ANS 150: Companion Animals

Cats, Dogs, Rabbits, Rodents, and Reptiles

The bones of wolves were found along with humans where?

North China and Kent, England

Where were dogs most likely domesticated?

Germany

Who were the "precursors" to the modern dogs?

Wolves and Jackals

When did distinctive breeds of dogs begin to present themselves?

3000 - 4000 years ago

What is the term for a female dog?

Bitch

What is the term for an intact male dog?

Stud

What is the term for a young dog?

Puppy

What is the term for a dog's birth process?

Whelping

What is the term for an ovariohysterectomy?

Spaying

How long is a dog's estrus?

3 - 21 days (avg 9 days)

What is the estrous cycle length for dog's?

average of 183 days (very variable)

What influences the length of a dog's estrous cycle

Breed

What is an os penis?

a small bone in the bulbus glandis (head of penis)

How is penetration achieved for dogs?

Without erection (because of the os penis)

What occurs after a dog's penis enters the vagina?

An erection occurs resulting in the "tie"

What is a "tie"?

It is when the portion of the stud's penis with the os penis engorges with blood and swells to a size so large that it is firmly locked within the vagina

What are some truths regarding canine breeding myths?

The tie is not essential for pregnancy
Ties break spontaneously
Throwing water on either dog doesn't really help

What is Pseudopregnancy?

False pregnancy; believed to be a normal abnormality left from canine ancestors

What percentage of intact bitches will show signs of pseudopregnancy at some point in their life?

50% - 75%

Who are the pre-historic ancestors of cats?

Saber-tooth tigers

Where were saber-tooth tigers located?

Europe, Asia, Africa, and North America

How old are the fossils that show today's modern cats?

12 million years old

Where were cats originally domesticated?

Egypt

Who is the wild ancestor of modern cats?

African bush cats

What are the name of ancestry records for animals?

Pedigrees

When did owners begin to keep pedigrees and the concept of cat breeds develop

the 19th century (mid 1800s)

What is the term for young cats?

Kittens

What is the term for a female cat?

Queen

What is the term for a male cat?

Tom

What is the term for a cat's birth process?

Queening

What is the term for the sound a queen makes that is associated with mating?

Calling

What type of ovulators are cats?

Induced ovulators; They will not ovulate during estrus unless they are bred by a tom

What is the length of a cat's estrous cycle?

average of 13-15 days (range from 10-22)

Why are spurs significant to a cat's breeding process?

Spurs stimulate the vagina and cervix during mating which is critical for induced ovulators

What is the name of the mechanism that Toms have on their penis?

Spurs

How does induced ovulation in cats work?

Most have nerves that run directly from the vagina and cervix to the brain. Once the vagina or the cervix is stimulated then the nerves will signal to the brain to release LH

When can ovulation in cats be induced?

In most, at any time; however cats go through periods where pregnancy is more likely to occur or not

Why were rabbits placed in their own order of Lagomorpha instead of being classified as Rodentia?

Rabbits have four upper incisor teeth instead of only two like rodents have

How long ago do fossils of rabbit-like animals date back?

30-37 million years

Who first recorded reports of rabbits?

Phoenician traders that visited Spain around 1100 BC

Who was most likely responsible for transporting rabbits around the world?

Phoenicians

Who is the domestication of rabbits credited to?

French Monks

How many breeds of rabbits are recognized by breeders?

45

What are the 5 classifications of rabbits based on size or weight?

Dwarf (miniature), small, medium, large, and giant

What is the term for a male rabbit?

Buck

What is the term for a female rabbit?

Doe

What is the term for a young rabbit?

Kit or Bunny

What is the term for a rabbit's birth process?

Kindling

Why is neutering recommended for all female rabbits kept as pets?

High incidence of uterine cancer

What is the lifespan of rabbits?

5-12 years

What age do rabbits typically undergo puberty?

5-8 months

What is the length of a rabbit's estrous cycle

Induced ovulators, no consistent estrous cycle

What is the gestation length for rabbits?

30-34 days

What is the process that allows rabbits to recycle nutrients by consuming their own feces?

coprophagy

What is considered to be the ancient ancestor of rodents

the Paramys (resembled a squirrel-like animal)

Where is the Golden Hamster native to?

Desert areas of Syria

Where are gerbils called "sand rats" native to?

dry, desert-like regions of Asia and Africa

What is the lifespan of a hamster?

2-3 years

What is the preferred temperature of hamsters?

65-79 degrees F

Are hamsters social or solitary creatures?

Solitary

What is the preferred light cycle of hamsters?

14h day / 10h dark

What age do Hamsters hit puberty?

30-40 days

How long is a hamster's estrous cycle?

4 days

What is the gestation length for hamsters?

16 days

What is the typical litter size for hamsters?

5-11

When do male hamsters become sterile?

At an age of one year

Why are the cheeks of a hamster special?

They are immunologically privileged areas

What type of consumers are hamsters?

They are Granivorous (consume seeds and grain) and Coprophagous (eat own feces)

Why don't gerbils produce much urine?

They only drink small amounts of water

What is the typical disposition of gerbils?

Very friendly in comparison to other rodents

What is the preferred temperature of Gerbils?

60.8-80.6 degrees F

What is the preferred humidity of Gerbils?

30%

What is the lifespan of Gerbils?

4-6 years

What age do Gerbils reach puberty?

6-7 weeks

What is the estrous cycle length of Gerbils?

4-6 days

What is the gestation length of Gerbils?

24-26 days

What is the typical litter size of Gerbils?

3-7 pups

What species of rats have been domesticated for pets?

The black and brown rat

Where did Black rats originate?

Southern Asia

Where did brown rats originate?

Eastern Asia and Northern China

What are the other names for brown rats?

"Norway rat" or "wharf rat"

What is the life span of rats?

2.5-3+ years

Why do rats make good pets?

Very clean and odor free
Groom regularly
Seldom bite, unless injured
Very interactive with humans

What is the head male mouse called and why are they significant?

Buck; only male allowed to mate with females

Why did California ban ferrets for a period of time?

They were an invasive species and began to harm the condor population

What is the term for a male ferret?

Hob

What is the term for a female ferret

Jill

What is the term for young ferrets?

Kits

What is the lifespan of ferrets?

5-10 years

When are ferrets sexually receptive?

April - September

When do ferrets ovulate?

Are induced ovulators

What is an infertile hybrid that Ferrets can mate with?

Minks

What type of consumer are ferrets?

True carnivores; cannot digest fiber or carbohydrates well

Why is water quality important to frogs and toads?

They have the most permeable skin

How has captivity affected the lifespan of reptiles?

It has increased it

What is an ectotherm?

animals that rely on heat from their environment (Clinical term for cold-blooded animal)

What type of environment do amphibians prefer?

Semi-tropical (>75 degrees F and 80% relative humidity)

What type of consumers are frogs/toads

Adults are strict carnivores while tadpoles are strict herbivores

Why can't frogs be administered shots?

Their permeable skin

What type of heart do lizards typically have?

3 chambered heart - 2 atria & 1 ventricle (mammals typically have 4 chambers)