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==Introduction==
==Introduction==
Many diseases in small animal medicine concern poor husbandry, so it is vital to be well informed on the requirements of the small mammals commonly seen in practice.
Many diseases in small animal medicine concern poor husbandry, so it is vital to be well informed on the requirements of the small mammals commonly seen in practice.
==Ferrets==
==Ferrets==
===Housing===
===Housing===
Ferrets can be housed '''singly or in groups'''. The choice of indoors or outdoors depends on the climate.
:'''Indoors''' - Multi-level wire cages are useful when it is necessary to confine the animals. Floor can be either solid or wire. NO glass tanks due to poor ventilation. Wooden cages can be used but care must be taken to urine proof corners, lower 3rd of walls and floors.
:'''Outdoors''' - A portion of the cage should be shaded for protection from extreme heat or cold. The enclosure must be escape proof. Ferrets do not tolerate temps above 32°c especially with high humidity. In climates where temperature drops below -6°C, a heated shelter is necessary.
'''Slings, hammocks, shelves''' can be built into cage to add additional sleep/play areas. Dark, enclosed sleeping area can be created using towels, old shirts, cloth hats, commercial sleeping products (tubes/tents) or similar items. If the pet eats cloth, cardboard, plastic or wooden box with access hole can be used instead. At least one sleep area per ferret should be provided.
'''Slings, hammocks, shelves''' can be built into cage to add additional sleep/play areas
Dark, enclosed sleeping area using towels, old shirts, cloth hats, commercial sleeping products (tubes/tents)
If the pet eats cloth can use cardboard, plastic or wooden box with access hole
Ferrets can be '''litter box trained''' relatively easily. They back up into corners to defecate or urinate, so box sides should be high. A pelleted litter material is recommended instead of clay or clumping litter. Ferrets have a short GI transit time so litter boxes should be easily accessible.
Ferrets can be '''litter box trained''' relatively easily. They back up into corners to defecate or urinate, so box sides should be high. A pelleted litter material is recommended instead of clay or clumping litter. Ferrets have a short GI transit time so litter boxes should be easily accessible.
There should be a safe play area with a variety of objects (boxes, bags, plastic pipes)
There should be a safe play area with a variety of objects (boxes, bags, plastic pipes).
“Ferret proofing” the house - block off all holes to outside or to areas which ferrets cannot be retrieved , cover bottom of couches/chairs/mattresses with a piece of thin plywood or hardware cloth- ferrets like to burrow in soft foam rubber (destructive, foreign body), restrict access to recliners, no foam or latex rubber items (cat/dog toys, athletic shoes, rubber bands, stereo speakers, headphones, pipe insulation).
“Ferret proofing” the house: Block off all holes to outside or to areas which ferrets cannot be retrieved from, cover bottom of couches/chairs/mattresses with a piece of thin plywood or hardware cloth - ferrets like to burrow in soft foam rubber, which is not only destructive but may also result in a foreign body problem. Restrict access to recliners. No foam or latex rubber items (cat/dog toys, athletic shoes, rubber bands, stereo speakers, headphones, pipe insulation) should be within ferret's reach.
===Diet===
===Diet===
Ferrets are '''strict carnivores''' - designed to eat whole, small prey.
Ferrets are '''strict carnivores''', designed to eat whole, small prey. In nature, they would only encounter carbohydrates in prey's partially digested stomach contents. They have a short GIT, minimal gut flora, few enzymes, and so '''cannot use carbohydrates efficiently or digest fibre'''.
Diet should be high in fat, high in good-quality meat protein, with minimal carbohydrates and fibre. '''High quality kitten food''' or commercially prepared '''ferret food''' is recommended. Avoid dog or cat food. '''Supplements to dry food''' - whole prey (chicks, mice, rats), fresh raw organ or muscle meat, raw eggs, omega-3 oils, fish oils or meat fat can be added to increase fat content. Some ferrets tolerate dairy products.
Ferrets develop olfactory preferences for foods during first three months of their life and preferences set by four months of age (when they leave the nest in the wild). It is difficult to change an adult ferrets diet.
Water must always be available in sipper or heavy crock-type bowl. Ferrets like to play in the water, so the bowl should not be easy to overturn. Supplements should not be added to the ferrets’ water.
Water always available in sipper or heavy crock-type bowl. Ferrets like to play in the water, so the bowl should not be easy to overturn. Supplements should not be added to the ferrets’ water.
==Chinchillas==
==Chinchillas==
===Housing===
===Housing===
Chinchillas can be housed individually or in group housing. They are '''very active''', acrobatic animals and require a lot of space. '''Large, multilevel cages''' allow for climbing and jumping. Welded '''wire mesh''' is preferred as they often chew wooden cages. The housing should include areas for eating, sleeping, exercising and latrine. Plastic should never be given to chinchillas as this can cause impaction if ingested.
'''Very active''', acrobatic animals; require a lot of space
'''Large, multilevel cages''' allow for climbing and jumping
Welded '''wire mesh''' preferred as they often chew wooden cages.
They are '''shy''' animals so need places to hide such as PVC pipes or wooden nest boxes. '''Soft bedding''' to absorb waste and decrease pressure on feet such as recycled paper products, shredded newspaper, aspen shavings is recommended. However, cages with a wire-floor are acceptable if there are wooden ledges available. Cedar and pine should be avoided.
Chinchillas best in cool, dry environment, '''10-20°C.''' They do not tolerate dampness and are prone to heat stroke at temperatures greater than 30°C. In high heat, the housing may be cooled by using electric fans or placing plastic bottles filled with ice in the enclosure.
