Professional Development Series

Transcription

1 Laboratory Animal Care and Use Program and Facilities AALAS Continuing Education & Professional Development Series ALAT Ch. 21 Rabbits ALAT Ch. 22 Cats LATG Ch. 13 Common Diseases Dan Domer, DVM 4/28/10

2 Rabbits

3 Rabbits American Fuzzy Lop American English Angora Netherland Dwarf Dutch Tan American Sable American Chinchilla Dwarf Hotot Californian Florida White Flemish Giant Lilac Silver Checkered Giant English Lop Palomino Rhinelander Satin Laboratory Cinnamon Animal Care and Use Program and Facilities

4 Rabbits Oryctolagus cuniculi Breeds New Zealand White Dutch Belted

5 Rabbits Uses in research Atherosclerosis Ophthalmology Antibody production Cancer models Infectious disease Diabetes mellitus

6 Rabbits Anatomy Ears Vascular Thermoregulation Teeth Peg teeth Hypsodont All teeth grow throughout life

7 Rabbits Anatomy Skeleton vs. muscle Broken backs Toenails Wild vs. Laboratory Feces Pellets Night feces Vitamin B, protein Coprophagy

8 Rabbits Anatomy Urine Yellow to red-brown Cloudy Intestinal bacteria Transportation stress Diet change antibiotics

9 Rabbits Reproduction Does Narrow head Large dewlap Sexing Induced ovulation Bucks Large head No dewlap

10 Rabbits Male Vent Vent Female

11 Rabbits Reproduction Mating Doe goes to buck s cage Kits sexing

12 Rabbits Reproduction Nesting Doe pulls her own fur to make a soft, warm bed for kits

13 Rabbits Restraint Watch the BACK and EARS! Scruff the nape of the neck Support the hind end

14 Rabbits Restraint Devices Restrainers Restraint bags/cat bags

15 Rabbits Behavior Active Curious Chew cage cards Posture Even weight distribution Stretch when warm

16 Rabbits Behavior Cage protection/aggression Foot stomping Rearing and charging Vocalization and urination Actions to take: Toss a towel on the rabbit» Might need a 2 nd towel Gently take the rabbit from the cage

17 Rabbits Signs of pain, distress, illness Subtle (prey animal) Anorexia Lethargy Tooth grinding Vocalizations Pale mucous membranes

18 Rabbits Husbandry F Less fur shedding Air filters Room cleaning Hairballs

19 Rabbits Husbandry Single housing

20 Rabbits Husbandry Group housing for females or juvenile males

21 Rabbits Husbandry Change pans under cages 3+/week Dried minerals urine scale" Clean racks every 1-2 weeks Monitor urine and feces Dump old feed before adding new feed Feed according to rabbits weights

22 Rabbits Husbandry Diet pelleted feed Fiber -- hay Water If they don t drink, they don t eat

23 Rabbits Enrichment! Carrots, kale, broccoli, other vegetables, fruit

24 Rabbits Enrichment! Plastic balls Metal pendants on chains Nylon chew bones Group housing

25 Rabbits Diseases Pasteurellosis Pasteurella multocida Common Some rabbits are carriers Spread by aerosol or contact

26 Rabbits Diseases Pasteurellosis Symptoms Discharge from nose & eyes Head tilt Genital infection Abscess Antibiotic success may be limited Prevention Buy from Pasteurella-free vendors

27 Rabbits Diseases Trichobezoar (hairball) Common, usually asymptomatic Cause too much grooming, not enough fiber? If causes obstruction, results in: Anorexia Depression Possible death from starvation and metabolic disturbance

28 Rabbits Diseases Trichobezoar Treatment Mineral oil Laxative Roughage (fiber) Surgery Prevention More fiber

29 Rabbits Diseases Ectoparasites Ear mites Psoroptes cuniculi Fleas Fur mites Cheyletiella parasitovorax Listrophorus gibbus

30 Questions Q: In a rabbit, what is the most common injury related to poor restraint?

31 Questions Q: In a rabbit, what is the most common injury related to poor restraint? A: A broken back (at the 6 th and d7 th lumbar vertebrae)

32 Questions Q: Which of the following is NOT associated with Pasteurellosis? A. head tilt B. nose discharge C. lameness D. genital discharge

33 Questions Q: Which of the following is NOT associated with Pasteurellosis? A: A. head tilt B. nose discharge C. lameness D. genital discharge C. lameness

34 Cats (Felis cattus)

35 Cats

36 Cats Anatomy Muscular Agile

37 Cats Anatomy Retractable claws Purring Male urine odor May persist after neutering

38 Cats Reproduction Tom Penis, scrotum Queen Vulva Polyestrous Induced ovulation Kittens Anogenital distance

39 Cats Reproduction Mating Paired Harem

40 Cats Reproduction Neuter or Spay if not breeding Decreased Spraying urine Aggressiveness Unwanted pregnancy Pyometra

41 Cats Restraint Reassurance Be slow and gentle Acclimation can help Minimal restraint can be best Depends on the procedure Assess the cat If agitated, may be best to wait

42 Cats Cat bites Long, narrow teeth + bacteria = infection The wound Clean immediately Get medical treatment immediately

43 Cats Restraint Use the scruff Lift cat while supporting hind end with other hand Gradually hold hindlimbs with thumb and middle finger, with index finger in between Hold upright, facing away

44 Cats Restraint

45 Cats Restraint Carrying Hold scruff with one hand Support cat s chest and hind end with other hand and arm Hold against your hip by using elbow Heavy gloves may be necessary for uncooperative cats Towels can help!

46 Cats Restraint Canvas or Nylon bags zippered

47 Cats Behavior Consistency is important People Surroundings Fearful cats Crouching in back of cage Ears pinned back Caution!

48 Cats Signs of pain, distress, or illness Unusually quiet Stiff posture Cry, growl, hiss Isolation from group Hunched posture Limpingi CAUTION!

49 Cats Husbandry Cages Resting board Litter pan Group housing Various resting areas Depends on personality

50 Cats Husbandry Litter pans Clean daily May need more if urinating outside pan Check the urine in or out of the box Blood? (may be infected) Is urine present? (male obstruction)

51 Cats Diet Cats are finicky Variety is good Flavor Texture Moisture content Dry (10-12% moisture) Semi-moist (20-25% moisture) Canned (70-78% moisture)

52 Cats Water Open bowls (most common) Clean daily Other options Bottle Automatic water system

53 Cats Enrichment! Platforms Shelves Ropes Climbing poles Scratching posts Toys

54 Cats Enrichment! Socialized, group-housed cats They enjoy the socialized life Individually-housed cats Should still see/hear/smell other cats

55 Cats Diseases Otitis Externa Symptoms Head shaking Scratching/rubbing Ear wax Causes Mites Bacteria Yeast Treatment Clean Medicate

56 Cats Diseases Feline respiratory complex Symptoms Sneezing Rhinitis Conjunctivitis Oral ulceration Most common causes (80-90%) Feline herpesvirus (viral rhinotracheitis) Feline calicivirus

57 Questions Q: True or False? Cats respond best when approached gradually and gently.

58 Questions Q: True or False? Cats respond best when approached gradually and gently. A: True. Gradual approach and gentle handling, especially by a familiar person, can help things go smoothly.

59 Questions Q: True or False? Cat urine output should be checked twice weekly.

60 Questions Q: True or False? Cat urine output should be checked twice weekly. A: False. It s important to check urine daily for detection of possible infection or obstruction.

61 The End