Extoic Animal Final: Rats & Mice, Rabbits, Guinea Pigs, Ferrets

What does the word 'rodent' mean?

It comes from the Latin word rodert, meaning 'to gnaw'

To which subfamily do both mice and rats belong?

Muridae

What does the term 'murine' refer to?

mice

What are two common species of rats?

Rattus norvegicus and Rattus rattus

What is the average lifespan of a rat?

26 to 40 months

What is the average weight of an adult male and female rat?

225-325 g

HR of a rat

313-493 bpm

RR of a rat

71-146bpm

What is the normal rectal temperature for rats?

37.7 °C

What is the recommended daily feed consumption for rats

15-20g

What is the recommended daily water consumption for rats?

22-33 mL

What is the recommended environmental temperature range for rats?

21-24 °C

At what age do female rats reach puberty?

6-8 wekes

At what age do male rats reach puberty?

40-75 days

What is the length of a rat estrus cycle?

4-5 days

What is the age for weaning in rat?

21 days

How are rat pups born at birth?

hairless, blind and deaf

When do rat pups open their eyes?

7-14 days

When do rat pups open their ears?

3-5 days

When are rats fully haired?

7-10 days

When does breeding typically occur in rats?

At night

What percentage of its body length does a rat's tail make up?

About 5%

What are the functions of a rat's tail?

an organ of balance and a mechanism for heat loss

What don't rats have except on their foot pads?

sweat glands

How many digits are on the forelimbs of a rat?

4

How many digits are on the hindlimb of a rat?

5

Which gland produces red tears (porphyrin) in rats?

Harderian gland

Why do rats make a poor model for heart studies?

Their heart tissue blood supply is more like a fish than other mammals

What may excess red tear staining in rats indicate?

Stress or illness

What type of teeth do rats have?

Hypsodontic teeth

What is brown fat also called?

Hibernation tissue

Why can't rats vomit?

Their stomach has a ridge dividing glandular and nonglandular portions

Name two areas of research for which rats are commonly used.

Dental research and behavioral studies

What is the average rat gestation period?

22 days

What is the average litter size for rats?

6-12 pups

What confirms mating in rats?

The presence of a copulatory plug

What are injection techniques for in rats?

-SQ

-IP

-IM (not recommended in rats due to small muscle mass)

-IV

-ID

Which breeding system results in higher stress and injuries?

Intensive

Are female rats housed together more likely to fight than males?

Yes

What is a group of rats called?

A mischief

What is the ideal room temperature for rats?

65-75°F

What condition can low humidity cause in rats?

Ringtail

What are rats more prone to because of noise?

audiogenic seizures

Which bedding should not be used for rats?

Cedar

What does coprophagic mean in relation to rats?

They eat their own feces

What is the shelf life of most commercial rat chow?

Approximately 6 months

How should you lift a rat?

Grasp the base of the tail near the body, never the tip

What are some identification methods for rats?

Microchip, Ear tag, Ear punch, Tattoo

Where is blood typically withdrawn from in rats?

Lateral tail veins

What is the maximum percentage of total blood volume that should be withdrawn at one time?

No more than 10%

What is the scientific name of the common laboratory mouse?

Mus musculus

What is the average lifespan of a mouse?

12-36 months

What is the length of the estrus cycle in mice?

1-5 days

What is the Whitten effect?

If a male mouse is introduced to a large group of females, it can start their estrus cycles

What is the Bruce effect?

If pregnant mice are introduced to their babies, they may go back to estrus

What time of day are mice primarily active?

Nocturnal

What is the gestation length in mice?

19-21 days

What is the average litter size in mice?

7-11

What is the weaning age in mice?

18-21 days

True or False: Female mice commonly fight with each other.

False

What is the average body weight of a male mouse?

20-40g

What is the average body weight of a female mouse?

22-63g

Average HR of a mouse

427-697bpm

Average RR of a mouse?

91-216bpm

What is the average rectal temp for a mouse?

37.1 C

What is the recommended daily feed consumption in mice?

3-5g

What is the recommended daily water consumption in mice?

5-8mL

Recommended environmental relative humidity in mice?

45-55%

What is the age mice reach puberty?

5-8 weeks

How long is a estrus cycle length in mice?

4-5 days

What is the ideal environmental temperature for mice?

65-85°F

What type of wood should not be used as bedding for mice?

Soft woods such as cedar

What disease is caused by bacteria in mice?

Murine respiratory mycoplasmosis

What causes Tyzzer's disease?

Poor sanitation

What disease may result in abscesses in the skin or uterus of mice?

Pasteurellosis

What viral disease in rats causes photophobia and chromodacryorrhea?

Sialodacryoadenitis

Can humans get rat-bite fever from rats?

Yes

Name one ectoparasite commonly found on rats.

Lice

Which tapeworm species is zoonotic?

Hymenolepis nana

What is 'ringtail' in young rats?

Young rats in low humidity start to have tails constrict

What is barbering in rats?

A form of hair loss caused by alopecia without pruritis

Why are rats poor models for most heart studies?

They have different responses to diseases

Compare intensive vs. nonintensive breeding systems.

Intensive: small space with concentrated/pellet food; Nonintensive: large amount of land with animals grazing

List three ways to prevent husbandry-related problems in laboratory rodents.

Ensure proper humidity, heat, and bedding

What order are rabbits classified in?

Lagomorpha

What dental feature led to the reclassification of rabbits?

Second pair of incisors

What is the scientific name of the domestic rabbit?

Oryctolagus cuniculus

What is the normal body weight range for an adult buck?

2-5 kg

What is the normal body weight range for an adult doe?

2-6 kg

What is the average birth weight of a kit?

30-80 grams

What is the normal rectal temperature range for rabbits?

38.5-40.0 °C

What is the normal heart rate range for rabbits?

180-250 bpm

What is the normal respiratory rate for rabbits?

30-60 breaths/min

What is the daily food consumption for rabbits?

50 g/kg

What is the daily water consumption range for rabbits?

50-150 ml/kg

At what age do male rabbits reach sexual maturity?

22-52 weeks

At what age do female rabbits reach sexual maturity?

22-52 weeks

What is the breeding life span of male rabbits?

60-72 months

What is the breeding life span of female rabbits?

24-36 months

What is the gestation length for rabbits?

30-33 days