Explain major health concerns for rabbits, ferrets, and

1
Explain major health concerns for rabbits,
ferrets, and pocket pets. Identify the major
diseases of rabbits, ferrets, and pocket pets.
p. 226
2
RABBIT
3
Rabbits 1. Enteritis- four types of intestinal
tract inflammation called mucoid, enterotoxemia,
Tyzzers disease (caused by bacteria), and
coccidiosis (caused by an internal
parasite). Symptoms diarrhea stained with blood
and mucous, potbellies, and rough hair coat.
4
2. Snuffles- caused by an organism Pasteruella
multocida. Symptoms persistent sneezing with a
white colored nasal discharge.
5
(No Transcript)
6
Fur on the front feet will be matted from the
constant pawing at the nose. Abscesses may appear
on the legs, neck, shoulders, head.
7
3. Mastitis- inflammation of mammary tissue.
Caused by bacteria Staphylococcus or Pasteurella
and circulate to the mammary tissue.
8
Symptoms inflamed mammary system that could be
swollen, hot, and dark red or blue-colored.
9
4. Weepy eye- inflammation of conjunctiva mucus
membrane lining of the eyelid and eyeball caused
by an infection Pasteurella multocida.
10
(No Transcript)
11
Look for Excessive discharge from eye and matted
fur under eye. Rabbit may rub eye.
12
5. Syphilis- venereal disease caused by Treponema
cunniculi. Symptoms bare areas around genitals,
small blisters or ulcers from and eventually
become covered with scabs.
13
6. Wry Neck caused by inflammation of the inner
ear by Pasteurella multocida. Head tilt to the
side is the most common symptom.
14
(No Transcript)
15
(No Transcript)
16
Walking in circles Nystygmus (darting
eye) Rolling (in later stages) Paralysis of the
hind quarter
17
7. Infectious Myxomatosis- fatal virus
transmitted by mosquito, biting flies, and
direct contact. Symptoms conjunctivitis with a
milky discharge from the inflamed eye,
18
Then becoming listless, failing to eat, and have
a temperature as high as 108 degrees F, breathing
becomes labored upper respiratory infection
followed by death.
19
8. Papillomatosis- small warts or tumors found in
or around the head, neck, ears and mouth.
20
9. Ringworm- caused by Trichophyton
mentagrophytes associated with poor
management practices.
21
Positive test for fungus
22
Fungal spores under a microscope
23
Symptoms circular areas, raised, reddened, and
capped with white, flaky material.
24
10. Ear mite- the ear mite Psoroptes cunniculi
external mite causes the infection.
Symptoms shaking of the head, flapping the ears,
and scratching at the ears with the hind feet.
25
(No Transcript)
26
(No Transcript)
27
Qtip ear discharge
28
11. Pinworms-Passalurus ambiguous sanitation and
good management practices prevents infestation.
Symptoms slow growth and poor coat condition.
29
Shiny, half-inch long white worms on the surface
of fresh feces.
30
12. Wet dewlaps- caused by the rabbit dragging
the dewlap into the water bowl causing it to get
wet and fur to get matted then infection sets in.
31
Can lead to maggots in dewlap and death.Seen in
older does with large dewlaps(fatty area under
neck)
32
13. Fur chewing- pulling of fur from itself or
other rabbits caused by low-fiber diet.
33
14. Hutch Burn- chapped or burning condition of
the external genital area of doe. Caused by
sitting in dirty, wet, urine
soaked
bedding.
34
15. Sore Hocks- ulcerated area of the foot pads
caused by rough wire cage floors and size of foot
pad doesnt support the weight of animal.
35
AKA pododermatitis
36
A cage floor like this can cause it
37
Ahhh Relief!
38
16. Malocclusion- upper and lower teeth have
grown to where an animal cannot eat. Condition
results from teeth not wearing down properly or
was inherited.
39
Lower incisors
40
(No Transcript)
41
HAMSTER
42

• Wet tail Enteritis caused by poor sanitation,
  bacteria, viruses, and diet. Stressed caused.

43
(No Transcript)
44
Symptoms wetness around the tail and rear of the
animal, caused by a runny diarrhea, go off feed,
have rough hair coats, become weak, and can have
a rectal prolapse.
45
2. Bacillus piliformis and Salmonella - affected
animals have diarrhea, go off feed, lose weight
rapidly, or become weak and lethargic.
46
3. Common diarrhea caused by incorrect direct
should not be confused with serious infections.
47
4. Baldness or hair loss normal in old hamsters
especially around the rump.
48
5. Fleas and lice especially if other small
animals are near.
49
6. Notoedres notedres mites common that are
spread by direct contact.
50
7. Demodex criceti and Demodex aurati two
species of demodectic mites that are normally
found on hamsters.
51
Large numbers cause demodicosis or
demodectic mange.
52
8. Lymphocytic choriomeningitis (LCM) normally
affects young animals. Symptoms loss of weight,
drowsiness, ruffled coat, and lethargic movement.
53
Not fatal but causes slower growth than normal.
Can spread to humans and pregnant women must
take care to avoid exposure because it can cause
premature birth and malformations.
54
GERBILS
55
1. Colds most common ailment. Symptoms loss of
appetite, constant sneezing, and runny eyes and
nose.
56
2. Red nose Staphylococcus bacteria cause it
and animal will recover without any medication.
57
Symptoms hair loss and red, swollen areas of the
skin around the nose and muzzle.
58
3. Tyzzers disease Bacillus piliformes cases
high death losses. Symptoms rough hair coat,
weight loss, listlessness, and inactivity.
59
4. External parasites caused by fleas, lice and
Demodex species. Symptoms dull fur, fur falling
out, and unusual or continuous scratching by the
animal.
60
5. Fits or seizures animal appears to go into a
trance, which only lasts for a few seconds. No
treatment is necessary.
61
                                                
