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.

Keywords: diarrhea; digestive; exotic small mammal; gastrointestinal; infectious; stasis.

FIGURE 1

Gastric endoscopy (3 mm diameter flexible scope) in an anesthetized ferret.

FIGURE 2

(A) Endoscopic view of a ferret’s pylorus. (B) Endoscopic view of the proximal duodenum in a ferret.

FIGURE 3

Eosinophilic infiltrate in the mesenteric lymph node of a ferret (40×).

FIGURE 4

(A) Biopsy of an enlarged mesenteric lymph node. (B) Pyogranulomatous infiltrate in a mesenteric lymph node (40×).

FIGURE 5

Resected gallbladder due to severe cholestasis in ferret. Note the enlarged common bile duct.

FIGURE 6

Lateral radiographic image of a gastric dilatation/volvulus in a ferret. The stomach is severely dilated, filled with air and deviated from its axis. Gaseous distentions in the distal intestine loops are also observed.

FIGURE 7

(A) Lateral radiographic image of a gastric dilatation of the stomach in a rabbit, consistent with obstruction. (B) Lateral radiographic image of cecal distention in a rabbit. Note that this finding can be related to stasis and not obstruction.

FIGURE 8

Perioperative view of a hairball removal in a rabbit. A gastrotomy is performed on the large curvature of the stomach.

FIGURE 9

Ultrasound of a cecal lymphoma in a rabbit. Note the thickening of the cecal wall.

FIGURE 10

Perioperative view of a liver lobe torsion in a rabbit. Note the brown color and the friable aspect of the caudate lobe.

FIGURE 11

Lateral radiographic image of a gastric volvulus in a guinea pig. Note the gas-filled intestinal loop cranial to the stomach; this is characteristic of a volvulus.