Warm Fuzzies: An Overview of the Care of "Pocket Pets"
Teresa Shisk-Saling LVT
We live in a very mobile world. People still feel the need for companionship that can only be
filled by a pet. Sometimes traditional pets (dogs & cats) may not be practical. In these cases more
and more people are turning to non-traditional mammals as pets. As vet clinics and hospitals are
seeing these pets, there is need for veterinary technicians and staff to be knowledgeable about care
and handling of these creatures.
Rabbits: Housing for rabbits should be easy to clean and roomy. They should have a hide box as
well as a platform to give them a break from a wire floor. The platform also gives rabbits a place to
collect Cecotropes, also called 'night feces' or 'soft feces'. These are the materials resulting from the
fermentation of food in a part of the digestive system called the 'cecum.' Cecotropes are nutrientrich and are passed out of the body, like feces, but are reingested by the animal so the nutrients can
be absorbed. Cecotropes have twice the protein, and half of the fiber of the typical hard fecal pellet.
They also contain high levels of vitamin K and the B vitamins. A convenient way to give them water
is with a “sipper” type bottle. These need to be cleaned on a regular basis to keep the sipper part
from plugging up.
Rabbits HAVE to eat. . . . If they have an issue and are not eating, they must be hand/force fed until
eating on their own. Diet for rabbits should be High Fiber, Moderate Protein, Low Fat and Low
Calcium. They need LOTS of hay, just a small amount of pellets. Avoid alfalfa hay and pellets.
Restraint of Docile Rabbits: Place hand under thorax, encircle fore legs with fingers. Use other hand
to hold hind legs and support back
Aggressive Rabbits: Scruff with one hand, Support hind legs with other.
Moving from place to place: Rabbit must be held close to handler’s chest.
Common blood collection sites on rabbits include Jugular vein, Lateral Saphenous and Cephalic
vein. You really want to try to avoid ears. Pressure from bandages and wraps can cause pressure
necrosis and ear loss.
Common problems seen in rabbits include Ear Mites, Malocclusion, Snuffles (Pasteurella
multocida), Hairballs and Dysbiosis
Ferrets: A ferrets cage needs to large enough to allow ample roaming space as well as hammocks,
shelves, food bowl, litter box, water bottle etc. It’s important to ensure the door is kept securely
closed. Also, do not utilize wire shelves, ladders or floorings and under no circumstance should they
ever be housed in a glass aquarium or exposed to cedar shavings.
These animals are obligate carnivores (strict meat eaters) anything containing fruits, vegetables or
moderate-high level of corn should be avoided at all costs. No fruits or vegetables.
If corn appears on the ingredients list it should be no higher than the 4th or 5th ingredient. The first
two ingredients should be meat-based. It’s better if three of the first five contain meat. Bottom line,
these creatures require high protein (min 36%), moderate fat (18 - 40%), low fiber (approx. max
3% - no cecum to process it) and .low carbohydrates (average is 34%, but the lower the better - it is
believed a high count contributes to insulinoma).
Handling and Restraint: Ferrets vary greatly in temperament. Although some animals may be nonaggressive, others may be aggressive. Ferrets should be initially grasped around the neck and
shoulders. The handler should hold the ferret with one hand under the shoulders with a thumb
under the jaw and the other hand supporting the animal's hindquarters.
Blood Collection: The jugular vein is the most common venipuncture site in the ferret. The total
volume of blood that can be safely collected typically ranges from 0.5% to 1.0% of body weight.
Venipuncture of the cranial vena cava is generally the quickest way to collect the largest amount of
blood from the ferret. The lateral saphenous vein is generally used to collect small volumes of blood
for blood glucose testing, packed cell volume measurement, or complete blood count. The cephalic
vein is usually quite prominent in the ferret, and it is relatively easy to cannulate, however consider
reserving this vessel for intravenous catheter placement whenever possible.
Common Problems: Adrenal Gland Tumor (Hair loss, Weigh loss & itching for no reason)
Surgical removal is best
Insulinoma (Weak, “Fainting”) surgical removal an option, but likely return.
Drug therapy useful, but can be expensive
Hairballs & Foreign Bodies Hairballs easily treated as you would a cat (brushing & Laxatone)
Foreign body’s common esp. in young animals. These are usually surgically removed.
