underfeeding (in effort to keep them small) leads to polydipsia/polyuria May also struggle when females are in estrus as they naturally urinate more during this time A lot of pigs will urinate while they are drinking.

Question 88

Which species should never be left unattended with pigs?

Answer 88

Dogs Poor cross species communication can lead to dogs attacking pigs and vice versa