           A fitting gerbil will often adopt
this posture
62
RATS
63
1. Respiratory disease a. Microplasma pulmonis
more common cause.
64
Symptoms nasal discharge, snuffling, rattled
breathing, rubbing the eyes and nose, titled
head, in-coordination, and circling.
65
2. External parasites Polyplax spinulosa is a
type of louse that may infest rats and cause loss
of hair and itching.
66
Others are Dermanyssus, Notoedres
muris, Radfordia ensifera, and Ornithonyssus
bacoti.
67
MICE
68
1. Respiratory disease caused by several
organisms including Mycoplasma pulmonis, Sendai
virus, Pasteurella pneumotropica,
69
Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella Pneumoniae,
and Bordetella bronchiseptica.
70
Symptoms squeaking or rattling Breath, runny
nose, watery eyes, and fur loss.
71
2. Salmonella and related bacteria are
responsible for many of the serious
infectious dieases.
72
3. Mites commonly infected with Myobia musculi,
Mycocoptes musculinus, Myocoptes rombutsi,
Radfordia affinis, and Ornithonyssus bacoti.
73
Symptoms irritation and inflammation due to hair
loss.
74
4. Internal parasites pinworm, tapeworm, and
protozoans (Spironucleus muris and Giardia muris).
75
Symptoms Lethargic, hunched posture, no weight
gain, sticky stools, and gas and fluid filled
intestines
76
Guinea Pigs
77
1. Common cold and respiratory diseases major
problem caused by Bordetella bronchiseptica,
Pseudomonas aeriginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and
78
Streptococcus pneumoniae and pyogenes. Symptoms
lethargic, listless, discharges (nose) and
sneezing.
79
2. Neck swellings result of enlarged abscessed
lymph nodes caused by Streptococcus zooepidemicus
and Streptococcus moniliformis.
80
3. Toxemia developed in late pregnancy.
Symptoms females will be lethargic, go off feed,
refuse to eat, and have difficulty breathing.
81
4. External parasites caused by various mites.
Symptoms severe lesions and hair loss.
82
5. Reaction to antibiotics give only broad
spectrum antibiotics.
83
CHINCHILLAS
84
1. Pseudomonas aeruginosa organism that causes
infection in wounds, inflammation of eyes and
ears, pneumonia, intestinal inflammation,
85
uterine inflammation, and poisoning of the
circulatory system.
86
a. Eye inflammation (conjunctivitis) symptoms
swelling and redness around the eyes, sensitivity
to light, watering, and pus formation.
87
b. Inner ear infection (otitis) symptoms
twisting and lowering of the head, hanging head
to one side, and running in a circle.
88
c. Pneumonia symptoms listlessness, failure to
eat, breathing difficulty, and swollen abdomen.
89
d. Intestinal infections (enteritis) symptoms
watery diarrhea, mushy droppings, constipation,
listlessness, appetite loss, rough hair coat, and
swollen abdomen.
90
e. Uterine infection symptoms watery, white
pus vaginal discharges, increased urination, and
biting at the flank.
91
f. Pathogenic organism absorbed through the
circulatory system. Symptoms listless, go off
feed, and weight loss.
92
2. Listeria monocytogenes pathogenic organism.
Symptoms go off feed, lose weight, rear quarter
paralysis, and go into a coma.
93
3. Giardia common intestinal parasite.
Symptoms cysts, intermittent watery diarrhea,
or impaction.
94
4. Ringworm caused by Trichophyton
mentagrophytes. Symptoms loss of hair
and reddening around nose, eyes, and base of tail.
95
(No Transcript)
96
5. Impaction lower digestive system becomes
tightly packed with food material or feces then
followed by diarrhea.
97
(No Transcript)
98
6. Fur chewing common problem leaving patches
of short fur.
99
7. Convulsions caused by either a lack of
calcium or vitamin B.
100
8. Mastitis symptoms swelling, redness, and
hardness of the breast.
101
FERRETS
102
1. Susceptible to canine and feline distemper and
rabies.
103
2. Hemorrhagic enteritis or bloody diarrhea
commonly seen. Symptoms go off feed, bloody
diarrhea, weight loss, dehydration, and possibly
death.
104
3. Pasteurella multocida bacteria that may
cause sudden death without any clinical sign.
Symptoms may go off feed, develop breathing
problems, become lethargic, have locomotor
problems.
105
4. Botulism symptoms breathing difficulty and
paralysis.
106
5. Ear mites symptoms scratching, head
shaking, buildup of debris in the external ear
canal.