EXAM 2 STUDY GUIDE

1. What is the scientific name for the lab rats we use?

2. What is the common name for the lab rats we use?

3. What order do they belong to?

4. What family do they belong to?

1. Rattus norvegicus

2. Norway Rat

3. Rodentia

4. Muridae

1. How much do adult rats weigh?

2. Are male or female rats heavier?

1. 200-400 grams

2. male rats

What are the 3 most common outbred strains of rats?

1. Sprague-Dawley (albino)

2. Wistar (albino) 

3. Long-Evans (hooded)

What are the 3 most common inbred strains of rats and what are they used for?

1. Fischer 344 (F344) - gerontology, long-term toxicity studies

2. Spontaneously Hypertensive (SHR) - hypertension studies

3. Buffalo (Buff) - autoimmune disease, specifically Hashimoto’s

What are the 2 most common inbred mutant rat strains and what are makes each unique?

1. Nude - lacks T cells, used in cancer studies because they accept human tumor grafts

2. Zucker Diabetic Fatty (ZDF) - develops hyperlipidemia and hyperglycemia

In comparison to mice, how do rats rank in use for biomedical research?

2nd

1. Are rats social?

2. Are rats aggressive?

3. Are rats nocturnal or diurnal?

4. If rats escape their cages, what do they do?

5. Do rats make vocalizations?

1. yes

2. not usually

3. nocturnal

4. explore and then return to their cage

5. yes, but usually at frequencies we can’t hear

1. What percent of body length does the tail account for in rats?

2. Can rats vomit? Why or why not?

3. What does the Harderian Gland do?

4. How would you describe the shape of a rat’s uterus?

1. 85%

2. no, the fold in the ridge between the two parts of their stomach covers the esophagus

3. secrete tears that contain high levels of porphyrin

4. bicornate (double horned)

TRUE OR FALSE

Accumulation of red crust around the eyes is normal in rats

FALSE

Accumulation of red crust in rats is a sign the rat is feeling unwell, rats usually groom the crust away

Is it a good idea to check rat/mice/etc… teeth when examining them? Why or why not?

Yes

Their teeth grow continuously so you should always check them in case their are signs of malocclusion

1. Rats should NOT be bred until they are how old?

2. Are rats born altricial or precocial?

1. 3 months

2. altricial (blind, naked, deaf)

1. Are pheromones as important to rats as they are in mice?

2. Which, if any, specific pheromonal effects occur in rats?

1. no, they have a less important role

2. Whitten Effect - synchronization of estrus

Does the Bruce effect occur in rats?

no

1. What percent of protein and fat should make up a rat’s diet?

2. Should rats be fed ad libitum?

3. What happens if rats consume more soy protein than casein protein?

4. Are rats coprophagic?

1. 20-25% protein, 4% fat

2. not necessarily, they may become obese

3. they may live longer

4. yes

TRUE OR FALSE

When handled frequently, young rats become more docile over time

TRUE

1. The lateral tail vein is good for drawing how much blood?

2. What would help vasodilate blood vessels?

3. If you need to draw blood from the same site, should you move up or down?

1. moderate amounts

2. warm water, warm water bottle, heating pad

3. move up

When administering drugs, what can you add to make it more palatable?

up to 5mL of sugar/syrup

Is pre-anesthetic fasting recommended for rats?

no

What are the 3 reasons why an otherwise clean facility might have infectious agents in them?

1. some agents are extremely contagious

2. some are extremely resistant

3. some are extremely difficult to eradicate

1. Which rat strain is prone to mammary tumors?

2. Which rat strain is prone to testicular tumors?

1. Sprague-Dawley

2. F344

1. what is the scientific name for gerbils?

2. What order and family do gerbils belong to?

3. where are gerbils native to?

4. how much do adult gerbils weigh?

1. Meriones unguiculatus

2. Rodentia (order), Cricetidae (family)

3. Mongolian and Chinese deserts

4. 50-100 grams

what aspects of gerbils make them favorable pets?

• clean

• friendly

• easy to tame and gandle

• rarely bite

• nearly odor free

• curious and active

what kind of research are gerbils used in?

• stroke

• behavior

• parasitology

• epilepsy

• radiobiology

• auditory

• lipid metabolism

• infectious diseases

What aspect of gerbil anatomy is thought to make them especially prone to seizures/epilepsy?

incomplete circle of willis

• only one route of blood flow towards the brain

• can be blocked to create a stroke

what is the main physiological difference between rats/mice and gerbils?

gerbils have furred feet and tails

TRUE OR FALSE

filarial nematode (heartworm) larvae not harmful in gerbils

TRUE

1. are gerbils social?