Hedge Hogs: Housing for these creatures need to have a solid bottom with deep, soft bedding. They
need a temperature range 75 to 85 degrees. The caging needs to be escape proof and include a hide
box, something to climb on and a non-wire wheel. Also, avoid aromatic shavings.
Hedge Hogs are Omnivores. They need a high protein diet, made up of high quality prey items, and
make sure the total diet (AND snacks) are low fat. These guys are nocturnal, so be sure to feed at
night.
Restraint can be an adventure. If tame, they may unroll if gently “rocked”. You may be able to
“scruff” once unrolled. Usually General Anesthesia is needed.
Blood Collection: Jugular vein, Cranial Vena Cava for large amounts. Femoral/Lateral Saphenous or
Cephalic Vein can be used for small amounts. May have to be done under anesthesia.
Common problems: Periodontal Disease. Mites, Neoplasia and problems caused by inappropriate
environment.
Guinea Pigs: Housing should be a MINIMUM space of 12” X 24” X 12”. Guinea Pigs can’t jump or
climb, so an open top cage is OK. There needs to be a solid floor and dust-free bedding. Avoid
aromatic shavings.
These piggies are Herbivores. There are a number of commercial foods available. You want to avoid
food with seeds. Hay, such as Timothy hay, should be available all the time.
A unique aspect of Guinea Pigs is their need for Vitamin C daily. They need 10mg/kg. . . . Daily. It’s
not that hard to fill that need. . . . In different (even surprising) ways.
- 100g of an Orange 53mg
- 100g of Orange with peel 71mg
- 100g of Parsley 133mg
Restraint of piggies is fairly easy. Most are very docile and only need minimum restraint.
Something as simple as a hand on their rump will keep them in line.
Blood collection can be an adventure. The Jugular is useable, but VERY stressful (fore legs down
over table edge, head up). The Lateral Saphenous and Cephalic are most accessible, but multiple
draws may be necessary.
Common problems for Guinea Pigs include Scurvy, Bumblefoot, Dystocia and Malocclusion.
Sugar Gliders: Tree dwelling creatures. . . Housing should be as tall as possible. Minimum size 24”
X 24” X 48”. A small mesh wire works best. A Must is a tamper-proof door lock.
A big misconception concerning this species is Diet. These are Insectivores/carnivores
One dietary recommendation is:
- 50% commercial insectivore diet
- 20-25% chopped produce
- 5-10% hardboiled egg yolk or insects
They Can NOT live on fruit alone!!
To restrain a sugar glider, hold the head between thumb and middle finger, Rest index finger on top
of head. The body lies in palm of your hand.
Blood Collection: General Anesthesia is best. Sites include Jugular, Cranial vena cava and Medial
tibial artery. Volume wise, about 1% body weight can be drawn.
Commonly seen issues include Nutritional Osteodystrophy and Self-mutilation.
Rats & Mice: Caging needs to be easy to clean and able to hold deep bedding. Another “must” is a
large door for easy access and that you can get a wheel through. Also needed is a heavy food bowl
and a sipper bottle for water. You want to avoid aromatic shavings.
Rats & Mice will eat just about anything. Seed based diets are fairly common. These diets are high
fat and low calcium. The most uniform and complete diet is Rodent Block.
- 16% protein
- 4-5% fat
Treats should be high protein/low fat
Restraint: Be gentle but firm and decisive.
Mice: Grab base of tail, use forefinger & thumb to pin head down. Using same finger, scruff. Hold
tail with little finger of same hand.
Rats: Gently grab over neck & shoulders. Place fore finger just below mandible on one
side of head, place thumb on other side above or below front legs. Hold tail and hind legs with other
hand.
Blood Collection: The two most commonly used sites are Lateral tail vein and Ventral tail artery.
You want to take no more than 10% of blood volume. In mice the total volume ~ 70-80ml/kg
In rats, total volume ~ 50-65ml/kg
Common issues in pet rodents include Barbering, mites, skin swellings and respiratory disease.
This is just the most basic of information. It is a start. Knowing where to find the information you
need to help educate and guide owners is the biggest battle. It will be your job to give owners the
help and direction to have happy healthy pets.