Harkness and Wagner's Biology and Medicine of Rabbits and Rodents

John E. Harkness, DVM, MS, DACLAM, is Professor Emeritus of the College of Veterinary Medicine at Mississippi State University. Patricia V. Turner, BSc, MS, DVM, DVSc, DACLAM, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Pathobiology, Ontario Veterinary College, at the University of Guelph. Susan VandeWoude, DVM, DACLAM, is Professor of Comparative Medicine and Director of Laboratory Animal Resources at Colorado State University. Colette Wheler, BSc, DVM, MVetSc, is Director of the Animal Resources Centre and Adjunct Professor in the Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon.

"The stated goal of the book aims to provide an easy to use reference that adds to improving the welfare of rabbit and rodent species. That achievement is reached with this 5th edition; having added over 200 very informative photos, more pertinent case reports, expanded coverage with additional disease descriptions, and wonderful easy-to-read tables. An instant flip of the pages and the reader will connect with this texts ability to inform and teach." (The Vin Book Reviews, 25 February 2011) "My overall impression is that this is an indispensable text for practitioners in referral practice or studying towards a higher qualification, but would not be the text of choice for the average general practitioner." (Veterinary Record, 19 March 2011)The first edition of Harkness and Wagner's Biology and Medicine of Rabbits and Rodents was published in 1977. Since then, this has become a respected textbook that is commonly found on the bookshelves of people whose profession or hobby involves rodents and rabbits.... Despite the fact that it is now an extensively illustrated reference, this comprehensive text remains an affordable paperback that should be of broad interest." (JAVMA, September 2010)"This continues to be a strong introductory text for those caring for rodents and rabbits. The organization of the text facilitates the rapid development of differential diagnoses and performance of general biomethodology when caring for patients." (JAALAS, July 2010)"The fifth updated edition of Harkness and Wagner's Biology and Medicine of Rabbits and Rodents is a 'must' for any library strong in small mammal husbandry and health. From lab animal medicine and pet practice to diagnosis, case studies, and clinical assessments of rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas, and more, this reference is a key 'must' for practicing clinicians and vet students alike." (The Midwest Book Review, June 2010)

• Preface xiAcknowledgments xiiiChapter 1. Introduction, General Husbandry, and Disease Prevention 3Introduction 3Sources of Information 5Taxonomy, History, and Behavior 5Regulatory Considerations 6Genetically Modified Mice 7Equipment Needs 9Major Concerns in Husbandry 11Factors Predisposing to Disease 14Allergies to Rabbits and Rodents 17References 19Chapter 2. Biology and Husbandry 23The Rabbit 23The Guinea Pig 45The Chinchilla 58The Hamster 65The Gerbil 74The Mouse 83The Rat 95Chapter 3. Clinical Procedures 107Sample Collection 107Hematology, Clinical Chemistry, and Urinalysis 116Medical Imaging 131Ophthalmology 135Administration of Drugs and Formulary 141Anesthesia 147Analgesia 167Surgery 171Dental Procedures in Rabbits and Rodents 180Serologic Testing for Colony Health Surveillance 184Other Special Techniques 187Euthanasia 190Chapter 4. Clinical Signs and Differential Diagnoses 195The Rabbit 195The Guinea Pig 208The Chinchilla 219The Hamster 220The Gerbil 228The Mouse 231The Rat 239Chapter 5. Specific Diseases and Conditions 249Acariasis (Mite Infections) 249Anorexia and Reduced Food Intake 260Bordetella bronchiseptica Infections 262Buphthalmia in Rabbits 265Cestodiasis (Tapeworm Infestations) 266Cilia-Associated Respiratory Bacillus Infections 269Coccidiosis (Hepatic) in Rabbits 272Coccidiosis (Intestinal) 275Coronavirus Infections 277Corynebacterium kutscheri Infections 283Cryptosporidiosis 285Dermatophytosis (Ringworm) 287Encephalitozoonosis 289Enteropathies 292Epilepsy in Gerbils 305Gastric Stasis in Rabbits 306Hantavirus Infections 308Heat Prostration 310Helicobacter Infections 311Hematuria and Pigmented Urine 313Hypovitaminosis C (Scurvy) in Guinea Pigs 316Lawsonia Infections (Proliferative Ileitis of Hamsters) 319Listeriosis 321Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus Infection 322Malocclusion and Dental Disease 324Mastitis 327Mousepox (Ectromelia Virus) 327Murine Encephalomyelitis 330Murine Mycoplasmosis 331Murine Norovirus Infections 334Myiasis (Fly Strike)—Primary 335Myiasis (Fly Strike)—Secondary 337Myxomatosis 338Nasal Dermatitis (Sore Nose) in Gerbils 339Neoplasia 341Nephrosis 348Oxyuriasis (Pinworms) 350Parvovirus Infections 353Pasteurella multocida Infections 355Pasteurella pneumotropica Infections 359Pediculosis 361Pneumocystosis 363Pododermatitis 364Pregnancy Toxemia 366Rabies Virus Infection 367Ringtail 368Rotavirus Infections 369Salmonellosis 371Sendai Virus Infections 373Spironucleosis 375Splayleg in Rabbits 377Staphylococcosis 378Streptococcus pneumoniae Infections in Rodents 380Streptococcus zooepidemicus Infections in Guinea Pigs 382Transmissible Colonic Hyperplasia in Mice 383Tularemia 385Tyzzer’s Disease 386Ulcerative Dermatitis (Moist Dermatitis) 389Urolithiasis 390Venereal Spirochetosis (Treponematosis) 392Viral Hemorrhagic Disease in Rabbits 394Chapter 6. Case Reports 397The Rabbit 397The Guinea Pig 400The Chinchilla 402The Hamster 403The Gerbil 404The Mouse 405The Rat 406Suggested Solutions 407Rabbits 407Guinea Pigs 412Chinchillas 415Hamsters 416Gerbils 418Mice 419Rats 421Index 423