Hamsters (Laboratory) - Pathology
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Introduction
Hamsters are now commonly used in laboratory testing, but for many years other species including mice, rats and guinea pigs were used for studies requiring small easily managed animals. In 1919 the first study using hamsters was undertaken assessing the susceptibility of Chinese hamsters to leishmania. A number of difficulties were encountered including an inability to breed the animals and hamsters were not used again until the 1930s. Syrian hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus)were used and were found to be easier to breed and had more desirable traits for laboratory testing than Chinese hamsters. Syrian hamsters have gone on to become the most commonly encountered laboratory hamster species with around 500,000 per year currently used in the US. However, approximately ten times more mice and rats are used compared to hamsters.
Strains and Stocks
Physiology
Please find details of hamster physiology within the WikiNormals section. Physiological information available includes “General”, “Biochemical”, “Haematological” and “Breed” parameters.
Anatomy and Histology
This section has been included to allow familiarisation with the peculiarities of hamster anatomy to provide a context for some of the disease and pathological headings found below. Therefore only anatomical areas with specific features warranting emphasis have been included below;
Reproductive System
Urinary System
Respiratory System
Digestive System
Diseases
For ease of use, the diseases of hamsters listed below are by body system, or where this is not appropriate in an “Other” category displayed after the body system sections. Those diseases listed below are not exhaustive but rather highlight common diseases encountered with laboratory hamsters.
Integument System
Dermatitis
Dermatophytosis (Ringworm)
Mange
Lice
Other Mite Infestations
Fly Strike
Alopecia
Liver Disease
Abscesses
Reproductive System
Pseudopregnancy
Pregnancy toxaemia
Hypocalcemia (Eclampsia)
Miscarriage and Abortion
Toxoplasmosis
Mastitis
Preputial infections
Urinary System
Polydipsia
Polyuria
Haematuria
Acute Renal Failure
Chronic Renal Failure
Diabetes
Respiratory System
Epistaxis
Digestive System
Cytomegalovirus (Salivary Gland Virus)
Infectious Causes of Diarrhoea
Salmonella
Salmonella typhimurium and Salmonella enteriditis are the common causative agents and are often associated with contaminated food and bedding. Diarrhoea may be haemorrhagic, cause septicaemia and can also cause sudden death.
Parasitic Causes of Diarrhoea
Nematodes