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FERRETS, RABBITS, AND RODENTS: CLINICAL MEDICINE AND SURGERY ISBN 0-7216-9377-6
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Notice
Veterinary medicine is an ever-changing field. Standard safety precautions must be followed, but as
new research and clinical experience broaden our knowledge, changes in treatment and drug
therapy may become necessary or appropriate. Readers are advised to check the most current
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I dedicate this book with love to my husband, Robert, for his patience and support, and to
my wonderful children, Zachary and Chelsea, who are the center of my world. I extend
special and heartfelt thanks to my friend and colleague, Dr. Elizabeth Hillyer, who
envisioned this project with me and was my co-editor on the first edition. I give a special
dedication to the late Dr. Si-Kwang Liu, who was a pioneer in the field of exotic animal
pathology. He never stopped teaching or learning, and he was a constant source of
encouragement and inspiration during the 20 years that I was privileged to work
with him at the Animal Medical Center.
KEQ
I dedicate this book to my associates in the Zoological Medicine Service at the College
of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, and to the 22 interns and 4 residents
we have trained since 1990. Their understanding, support, and encouragement, which
have allowed me to undertake projects such as this book, are greatly appreciated.
In addition, I wish to thank veterinary students Gretchen Cole and Christopher J.
Marion for assisting us in the preparation of this book.
Special thanks to my wife, Terry, and children, Erin and Michael, for their
support during this 21/ -year project.
2
JWC
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C O N T R I B U T O R S
Sean Aiken, DVM, MS, Diplomate ACVS Barbara J. Deeb, DVM, MS
The Animal Medical Center All Pet Veterinary Clinic
New York, New York Shoreline, Washington
Affiliate Clinical Assistant Professor
Natalie Antinoff, DVM, Diplomate ABVP Department of Comparative Medicine
Gulf Coast Avian and Exotics University of Washington
Gulf Coast Veterinary Specialists Seattle, Washington
Houston, Texas
Thomas M. Donnelly, BVSc, Diplomate ACLAM
Louise Bauck, DVM, MVSc
Member, Warren Institute
Alexandria Veterinary Clinic Ossining, New York
Alexandria, Ontario, Canada Consultant in Laboratory Animal Medicine and Exotic Pets
New York, New York
Judith A. Bell, DVM, MSc, PhD
Department of Population Medicine
Richard S. Funk, MA, DVM
Ontario Veterinary College
Department of Exotic Pets
University of Guelph
Mesa Veterinary Hospital
Guelph, Ontario, Ontario
Mesa, Arizona
R. Avery Bennett, DVM, MS, Diplomate ACVS
Darryl J. Heard, BVMS, PhD, Diplomate ACZM
Associate Professor of Surgery
Associate Professor of Zoological Medicine
Department of Small Animal Clinical Studies
Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences
School of Veterinary Medicine
College of Veterinary Medicine
University of Pennsylvania
University of Florida
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Gainesville, Florida
Craig Bihun, DVM, DVSc
Stephen J. Hernandez-Divers, BVetMed, CBiol MIBiol,
NRC Senior Veterinarian
DZooMed, MRCVS, Diplomate RCVS Zoological
National Research Council
Medicine, RCVS Recognised Specialist in Zoo and
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Wildlife Medicine
Rosie Booth, BVSc Assistant Professor of Exotic Animal, Wildlife and Zoological
Medicine
Brisbane
Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery
Queensland, Australia
College of Veterinary Medicine
Dale L. Brooks, DVM, PhD University of Georgia
School of Veterinary Medicine Athens, Georgia
University of California
Davis, California Laurie Hess, DVM, Diplomate ABVP
The Animal Medical Center
Susan A. Brown, DVM New York, New York
Midwest Bird & Exotic Animal Hospital
Westchester, Illinois Elizabeth V. Hillyer, DVM
Oldwick, New Jersey
David A. Crossley, BVetMed, MRCVS, FAVD,
Diplomate EVDC Heidi L. Hoefer, DVM, Diplomate ABVP
Unit of Oral Pathology West Hills Animal Hospital
University Dental Hospital of Manchester Huntington, West Virginia
Manchester, United Kingdom
