Page 121 - Zoo Animal Learning and Training

Chapter 6 Introduction to Animals 105

(a) (b)

FIGURE 6.16 Fancy mice: (a) angora and (b) agouti. Source: Wikimedia Commons. Used under CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/
wiki/File:Agouti_Mice.jpg, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Fancy_angora_lab_mice.jpg.

and to keep them happy at least 2–3 inches of substrate Guinea Pigs
must be provided in their cages. Gerbils can have a
condition that is epilepsy‐like. If suddenly startled they Guinea pigs are larger than other pocket pets and are
can go into a seizure‐like episode. Usually, it passes very gregarious (Figure 6.19). They chirp and holler at
with time and the gerbil is fine; however, occasionally their people when it is time for food, or you’ve arrived
the seizure lasts for a long period of time at which home from work. They are crepuscular in nature,
point you may see them arrive at the clinic. Putting meaning their awake times are dawn and dusk. A unique
them in a semi‐darkened room with no noise until they trait is that they will grow to fit their enclosure – the big-
can be seen is how to handle this urgent visit. Gerbils ger the cage the bigger the guinea pig! There are three
are also amazing jumpers and if they should leap from scenarios for which you may see them in the veterinary
a hand and land on the floor a broken leg is not hospital. One is rickets. This is a disease caused by a lack
unheard of, they do well with splints and so you may of vitamin C. They do not synthesize it from their food
also see them in the clinic for this urgent care visit and so need to have daily supplements. Without they will
(Figure 6.17). Gerbils can also “slip” their tail. It is a present with swollen sore joints and lameness. The sec-
survival mechanism so if a person grabs for a gerbil but ond is if they are going to be bred it is important to do it
only gets the tail, the skin will come off the vertebrae. just as they mature at about 2–3 months of age. Otherwise,
These need to be snipped off so they don’t catch on the female’s pubic bones fuse often causing dystocia.
items inside the cage. The gerbil will be fine, just a lit- The third issue is constipation from pine chip bedding.
tle short in the tail department. They eat the bedding and it blocks their intestinal tract.
Use recycled newspaper or other types of bedding to
avoid this issue. Guinea pigs have been manipulated by
Hamsters humans and the American Rabbit Breeders Association

Hamsters tend to be healthy little critters (Figure 6.18). recognizes 13 breeds of cavy! The English guinea pig is
They are prone to a gastrointestinal disturbance called the natural occurring one; others that are seen com-
proliferative ileitis or wet tail. The causative agent is monly are the Peruvian with its 6 inch long hair, the
the bacteria Lawsonia intracellularis which is spread by Abyssinian with its “rosettes” or “cow licks,” the Silkie
contaminated food and water. Contributing factors with long thick hair, the Texel with wavy medium-length
include weaning, transportation, overcrowding, and hair, and the Teddy with fluffy soft short hair.
rapid dietary changes. Some varieties of hamster seem
more susceptible than others, with the Teddy Bear Chinchillas
hamster being one of the most susceptible. These ani-
mals need to be treated within 24–72 hours of seeing Chinchillas were originally raised for the soft fur market
the clinical signs of a wet hind end and tail. The but make entertaining pets (Figure 6.20). They are healthy
golden hamster is the one found in nature; humans animals if fed and housed properly. They must have a daily
have developed several different varieties including dust bath to keep their fur clean and tidy. Otherwise they
miniatures. will lose hair in clumps and it may look as if they have a