Changes

==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.

==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.

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.

They are '''shy''' animals so need places to hide such as PVC pipes, plastic or cardboard boxes. '''Soft bedding''' to absorb waste and decrease pressure on feet such as recycled paper products, shredded newspaper, aspen shavings is recommended. Cedar and pine should be avoided.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Recommended diet: good quality '''grass hay''' supplemented with small amounts of chinchilla or rabbit pellets and '''fresh vegetables'''.

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.

Any changes in diet must be made gradually.

Clean, fresh drinking water should be provided in sipper bottles or heavy bowls and available at all times.

Clean, fresh drinking water should be provided in sipper bottles and available at all times.

==Hamsters==

==Hamsters==

===Housing===

===Housing===

Should be kept '''singly'''; will fight if kept in pairs/groups  

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.

Easy to clean cage recommended- lightweight easy to remove plastic bottom with sides deep enough to contain bedding, wire top, large door

'''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.

 

 

 

 

Keep in cool area of house during summer- stressed by hot and humid environments

 

12 hour light cycles  

 

===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

 

Minimum protein content of 16%, fat content 4-5%.

==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.

 

 

 

Bedding- recycled paper, compressed wheat straw, citrus litter, aspen or oak beddings, corncob; avoid pine and cedar

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.

 

Clean 2x/week

 

===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%.

 

 

Minimum protein content of 16%, fat content 4-5%

==Rats==

==Rats==

===Housing===

===Housing===

Can be '''group housed'''

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.  

 

Like to climb '''ramps and ropes'''

 

Easy to clean cage recommended- lightweight easy to remove plastic bottom with sides deep enough to contain bedding, wire tops, large door

 

 

 

Bedding- recycled paper, compressed wheat straw, citrus litter, aspen or oak beddings, 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.

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.

Clean 2x/week

The enclosure should be cleaned 2x per week. Twelve hour light cycles are recommended.

 

12 hour light cycles

===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

 

Minimum protein content of 16%, fat content 4-5%

Harder to convert to a new diet

Rats are harder to convert to a new diet.

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[[Category:Rabbit]]

[[Category:Rabbit]]

[[Category:Expert Review - Exotics]]

[[Category:Expert Review - Exotics]]