ASCI 12 (Pet and Companion): Exam 2, FSU

California Fresno State University: Puppies, cats, small mammals, birds, zoonotic diseases, and zoonotic parasites. Animal Science 12- Pet and Companion Animal

How long in a bird’s average lifespan?

• 50-100 years

• life time commitment

The 2 types of birds and examples of each

• Psittaciformes- parrots, cockatoos, macaws

  • Big asf, need larger cages

  • Longer lives

• Passeriformes- Finches, canaries

  • “Song birds”

  • Smaller, variety of colors

  • Largest order: most variety of species

Parasite definition

Organisms that derive nourishment and protection from other living organisms

• Live in association with, and at the expense, of other organisms

Host definition

Organism that provides nutrients to the parasite

Ectoparasite vs Endoparasite

Ectoparasite: Found on the exterior of the host

• Examples: lice, fleas, ticks

Endoparasite: Found inside the host

• Examples: worms, amebae, protozoa

The 3 types of Hosts

1.) Definitive host: parasite reaches sexual maturity and reproduces sexually

2.) Intermediate (alternate) host: harbor an immature stage of a parasite (larva)

3.) Reservoir host: source of parasite that can be transmitted to humans from animals

3 ways a parasite can cause injury to a host

1.) Directly:

• physical obstruction

• mechanical damage

2.) Secrete factor:

• tissue lysing

• excretory products

3.) Induced response:

• immune response

• typically causes the most damage

Difference between natural vs human developed cat breeds

• Human developed breeds: created via crossbreeding

  • Ex: dwarf cats, ragdolls

• Natural breeds: arose from cats over time naturally

What is a Cat Fancy?

organization for cats confirmation shows in the US

Cat Gestation Length

63-65 days

Name for cat estrus?

Anestrous: Non-receptivity if no mating occurs

Specific term for cat ovulation

Induced ovulation: brought on by copulation (being bred)

Term for when female cats can have a litter with more than 1 male

Superfecundation

Toxic to cats?

• Lily- kidney failure

• Daffodil- cardiac events

• Tulip- drooling, vomiting, tremors

List the dangers of an outdoor cat (5)

• Fighting

• Disease

• Lost/Stolen

• Death (cars, weather, sickness)

• Decimate bird poop

Crucial point for kitten socialization

2-7 weeks

• If not socialized, they exhibit feral behavior

Primordial pouch 3 purposes

• Protect organs

• Flexibility

• Food storage in terms of fat/energy storage

Specific trait that came out of Egyptians breeding cats

Orange color

• due to high breeding from cat sacrifices

The 2 critical socialization periods for puppies

• 4-6 weeks: Puppies with other dogs, learning self

• 6-12 weeks: Puppies with humans

Why is socialization important?

to stop behavioral problems later on

When are puppies weaned and begin to leave into new homes?

6-8 weeks

What is a puppy fear period? When are the periods? What are they for?

• Fear periods: training to get used to certain noises

• 3-4 weeks: right after their eyes/ears open

  • Important bc it shows them that not everything is good for them

• 6-12? weeks: leaving comfortable environments to explore new things, learning how to regulate and be self. Desensitizing

What 2 people are responsible for puppy socialization?

• Person rearing the litter

• Person who adopts

Types of 3 jaw muscles that rodents are divided into

• The squirrel-like group

  • Squirrels, beavers, and gophers

• Mouse-like

  • Rats, mice, and hamsters

• Cavy-like

  • Chinchillas, guinea pigs, and porcupines

Rodent diet

• mainly herbivores

• can be omnivores

Specific thing hamsters do when cold

Pseudo Hibernation: suspended animation, seems like they’re dead

What do hamsters do when they’re stressed?

eat their young

How did rats/mice become domesticated?

Ppl who used them for lab work took them home from work

What are the pellets that rabbits make?

Caecotrophs: poo full of Vit B

Rabbit sleep cycle name

Crepuscular: Active at night twilight hours.

• After sun sets, before sun rises

3 ways rabbits can be utilized

• Meat

• Pelt (fur)

• Medical research

List 3 reasons small mammals are popular for children

• Minimum maintenance

• Not very messy

• Responsibility indicator

5 Reasons rats were favorable for lab work

• Prolific

• Rapid growth

• Small size

• Ease of handling

• Omnivorous digestive tract

Most small mammals end up with / die from?

cancer

Which mammal you can’t pick up by the tail

rabbits

Chinchillas originated where?

Andes mountains

Which mammal is born with hair and eyes open?

Chinchillas

Rabies

• Transmitted by saliva into tissue

  • Most common through bites

• Symptoms:

  • Changes the brain/behavior; acts aggressive, still posture, foaming at mouth, biting others

Biological vs Mechanical Vectors

• Biological Vectors:

  • Must carry pathogen that can multiply w/n their body

  • Spread agents to host by biting, aerosol formation, or touch

  • Examples: Mosquitoes, fleas, ticks, and tsetse flies

• Mechanical Vectors:

  • Picks up agent outside of body

  • Passive transmitters of disease

  • Transferred indirectly by an intermediate: food or contact

  • Examples: Houseflies and cockroaches

Zoonotic definition

Diseases that are naturally transmitted from animals to humans

Direct vs indirect transmission

• Direct transmission:

  • Immediate transfer from reservoir to suspect host

  • Touch, bite, scratch, or aerosol

• Indirect transmission:

  • Carried from reservoir to suspect host

Living vs Nonliving host examples

• Living

  • Animals

  • Humans

  • Arthropods

• Non-living

  • Air

  • Soil

  • Dust

  • Wood 

Infectious agents transmitted from bites

30

Ringworm facts

• Lives on the surface of skin bc it needs oxygen (aerobic)

• Transmitted by:

  • Direct contact

  • Indirect with contaminated fomites

    • Soil, clothing, shower floors, riding equipment, bedding

  • Airborne spores

  • Possibly by lice, fleas, flies, mites, or spiders

The 4 Clostridial Infections

• Cl. botulinum (botox?)

• Ci. tetani (tetanus)

  • Feces and soil

• Ci. perfringens

• Ci. Difficile (aka C-diff; rlly smelly diarrhea)

  • Fecal contamination

Why birds make good pets (at least 3)

1.) Highly intelligent

2.) Relatively easy to care for

3.) Kept in small spaces

4.) Require minimal grooming

5.) Highly social/bond well

6.) Fairly inexpensive to feed

7.) East to train

8.) Not likely to damage property

9.) Beautiful animals 

10.) Long lifespan

Toxic to birds?

Rule of thumb: If you can smell it, then consider it unsafe for your bird

• Nicotine

• Inhalants

• Avocados

• Plants

Bird feather facts

• Made of keratin (like nails)

• Waterproof covering

• Replaced by molting 1-2 times/year

• Feather clipping

  • Flight feathers only

  • Painless (shouldn't be near the skin, just the edges)

  • Can still take flight for short distances

  • After molt clipped feathers are replaced

Where should you adopt a bird from?

A reputable breeder

What’s different about cat’s eyes?

• Tapetum- reflective layer in the back of the eye

• 6x the night vision of a human

Cat ancestor name

Proailurus

Cat goddess name

Bastet

What happened on the cat island?

• Cyprus island

• cats were fed by humans, became domesticated