2. do gerbils burrow?

3. are gerbils monogamous or polygamous?

4. do gerbils accept new partners if their old partner dies?

1. yes

2. yes

3. monogamous

4. NO! mate for life

1. what is the dental formula for gerbils?

2. do gerbils have Harderian glands?

3. how many times larger are gerbil’s adrenal glands in comparison to a rat’s?

4. why do gerbils have such large adrenal glands?

1. 2 (1/1 incisors, 0/0 canines, 0/0 premolars, 3/3 molars)

2. yes

3. 3 times

4. water and electrolyte conservation

How would you tell the difference between male and female gerbils?

MALE

• darkly pigmented scrotum

• large anogenital distance

FEMALE

• shorter anogenital distance

What is unique about the way gerbils produce urine?

• highly concentrated urine

• produced one drop at a time

1. how long does it take for a female gerbil to give birth?

2. why is it important to know how long birth should take?

3. are baby gerbils born altricial or precocial?

1. about an hour

2. intervention can be performed in case of dystocia

3. altricial

what special precautions should you take if housing gerbils?

• cages MUST have lids (they are great jumpers)

• no cedar bedding

what kind of enrichment would be suitable for gerbils?

• exercise wheels

• PVC pipes

• shredding material for nesting

what are some restraint methods that can be used on gerbils

• grab by base of the tail

• scooping using palm of the hand or cup

• scruffing

what blood collection sites may be used for gerbils?

• retroorbital sinus

• pedal vein

• lateral tail vein

when administering an IP injection for a gerbil, what modification must be performed?

administer in an upright position because they HATE being upside down

why is it challenging to determine if a gerbil has reached surgical plane?

• they writhe (move/twitch) before entering surgical plane

• use reflexes to assess depth (EX: pedal pinch, righting reflex)

is it safe to treat gerbils with antibiotics?

yes

TRUE OR FALSE

There are no clinically significant viral infections that are currently recognized in gerbils

TRUE

In gerbils, Salmonellosis:

• has what clinical signs?

• causes survivors to become what?

• what should be done with infected animals? why?

• dehydration, lethargy, emaciation, rough hair coat, sometimes testicular enlargement

• asymptomatic carriers

• euthanasia, zoonotic potential

When handling small animals with large eyes, handlers should be careful to not squeeze too hard to avoid what?

ocular proptosis (rupture of the eye)

TRUE OR FALSE

Gerbils have a high tolerance of streptomycin

FALSE

gerbils have a VERY low margin of safety when given streptomycin

What is chromodacryorrhea?

excessive secretion from the Harderian gland, causing accumulation of red crust around the eyes

What are the clinical signs of an aural cholesteatoma?

• head tilt

• keratin mass accumulation in external ear canal

1. what order and family do hamsters belong to?

2. what are the two most commonly used hamsters in lab settings?

3. how much does each species weigh respectively?

1. Rodentia (order), Cricetidae (family)

2. golden/Syrian hamster & Chinese/striped

3. 120 grams (Syrian) & 30 grams (Chinese)

what aspects of hamsters make them favorable pets?

1. small

2. easy to tame if handled frequently

3. low care requirements

4. free of spontaneous disease

what kind of research are hamsters used in?

• infecious disease

• cancer

• immunology

• hypothermia

• dental cavities

• reproductive physiology

• cardiomyopathy

• thrombosis

What special research are Chinese hamsters used in?

• type 1 juvenile-onset diabetes

• cytogenetic models (low diploid chromosome number: 11 pairs)

• radiobiology research

What special research are Syrian hamsters used in?

Study of pineal gland & its effect on the photoperiod

1. are hamsters social animals?

2. are hamsters nocturnal or diurnal?

3. hamsters are permissive hibernators, what does this mean?

1. NO!

2. nocturnal

3. may/may not hibernate depending on the conditions (low light, cool temperatures, quiet, shorter days)

what is the dental formula for hamsters?

2 (1/1 incisors, 0/0 canines, 0/0 premolars, 3/3 molars)

How can you tell the difference between male and female hamsters?