In their natural environment, they have 12 hour photoperiod. Full spectrum lighting might be helpful to keep them content and healthy. The housing should be cleaned thoroughly at least 2x per week. A diluted bleach solution is the preferred disinfectant.
'''Dust bath''' should be provided daily or at least several times per week. Sanitised chinchilla dust is available in pet shops. 9:1 mixture of silver sand and Fuller’s earth can also be used. Beach/playground sand is not suitable. The recommended way to provide a dust bath is by putting 2-3cm depth in a pan big enough for chinchilla to roll around in. Sand bath should be removed from cage when done to prevent faecal contamination and over bathing.
===Diet===
===Diet===
Chinchillas eat mainly '''at night'''. Their specific nutrient requirements are still unknown. '''Commercial diets''' are available, some are just a mixture of rabbit, guinea pig and rodent pellets that provide vitamin C, are lower in protein and fat, have same fibre content as rabbit diet, and the pellets are longer to make it easier for the chinchilla to hold. Accepted formula is 16-20% protein, 2-5% fat and 15-35% bulk fibre.
'''Commercial diets available''' - some are just a mixture of rabbit, guinea pig and rodent pellets that provide vitamin C, are lower in protein and fat, has same fibre content as rabbit diet, and the pellets are longer to make it easier for the chinchilla to hold
Recommended diet: good quality '''grass hay''' supplemented with small amounts of chinchilla pellets. Fresh fruit and vegetables are not recommended.
Any changes in diet must be made gradually.
Clean, fresh drinking water should be provided in sipper bottles and available at all times.
Clean, fresh drinking water at all times.
==Hamsters==
==Hamsters==
===Housing===
===Housing===
Most hamsters should be kept '''singly''' as they will fight if kept in pairs or groups. Easy to clean cage is recommended with lightweight, easy to remove plastic bottom, sides deep enough to contain bedding, wire top and large door. There should be at least one '''hide box'''. Dishes for food should be small and heavy and a water bottle checked and refilled daily.
'''Bedding'''- recycled paper, compressed wheat straw, citrus litter, aspen or oak bedding, corncob are all acceptable, avoid pine and cedar wood. The cage should be cleaned twice a week.
The cage must be kept in a cool area of the house during the summer because hamsters get stressed by hot and humid environments. Twelve hour light cycles are recommended.
===Diet===
===Diet===
'''Seeds as treats''', not sole diet
'''Seeds''' can be given as '''treats''', not as a sole diet. Formulated pellets or blocks are available. The diet should consist of minimum protein content of 16% and fat content 4-5%.
Formulated pellets or blocks
==Gerbils==
==Gerbils==
===Housing===
===Housing===
'''Territorial and best kept singly'''; cannibalism can result from keeping incompatible pairs together
Gerbils are '''territorial and best kept singly'''. Cannibalism can result from keeping incompatible pairs together.
Easy to clean cage recommended- lightweight easy to remove plastic bottom with sides deep enough to contain bedding, wire tops, large door
Easy to clean cage is recommended with lightweight easy to remove plastic bottom and sides deep enough to contain bedding, wire tops and large door. A minimum of one hide box is recommended.
Provide a '''dust bath ''' and small, heavy dishes for food. Water bottles must be checked and refilled daily. Thwelve hour light cycles are the best.
Bedding can consist of recycled paper, compressed wheat straw, citrus litter, aspen or oak bedding, corncob. Avoid pine and cedar wood. The cage should be cleaned 2x per week.
Bedding- recycled paper, compressed wheat straw, citrus litter, aspen or oak beddings, corncob; avoid pine and cedar
===Diet===
===Diet===
Seeds as treats, not sole diet
Formulated pellets or blocks are available. Seeds should only be given as treats, not as a sole diet. The recommended minimum protein content is 16% and fat content 4-5%.
==Rats==
==Rats==
===Housing===
===Housing===
Rats can and should be '''group housed'''. They like to climb '''ramps and ropes''' and use various hide boxes. The cage should be easy to clean with lightweight easy to remove plastic bottom with sides deep enough to contain bedding, wire tops and large door.
Small, heavy dishes for food and water bottles (check/refill DAILY) should be provided. Food can also be hidden in suitable objects to give them something to do.
Bedding can consist of recycled paper, compressed wheat straw, citrus litter, aspen or oak bedding, corncob. '''Pine and cedar shaving should be avoided''' as they can predispose rats to respiratory disease. They contain the volatile oil thujone. '''Thujone is a respiratory irritant and may be tumorogenic'''. Thujone can cause convulsions and cortical brain lesions if there is prolonged exposure.
The enclosure should be cleaned 2x per week. Twelve hour light cycles are recommended.
===Diet===
===Diet===
Seeds as treats, not sole diet
Seeds should only be given as treats, not as a sole diet. Formulated pellets or blocks are available. Minimum protein content of 16% and fat content 4-5% are recommended.
Formulated pellets or blocks
Rats are harder to convert to a new diet.
{{Learning
{{Learning
Mitchell, M. (2009) '''Manual of Exotic Pet Practice''' ''St. Louis: Saunders''
Mitchell, M. (2009) '''Manual of Exotic Pet Practice''' ''St. Louis: Saunders''
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[[Category:To Do - Review]]
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[[Category:Rabbit]]
[[Category:Expert Review - Exotics]]
[[Category:Ferret Diseases]]
[[Category:Rodents]]