RABBITS AND OTHER SMALL ANIMALS

Fundamentals

By Robert J. Russell and Jim A. Stunkard.

Rabbits, gerbils, hamsters, guinea pigs, mice, rats, and ferrets the subjects of this section are quite popular animals. Although they trail dogs and cats in popularity, significant and growing numbers are kept as pets. These animals are interesting and friendly, require little space, maintenance, or attention, and generally fit easily into the busy schedules of people in today's urban environment.

Because these small animals have made unique contributions to biomedical research, they have been extensively studied in the laboratory. Considerable information is available on their diseases, proper care and husbandry, reproductive performance, normal physiology, and behavior.

Husbandry advances in the laboratory also have resulted in the availability of a variety of housing systems, support equipment, etc., that can be used with individual pet animals and by people wishing to maintain small colonies of these animals. This introductory chapter briefly describes the husbandry requirements (housing, nutrition, reproduction, etc.) and disease conditions of the animals.

Health Evaluations

Make routine health evaluations and inspections of all animals at least once each day, and keep a history of individual animal or colony health and procedures. Evaluate the following factors:

Age, sex, body weight, activity (lethargic, aggressive), appetite (none, reduced, increased), skin and coat (hair loss, coat luster, scaly skin, open lesions).

Ears (erect, drooping, discharge, swelling, inflammation or redness), presence of nasal and/or eye discharge (sneezing, eyelids closed), respiration (rate, difficulty).

Mouth (odor, color, bleeding), teeth (overgrown, broken, missing), salivation (drooling wet chin or cheeks).

Abnormal enlargement or shape of body areas (neck, head, chest, abdomen), feces (diarrhea, sticky stools, mucus, tail staining, blood, parasites), limbs (abnormal limb movement, abnormal joint movement, paralysis, swelling, loss of toes, toenail length), breeding status (pregnant, bred, nursing).

Evaluate Environment

Besides examining the animal, carefully evaluate the animal's environment because many diseases and abnormal conditions directly relate to environmental factors. Monitor the following:

Sanitation, ventilation, light, temperature, relative humidity, cage population (avoid overcrowding), type of housing and state of repair.

Feed supply (source, type, cleanliness, condition of feeders, supplements, recent changes); water supply source (type of supply, treatment chlorination or acidification); condition of support equipment; and recent husbandry changes.

Be sure to provide ample food, fresh water in a clean container, and a roomy, clean home.

Feed, bedding, and water supplies can be a source of pathogenic organisms (for example, bacteria, parasites), chemicals, and/or toxins. Purchase feed and bedding from reputable dealers and manufacturers.

Certain contact beddings (wood with high oil content: for example, untreated pine and cedar) have been shown to stimulate liver microenzymes in laboratory-housed animals. However, their effect on the pet animal has not been thoroughly studied. Water also can be a source of toxic contaminants. Therefore, clean, potable water always should be available.

When problems are noted, keep a record of the clinical signs of individual animals, the numbers of dead (if any), the time of onset of the problem, the rate of spread to other animals, the number of animals exposed and affected, and the ages and sexes affected.

Accuracy and completeness of this information is extremely important and usually essential to enable the veterinarian to arrive at a rapid, accurate diagnosis.

Human Allergy

Many people have developed allergies to rabbits and rodents, particularly rats and guinea pigs. This factor must be considered before bringing these animals into your home environment. Proteins excreted in the urine, skin dander, and hair are the primary causes of human allergies.

Most affected people develop runny eyes and nose, coughing, and sneezing. Others develop itchy skin and skin lesions or the most serious of the symptoms of the condition asthma.

Good ventilation and good sanitation practices for example, frequent cage cleaning are very important. Additionally, protective clothing, including gloves and masks, may be needed. Treatment by a physician is often required, and in many cases removal of the animals from the affected person's environment becomes necessary.

Robert J. Russell is Director, Laboratory Animal Sciences Program, Program Resources Inc., Frederick, Md. Jim A. Stunkard is Director of the Bowie Animal Hospital, Bowie, Md.