Gastrointestinal Disease in Exotic Small Mammals

Abstract

Exotic small mammal medicine is a relatively new specialty area within veterinary medicine. Ferrets, rabbits, and rodents have long been used as animal models in human medical research investigations, resulting in a body of basic anatomic and physiologic information that can be used by veterinarians treating these species. Unfortunately, there is a paucity of veterinary articles that describe clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment options of gastrointestinal (GI) disease as it affects exotic small mammals. Although there is little reference material relating to exotic small mammal GI disease, patients are commonly presented to veterinary hospitals with digestive tract disorders. This article provides the latest information available for GI disease in ferrets (Helicobacter mustelae gastritis, inflammatory bowel disease [IBD], GI lymphoma, systemic coronavirus, coccidiosis, and liver disease), rabbits (GI motility disorders, liver lobe torsion, astrovirus, and coccidiosis), guinea pigs (gastric dilatation volvulus [GDV]), rats (Taenia taeniaeformis), and hamsters (Clostridium difficile). Both noninfectious diseases and emerging infectious diseases are reviewed as well as the most up-to-date diagnostics and treatment options.

Magendrehung (Dilatatio et Torsio ventriculi) beim Meerschweinchen (Cavia porcellus)

“…Im Vordergrund steht zunächst die Stabilisierung der Patienten. Als unterstützende Therapie sollten eine intravenöse oder intraossäre Infusionstherapie und eine Analgesie erfolgen [12] [23]. Auf die Gabe motilitätsfördernder Präparate sollte bei Verdacht einer Torsion verzichtet werden [18].…”

“…Weitere therapeutische Optionen bei Patienten, deren Allgemeinbefinden eine orale Medikamentengabe ermöglicht, umfassen die Verabreichung von Laxanzien, Carminativa oder Schleimhautprotektiva [20]. Bei extremer Aufgasung des Magens kann als erste Notfallmaßnahme eine Dekompression durch perkutane Punktion oder Schieben einer Schlundsonde erfolgen [12][18] [20]. Das Risiko dieser Maßnahme liegt nach Angaben im Schrifttum in der dadurch bedingten Stresssituation, in der möglichen Magenruptur, dem Austritt von Mageninhalt in die Bauchhöhle mit Entwicklung einer Peritonitis [16] [20].…”

Flexible Gastrointestinal Endoscopy in Ferrets (Mustela putorius furo)

“…27 Pet ferrets may present for vomiting caused by gastric foreign body or Helicobacter mustelae chronic infection. 28,29 Less common causes include gastrointestinal neoplasia, toxin ingestion, and azotemia. Initial treatment includes administration of antiemetic drugs to prevent reflux esophagitis and force-feeding, because most animals are anorectic.…”

“…[39][40][41][42] Surprisingly, very few descriptions of gastroscopy in pet ferrets have been reported. 6,17,29 …”

Adrenomedullin regulates intestinal physiology and pathophysiology

“…Gastrointestinal diseases are commonly diagnosed in all kinds of domestic and farm animals, including exotic pet mammals [2], dogs [3,4], cats [4,5], or horses [6], among others. Many of them are idiopathic, chronic, relapsing disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, such as the inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) [7].…”