MALE

• larger anogenital distance

• more prominent flank glands

FEMALE

• smaller anogenital distance

• smaller flank glands

• larger overall size than males

is it normal for hamsters to have turbid/milky urine with crystals in it?

yes

Which lab species has the shortest gestation?

hamsters (16 days)

what type of enrichment is preferred for hamsters?

1. exercise wheels

2. PVC pipes

3. shredding material for nesting

4. fruit/veggie treats

what are some restraint methods you can use on hamsters?

• cup and scoop (with hands or cup)

• scruff loose skin over the neck

Antibiotic-Associated Enterocolitis

• what kind of disease is it?

• what are the symptoms?

• bacterial

• anorexia, ruffled fur, dehydration, profuse diarrhea

Proliferative Ileitis

• what kind of disease is it?

• what is the common name for this disease?

• how is it transmitted?

• what is the prognosis?

• bacterial

• wet tail

• fecal oral

• grave

bedding associated dermatitis most commonly affects what kind of hamsters?

• long haired hamsters

• geriatric hamsters

Lymphocytic choriomeningitis

• what kind of disease is it?

• what are the clinical signs in hamsters?

• is it zoonotic?

• viral

• none (subclinical)

• yes!

1. what is the scientific name for guinea pigs?

2. what order do guinea pigs belong to?

3. what are the 3 main breeds of guinea pigs?

1. Cavia porcellus (aka Cavies)

2. Rodentia

3. English, Abyssinian, Peruvian

a hedgehog-like animal is called what?

Hystricomorph

1. the English breed of guinea pig has two outbred stocks, what are they?

2. what is the hairless strain of guinea pigs?

3. what is the inbred strain of guinea pigs?

1. Duncan-Hartly & Hartly

2. strain 2

3. strain 13

what kind of studies are guinea pigs used in?

• audiology (common)

• asthma

• anaphylaxis

• immunology

• infectious disease

• nutrition

1. are guinea pigs social?

2. where do guinea pigs like to walk when in their cages?

3. when are guinea pigs active?

4. what is the Preyer reflex?

5. are guinea pigs vocal?

6. are guinea pigs creatures of habit?

1. yes

2. periphery of cage

3. daytime

4. pinna reflex turns ears in response to sound

5. yes! (11 vocalizations)

6. yes! too much change will make them stop eating

1. even though guinea pigs are prey animals, they have extremely well developed senses in which areas?

2. what is the dental formula of a guinea pig?

3. what is unique about guinea pigs cecums?

4. guinea pigs lack L-gluconolactone oxidase, meaning they need what supplemented in their diet?

1. hearing, olfaction, color distinction

2. 2 (1/1 incisors, 0/0 canines, 1/1 premolars, 3/3 molars)

3. make up 65% of GI capacity

4. vitamin C (ascorbic acid)

Vitamin C is also known as?

Ascorbic acid

what are the sexual characteristics of male and female guinea pigs?

MALE

• larger

• 2 pronged penis

• os penis

FEMALE

• Y shaped genital-anal opening

1. what is a Kurloff cell and what do they do?

2. what does normal guinea pig urine look like?

1. mononuclear lymphocyte found in placenta and in blood, function as natural killer (NK) cells

2. opaque, creamy, yellow with crystals

Guinea pig reproductive/biological data

If a sow (female guinea pig) is to be bred, when should it happen and why

• must be bred before 7 months of age

• pelvic symphysis permanently fuses after this, causing dystocia and death if there is no intervention

TRUE OR FALSE

In guinea pigs, gestation of larger litters is longer and smaller litters is shorter

FALSE

gestation for larger litters is shorter and gestation for smaller litters is longer

1. what is it called when a guinea pig is giving birth?

2. how long should it take for guinea pigs to take birth?

3. are baby guinea pigs altricial or precocial?

4. do baby guinea pigs receive colostrum?

1. farrowing

2. 30 minutes

3. precocial

4. no, they get antibodies from Kurloff cells

1. are guinea pig cages required to have lids? why?

2. what is the best cage shape to prevent guinea pig stampedes?

1. no, they are poor climbers and jumpers

2. rectangle

is it okay to house guinea pigs with rabbits, cats, and/or dogs?

NO!

they can get Bordatella bronchiseptica

1. what kind of feeders should guinea pigs have to prevent them from sleeping and pooping in their food?

2. what is the best way to provide water to guinea pigs? why?

1. J-feeders

2. automatic waterers, they like to play with water bottles and put food in water

how should guinea pigs be held?

two hands: 1 under trunk and 1 under rear quarters

what blood collection sites are acceptable for collecting smaller amounts of blood in guinea pigs?