Department of Surgery Sharon M. Huston, DVM, Diplomate ACVIM
Rutland House Referrals (Cardiology)
St. Helens, United Kingdom Staff Cardiologist
Department of Surgery Veterinary Internal Medicine and Allergy Specialists
Animal Medical Centre Referral Services New York, New York
Manchester, United Kingdom
v
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vi CONTRIBUTORS
Evelyn Ivey, DVM, Diplomate ABVP Dorcas P. O’Rourke, DVM, MS, Diplomate ACLAM
Department of Clinical Studies Associate Professor
University of Pennsylvania Department of Comparative Medicine
School of Veterinary Medicine College of Veterinary Medicine
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania University of Tennessee
Knoxville, Tennessee
Jeffrey R. Jenkins, DVM, Diplomate ABVP
Avian and Exotic Animal Hospital Jean A. Paré, DMV, DVSc, Diplomate ACZM
San Diego, California Assistant Professor
Special Species Health
Amy Kapatkin, DVM, Diplomate ACVS Department of Surgical Sciences
Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery School of Veterinary Medicine
Department of Clinical Studies University of Wisconsin
School of Veterinary Medicine Madison, Wisconsin
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Joanne Paul-Murphy, DVM, Diplomate ACZM
Assistant Professor
Andrew S. Loar, DVM, Diplomate ACVIM Department of Surgical Sciences
Consultant, Department of Pathology School of Veterinary Medicine
The Animal Medical Center University of Wisconsin
New York, New York Madison, Wisconsin
Lori Ludwig, VMD, MS, Diplomate ACVS Jean-Paul Petrie, DVM, Diplomate ACVIM
The Animal Medical Center (Cardiology)
New York, New York Staff Cardiologist
Department of Medicine
Douglas R. Mader, MS, DVM, Diplomate ABVP Bobst Hospital of the Animal Medical Center
Big Pine Key, Florida New York, New York
Mark A. Mitchell, DVM, MS, PhD Christal G. Pollock, DVM, Diplomate ABVP
Assistant Professor Clinical Assistant Professor
Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences Zoological Medicine
School of Veterinary Medicine Department of Clinical Sciences
Louisiana State University College of Veterinary Medicine
Baton Rouge, Louisiana Kansas State University
Manhattan, Kansas
James K. Morrisey, DVM, Diplomate ABVP
Chief of Companion Exotic Animal Medicine Service Karen L. Rosenthal, DVM, MS, Diplomate ABVP
Department of Clinical Sciences Clinical Assistant Professor
College of Veterinary Medicine Director of Special Species Medicine
Cornell University Matthew J. Ryan Veterinary Hospital
Ithaca, New York University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Holly S. Mullen, DVM, Diplomate ACVS
Chief of Surgery, California Veterinary Surgical Practice Joseph D. Stefanacci, VMD, Diplomate ACVR
Emergency Animal Hospital and Referral Center of San Diego Radiology Department
San Diego, California Long Island Veterinary Specialists
Plainview, New York
Michael J. Murray, DVM
Monterey, California Thomas N. Tully, Jr., DVM, MS, Diplomate ABVP
Professor
Robert D. Ness, DVM Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences
Ness Exotic Wellness Center School of Veterinary Medicine
Lisle, Illinois Louisiana State University
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Connie Orcutt, DVM, Diplomate ABVP
Angell Memorial Animal Hospital James Walberg, DVM, Diplomate ACVP
Boston, Massachusetts Consultant, Department of Pathology
The Animal Medical Center
New York, New York
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CONTRIBUTORS vii
Charles A. Weiss, DVM Alexandra van der Woerdt, DVM, MS, Diplomate
Bradley Hills Animal Hospital ACVO, ECVO
Bethesda, Maryland Staff Ophthalmologist
Associate Director, Bobst Hospital of the Animal Medical
Bruce H. Williams, DVM, Diplomate ACVP Center
Department of Telemedicine New York, New York
Armed Forces Institute of Pathology
Washington, District of Columbia
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P R E F A C E
Since the first edition of this book was published, the spe- hedgehogs. Along with the more traditional small mammals
cialty area of veterinary exotic pet practice has undergone kept as pets, these species are now commonly presented for vet-
tremendous growth. Whereas small mammal species were once erinary care.
