Small mammal virology

Abstract

Most viral infections in small mammals are transient and rarely produce clinical signs. When clinical signs do appear, they are often of a multifactorial etiology such as respiratory infection with Sendai virus and the bacteria M. pulmonis in rodents. Diagnosis is generally made based on clinical signs, while therapy involves treatment for concurrent bacterial infections and supportive care. Small mammals may carry zoonotic viruses such as LCMV, but natural infections are uncommon. Viral diseases are rare (or largely unknown) for hedgehogs, chinchillas, and prairie dogs, while no known naturally occurring, clinically relevant viral diseases exist for gerbils and sugar gliders. This article is intended to aid the clinician in identifying viral infections in small mammals and to help determine the significance each virus has during clinical disease.

Fig. 1

Photograph of (A) a healthy mouse demonstrating normal groomed haircoat and (B) a mouse exhibiting signs of “sick mouse syndrome,” including rough hair coat and hunched posture.

Fig. 2

Photograph of mouse infected with mouse hepatitis virus demonstrating multifocal hepatic necrosis and flaccid, fluid-content filled intestines.

Fig. 3

Photograph of adult hamster infected with hamster polyomavirus demonstrating multiple trichoepitheliomas. (Courtesy of Dr. Joe Simmons, DVM, PhD, West Point, Pennsylvania).