sugar gliders and mice and rats

What is unique about sugar gliders compared to the reproductive anatomy of the other mammals we have studied so far?

Females have 1 cervix, but 2 uterine horns & 2 vaginal canals, males have a pendulous scrotum and a bifid penis

Sugar gliders, Scientific name

Petarus Breviceps, Marsupials, originated from Australia,  New guinea, and Tasmania

What are the uses for sugar gliders?-  

pets

When are sugar gliders active?

nocturnal

Are sugar gliders housed together or alone

enjoy being with others in small colonies

What happens if they are exposed to cold temperatures?-

?- they go into torpor for 16 hour/ day

What are patagium?-

gliding membrane to help them glide through the air can glide up to 50 meters

What is unique about the hindfeet of sugar gliders

5 toes on the hind feet with digits 2 and 3 fused also have opposable thumbs on hind feet

What are baby sugar gliders called?-

joeys

 How long is the joey kept in the pouch

70-74 days

What is the reproductive tract of the female sugar glider composed of?-

they are polyestrous, they have 1 cervix but 3 uterine horns and 2 vaginal canals

What is unique about the penis of the male sugar glider

they have a large prostate pendulous scrotum and bifid penis

what is the temp RR and HR of sugar glider

HR- 200-300bpm,

RR- 16-40 breaths,

temp-96.5-97.9

Life span of sugar gliders

10-12 years

What are some cage requirements for sugar gliders

the larger the cage the better, wire cage, Max ventiliation preferred. Ideal temp 70-80 degrees

What is the ideal environment for sugar gliders?-

they require a nesting box, bedding should be hardwood shavings, recycled paper, shredded paper, and running wheels with no slats, branches, shelves and perches.

What should the diet of sugar gliders consist of

sap and gum from eucalyptus and acacia trees, nectar and pollen, manna and honeydew, insects and arachnids. Captive diet- chow ( 75% of diet) 20z of pellets per day, fruits and veggies ( 25% of diet) like 1/8th of an apple slice.

What supplements do they need

vitamin and calcium supplements

What are some techniques for sugar glider restraint

Schedule in the middle of the day when less active, place in a cotton pillow case, grasp head behind the ears, don’t scruff. You can lay them out on your hand and grasp at the base of the tail

What is needed when collecting blood from sugar gliders?-

need an anesthetic, 25-27 gauge needle, use an insulin or TB syringe.

How much blood can you safely collect from a sugar glider

1% In BW of blood safely use coccygeal, cephalic, or lateral saphenous, jugular.

Where can you give various injections in a sugar glider

IM- epaxial muscles of the neck and upper thorax or cranial thigh ( biceps Femoris), IV fluids- IO, most common in the proximal femur.

What are some components of sugar glider preventative medication

trim nails, nutrition, proper housing, proper exercise, neuter male sugar gliders

What are two nutritional based diseases sugar gliders get?-

obesity, malnutrition, nutritional osteodystrophy

What are the uses for mice

Research,  pets

Scientific name

Mus Musculus

what is there temp HR RR and life span

temp-97.5-100.4

HR- 427-697

Life span 12-36 months

what is there gestation length

19-21 days

when are mice acitve

nocturnal

What is unique about the eyes of mice?-

They have Exophthalmic eyes- tears contain porphyrins = red color. Stressed/ diseased mice often have increased tear production, which is mistaken for bleeding eyes

How do you sex a mouse

Males have open inguinal rings and testicles move back and forth, and by comparing anogenital distance, females is closer.

What are some cage requirements for mice?

no escape routes, good ventilation, optimal temp of 64- 79, water bottle must be mounted, bedding use recycled paper, wood shavings ( avoid cedar). Use wheels and tunnels in cages and nesting material.

What should mice be fed

Formulated diets of pellets or blocks no seed-based diets. Need 16% protein and 4-5% fat. 6-7 ml of water per day

What are some techniques for restraining mice?-

?- grasp at the base of the tail, then scruff and hold rest of the body in hand. There are hand-free restraints.

Most diseases in mice are result of what

nutrition or husbandry

What vessels can be used for blood collection in mice?-

- Lateral saphenous, lateral tail vein, maxillary vein, retro-orbital not recommended, cardiocentesis under anesthesia and terminal procedure.

Where can medications be given in mice?-

PO. SQ or IP injections more common due to small muscle mass. No vaccines.

What are some common diseases of mice?-

ecto and endoparasites are common and treated with ivermectin.

What diseases of mice are zoonotic?

?- Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV)= neurological signs

What are the uses of rats?-

research and pets

Rat breeds

- Uk has 5 types of fancy rats, US has 2: hooded and albino

When are rats most active?

?- They are nocturnal

What is brown fat?-

around the neck used for thermogenesis during cold

Rats temp HR and RR-

Temp- 96.6-99.5,

HR- 250-600,

RR- 66-150

How should rats be housed

?- They like to be social, but can do well by themselves.

What are some cage requirements for rats?-

Cages need to be large enough to allow for exercise, burrowing and nesting, well ventilated, escape proof. You recycled paper wood shavings for bedding ideal temp is 65-80

What should the diet of rats consist of?- 

Rodent pellets like mice and avoid seeds because of obesity and rats pick out what they like fresh fruit and vegs in small amounts

Rats temp HR and RR

temp- 96.6,

HR- 250-600,

RR- 66-150

What are some techniques for handling rats

pick up base of tail but not held there for more than a few seconds, use the claw tech

What veins can be used for blood collection in rats?-

LAT SPAH, LAT tail v, retroobtial not recommended due to risk of eye injury, cardiocentesis only under anesthesia

How can medication be administered in rats

IM quads, triceps or gluteal muscles, IP , IV, PO SQ most common

What kind of parasites can rats get?-

endo- pinworms, nematodes, Giardia, Tapeworms, ecto- demodex, tropical rat mite, rat fur mite, spined rat louse

What are some diseases of rats?

What ones are zoonotic?- ulcerative dermatitis, neoplasia- Fibroadenoma of mammary tissue OHE reduced the risk, porphyrin staining, Salmonella- zoonotic, tyzzers disease