considered novelty pets, many veterinarians have now incorpo- We have included chapters on cutting-edge topics that were
rated these species into their general small animal practices. just developing when the first edition was prepared. New chap-
Increasing numbers of veterinarians now practice exclusively ters on small mammal dentistry, cardiovascular and lympho-
with exotic pets, including small mammals, birds, and reptiles. proliferative diseases of rabbits, zoonotic diseases, endoscopy,
Many books, periodicals, and on-line sources pertaining to the and cytology and hematology provide much-needed informa-
veterinary care of these animals have become available. The tion in one source that is difficult to find elsewhere. The chap-
information in many of these sources is excellent, whereas in ters on cytology and hematology and on endoscopy include
others, it is anecdotal at best. full-color plates with detailed descriptions, clearly illustrating
Parallel to this growth and perhaps a driving force in this important topics. Other chapters in the first edition have been
change, the owners of these types of pets are no longer satisfied completely updated, many written by new authors and includ-
with simply finding a veterinarian who is willing to examine ing new and updated information.
their pet. Because of the wealth of information now available at As in the first edition, the authors reflect a broad background
the touch of a computer keyboard, owners are much more of expertise and interests. Included in the contributor list are
informed and demand a higher level of care. Many will go to practitioners, university faculty members, laboratory animal vet-
great lengths and travel long distances for access to the best that erinarians, and board-certified specialists in such diverse fields
veterinary medicine has to offer their animals. as surgery, cardiology, ophthalmology, pathology, and zoo
Just as advances in medicine and surgery have increased our animal medicine. This varied group provides a wealth of infor-
capacity to help individual animals, recent outbreaks of infec- mation and perspectives, all tremendously instructive and
tious diseases such as monkeypox and SARS have re-emphasized helpful. We hope that you will find their viewpoints and expe-
the link between these types of animals and the broader con- riences valuable.
cerns of public health. The potential of exotic and novelty pets In bringing this project together into its final form, we
to serve as carriers of diseases infectious to humans must be an thank the authors for their hard work, the editors at Elsevier
ongoing concern to veterinarians on both an individual and a for their willingness and patience in working with us, and espe-
public health level. cially, Ray Kersey for supporting us so completely and in spear-
In this second edition, we have again tried to provide a heading this second edition. It could not have happened without
concise, reader-friendly source of information about small him.
mammal species commonly kept as pets. In addition to ferrets,
rabbits, and the more common small rodents, we have expanded KATHERINE E. QUESENBERRY
the species list to include prairie dogs, sugar gliders, and African JAMES W. CARPENTER
xi
Plate I Endoscopic view ofthe horizontal ear canal and the normal Plate 2 Endoscopicviewoftheventralnasal concha(V) andthe nasal
tympanum (T)ofarabbit. (CourtesyStephenHernandez-Divers, Ithaca, New septum (N) asseen from the commonnasal meatusofarabbit. (Courtesy
York, andMichaelMurray, Monterey, California.) StephenHernandez-Divers, Ithaca, NewYork, andMichaelMurray, Monterey,
California.)
Plate 3 Typicalwide-angleview intothe oral cavityas providedbythe Plate 4 Nasal breathing in rabbits isfacilitated by the entrapmentof
rigid endoscope. Rotatingthe scope 180 degrees downward provides a the epiglottis dorsal to the soft palate. The butterfly-shaped epiglottis
view ofthe lower arcade. Closer, magnified view ofindividual teeth is (blackarrows) isclearly visible through the relatively transparentcaudal
made possible by advancing the telescope toward the tooth. (Courtesy soft palate(whitearrows). Thevascularpatterndepictedhere istypicalfor
StephenHernandez-Divers, Ithaca, NewYork, andMichaelMUlTaY, Monterey, arabbit. (CourtesyStephenHernandez-Divers, Ithaca, NewYork, andMichael
California.) Murray, Monterey, California.)
Plate9 (see also Figure 38-4) Fecalsmear(acid-faststain, X40). Numer Plate 10 Mycobacteria:lymphnodeaspiratefrom acat(Wright'sstain
ous Cryptosporidium oocystsarepresent. When Cryptosporidium causedi counterstainedwith acid-faststain, X100).Numerousnegative-staining
arrhea, the organismsare numerousand easilyidentified.These proto bacilliareobservedbothwithinmacrophages andfreeinthebackground.
zoal cysts,4to 7 urn in diameter, are approximatelythesize ofa red Counterstainingwith acoldacid-faststain (TBQuickStain,BectonDick
bloodcelland areweaklyacid-fastpositive.Theacid-faststain used here insonMicrobiologySystems)showsdistinct,acid-fast-positiveorganisms.