• toenail bed

• marginal ear vein

• saphenous vein

• cephalic vein

what blood collection sites are acceptable for collecting larger amounts of blood in guinea pigs?

• cranial vena cava (sedation required)

• jugular vein

• femoral artery/vein (sedation required)

• cardiac puncture (anesthesia required & considered a terminal proceedure)

Are gavage needles acceptable to be used in guinea pigs?

NO!

a 5-6 gauge french infant feeding tube through palatal ostium can be used instead

1. should guinea pigs be fasted before surgery? if yes, how long?

2. what is the most common surgery guinea pigs undergo?

1. yes, 3-6 hours

2. surgery involving the inner ear

what are the general symptoms of a sick guinea pig?

• hunched posture

• scruffy coat

• reduced appetite/anorexia

• weight loss

Where would injections occur in the following sites on a guinea pig?

• SC

• IM

• IP

• IV

• SC — loose skin over neck and back

• IM — lumbar or quadriceps muscles

• IP — lower right quadrant of abdomen

• IV — saphenous/cephalic/marginal ear vein

TRUE OR FALSE

Guinea pigs tend to get better when they become ill

FALSE

guinea pigs tend to NOT get better when they become ill

Antibiotic toxicity

1. what kind of disease is it?

2. what is the prognosis?

1. bacterial

2. grave (almost always fatal)

Bordetella bronchiseptica and Streptococcus pneumoniae may exist as _____ infections within the guinea pig until the animal is stressed.

Bordetella bronchiseptica and Streptococcus pneumoniae may exist as latent infections within the guinea pig until the animal is stressed.

Cervical Lymphadenitis

1. what kind of disease is it?

2. what is it’s common name?

3. what does it do to the animal?

4. how is it spread?

5. what is the treatment?

1. bacterial

2. lumps

3. abscesses of the cervical lymph nodes

4. bite wounds or abrasion of oral mucosa from food

5. surgical incision & flush or culling

Salmonellosis

1. what kind of disease is it?

2. what does it cause?

3. what is the source of infection?

4. what does it do to the organs of the infected animal?

5. what is the treatment? why?

1. bacterial

2. acute, fatal septicemia

3. contaminated food/water

4. massive splenomegaly with yellow-white nodules

5. culling because of zoonotic potential

1. masitis is common in what kind of guinea pigs? what is the treatment?

2. is conjunctivitis in guinea pigs contagious? how long does it take to heal?

3. cystitis and urolithiasis usually affect what kind of guinea pigs? what is the treatment?

1. lactating sows, wean young & antibiotics

2. self limiting, 3-4 weeks

3. geriatric sows, antibiotics & limit high calcium foods

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a _____ virus that is species specific and _____.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a herpes virus that is species specific and latent.

Cavian leukemia is a neoplasia specific to their __ cells.

It can be diagnosed through a ____ exam.

Cavian leukemia is a neoplasia specific to their B cells.

It can be diagnosed through a blood exam.

___ virus is an RNA containing enterovirus with _________ transmission. Clinical signs include: ______________________________________

Polio virus is an RNA containing enterovirus with fecal oral transmission. Clinical signs include: lameness, flaccid paralysis, weight loss, death

_______ is caused by mites

_______ is a burrowing sarcoptic mange mite that affects guinea pigs

Signs: ______________________________

Acariasis is caused by mites

T. caviae is a burrowing sarcoptic mange mite that affects guinea pigs.

Signs: alopecia, crusting, severe pruritis

_________ is caused by biting lice

Signs: ______________________________

Pediculosis is caused by biting lice

Signs: alopecia, rough hair coat, & mild pruritis

TRUE OR FALSE

Incidence of neoplasia is relatively low, even in aged guinea pigs

TRUE

1. Are trichofolliculomas benign or malignant?

2. Where do they occur?

3. What is the treatment?

1. benign

2. over the lumbosacral area

3. easily removed surgically

1. scurvy in guinea pigs occurs because of what?

2. what are they clinical symptoms?

3. how much vitamin C must be supplemented daily as treatment until recovered?

1. improper diet

2. reluctance to move, unkempt appearance, swelling around joints, infrequent diarrhea

3. 30 mg/kg/day

What are circumanal sebaceous accumulations and how are they treated?

• Plug between scrotum causing an unpleasant smell

• Clean with soap and water periodically