Class notes

An Overview of How to Care for Small Mammals

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Course
Wildlife & Exotic Animals (ANIM2202)

Institution
Durham College ( )

A detailed overview of how to provide appropriate care for small mammals including: ferrets, rabbits, hedgehogs, guinea pigs, and chinchillas. Includes terminology and definitions, determining the sex of the animals, housing requirements, common health issues, and restraint information.

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Uploaded on June 30, 2022
Number of pages 5
Written in 2018/2019
Type Class notes
Professor(s) Keri semenko
Contains Small mammals

animal care
animal husbandry
small mammals
mammals
pet care
pets
chinchilla
guinea pig
ferret
rabbit
housing
health care
requirements
common issues
determining sex

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Small Exotic Mammals

Proper Handling
Proper Restraint: reduces stress to the animal and the handler

Active Restraint: Physically restraining the animal by scruffing, harness use of towels to wrap

Passive Restraint: Redirecting the animal towards something, such as a treat

Small Mammals- Terminology

Precocial: eyes open at birth

Altricial: eyes closed at birth

Coprophagic: eats feces as a source of nutrients

Substrate: bedding material for caged/captive animals

Insectivores: animals that feed mainly on insects

Ferrets
 Member of the weasel family (rodents)
 Scent glands have a strong, musky odour
 Nocturnal
 Highly trainable; can be litter trained
 Very quick and agile, beware of bites- Especially if not used to handling; Carnivore dentistry!
 Need high protein diet
 Restraint: secure head and forelegs by scruffing neck, support rest of body with other hand
 Very social- ideally house in small groups

 Hob- Male
 Jill- Female
 Kit- Young
 Kindling- Giving birth to ferrets
 Business- Group

Determining sex:
 Feel along belly for protrusion- Penis is almost a bump
 Anogenital distance- Vulva and anus are close together, penis is further

Housing:
 Chew on everything! Do not use toxic materials
 Commercial cages for ferrets are good:
 Generally coated-wire top with pan base
 Shallow litter pan in corner
 Hanging water bottle
 Multi-level with lots of space for movement
 Very good at escaping- Must be secure cage
 Ferrets really enjoy hammocks- Good enrichment

, Small Exotic Mammals

Common health issues
 Diarrhea- Symptom of illness or issues; can cause dehydration and weight loss
 Intestinal foreign bodies
 Parasites- Coccidia, Giardia
 Heart disease
 Various kinds of tumours
o Insulinoma- Pancreas
o Adrenal Gland
 Canine Distemper- Require same preventative care as dogs
 Heartworm- Require same preventative care as dogs

Rabbits
 Rabbits have a very difficult time regurgitating and vomiting- Very bad sign
 Can be gentle pets, but must be socialised
 Vocalise with screams and growls when upset
 Protect themselves by kicking and biting
 Trainable; can be litter trained
 Rabbits will chew anything
 Herbivores (primarily hay/grass diet)- Need about 18% fibre
 Restraint: Secure hind legs and press back against your body; set down gently

 Buck- Male
 Doe- Female
 Kit- Young (blind, deaf)
 Kindling- Giving birth to rabbits
 Herd- Group

Determining Sex:
 No difference in anogenital distance between sexes
 Look for shape of penis or vulva
o Round protrusion; male
o Y-shaped slit; female
Housing:
 Need solid floor- Prevent pododermatitis
 Roof or high walls to prevent jumping escape
 Enrichment is just as important as with less docile animals!
o Can enter agility training!

Common health issues:
 Pasteurella- Upper respiratory infection caused by Pasteurella bacteria (often called the
snuffles); Swollen, red eyes
 Parasites- All mammals should receive fecal check yearly to check for parasites
 Overgrown Incisors- must be provided with things to chew on
 Uterine Problems- Female, unspayed rabbits are prone to uterine cancer
 Pododermatitis- Ulcers and abscesses on back ankles (often called sore hocks); caused by living
on inappropriate surface

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