(TBQuickStain,BectonDickinsonMicrobiologySystems,Sparks,MD)is (Althoughnotarecognizedtechnique,counterstainingaWright's-stained
a "cold" acid-fast stainand in our experienceiseasyto use and works smearwill stainsomeofthe organisms and wasused here becauseno
well.Anacid-faststainspecificallydesignedforCryptosporidiumspeciesis unstainedspecimenswereavailable forstaining.)The morphologicfea
not necessary(I.W.,personalobservation). turesaresimilarinallspeciesofanimals. Mycobacteriaareeitherweakly
gram positive or are notreadily stainedbyGram stain because ofwaxy
material in the cellwall.Typically,when acid-fast organismsareso nu
merous, they areoften Mycobacteriumavium.
Plate II Aspirate ofacutaneousneoplasm in aferret (Wright's stain, x100).This round celltumor
containscharacteristicpurpleormetachromaticgranules inthecytoplasmcharacteristicofamastcelltu
mor.Thegranules arepurplishand notasdistinctasthoseinothermammals. Mastcelltumorsarede
scribedintheskinofferretsandtypicallydonotmetastasize.Thecharacteristicgranulescanbeleachedout
in Diff-Quikstains.Withoutthe granules, adiagnosiscannotbe madewith certainty. Granulesfrom ba
sophilscanleachout aswell;forthis reason, wedo notroutinelyuseDiff-Quikstain.
Plate 12 Rabbit peripheral blood (Wright's stain, X100).This field Plate 13 Rabbitperipheralblood(Wright'sstain, X100).Thisisarab
showsthe three commontypesofwhite bloodcellsinperipheralblood bit eosinophil.Thesecellsarerarebutdistinctfrom heterophilsinthat
(monocyte, lymphocyte, and heterophil).Therabbitheterophilisanalo theyarelarger,havelargergranulesthataremoretightlypacked,and have
goustotheneutrophilinotherspeciesand isfrequentlymistakenforan subtlydifferenttinctorial properties. Note the crenationof most ofthe
eosinophil.Monocytes havealightblue cytoplasmand areoccasionally redbloodcells.Crenatederythrocytes(echinocytes)havespiculesthatare
vacuolated. Platelets in rabbits aresmall. Note aplateletadherentto a evenlyspacedandaboutthesamesize.Echinocytesareusuallyanartifact
redbloodcelladjacenttothe monocyte. that can be associated with excess ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid
(EDTA)anticoagulantorprolongedstorage ofblood,ortheyareanon
specificfinding inavarietyofpathologicconditions.
Plate 14 Rabbitperipheral blood (Wright'sstain, X100).Thisisarabbitbasophil. Basophils aredis
tinctive cellswith purplishgranulesstipplingthe cytoplasm.They are more frequently observedthan
eosinophilsandoccurwithapproximatelythesamefrequencyinrabbitsaseosinophilsdoinotherspecies
(l.w., personalobservation).
Plate 15 Rabbitperipheral blood (Wright's stain, X100). This isa Plate 16 Guineapigperipheralblood(Wright'sstain, X100).Thisfield
plateletandfibrinclotwithtwotrappedwhitebloodcells(monocyteand showsamonocyteand aneutrophil.Neutrophilsaresometimesreferred
lymphocyte). Microscopicclotsaremorefrequentlyobservedatthetrail topseudoeosinophilsbecauseofthe distinctsmalleosinophilicgranules.
ingedgeofabloodsmearand arefrequentlyseen in peripheral blood
from rabbits (J.W., personalobservation).This area shouldbe scanned
forclotsand plateletclumps, which shouldbenotedon the differential
count. Plateletsand white bloodcellsarenotevenlydispersedinclotted
blood, which compromisesthe accuracyofthe automatedorestimated
counts.
Plate 17 Guinea pigperipheralblood(Wright'sstain, X100).Thisisaneosinophiland iseasilyrecog
nizedbyitsdistinctivelargegranules (comparewith thegranules inthenearbydegeneratingneutrophil).
