Harkness and Wagners Biology and Medicine of Rabbits and Rodents

Harkness and Wagner′s Biology and Medicine of Rabbits and Rodents, Fifth Edition is a practical reference in small mammal husbandry and health, encompassing the fields of laboratory animal medicine and pet practice. Part of ACLAM′s series of laboratory animal books, this text offers concise but complete coverage on rabbits and the most common rodent species, with an emphasis on biology, clinical procedures, clinical signs, and diseases and conditions. By providing useful, accessible assessment and diagnostic information, Harkness and Wagner′s Biology and Medicine of Rabbits and Rodents aids the practitioner in diagnosing and treating conditions in small mammals.

Logically organized for easy reference, the book begins with general husbandry and procedures, followed by specific disease information. Harkness and Wagner′s Biology and Medicine of Rabbits and Rodents is essential reading for clinical practitioners, laboratory animal personnel, and veterinary technicians.

Key features:

Concise but complete coverage of small mammal husbandry and health Encompasses the fields of laboratory animal medicine, production medicine, and pet practice Logically organized for easy reference Provides assessment and diagnostic information to aid in quick diagnosis and treatment Includes clinical photographs and case studies Covers rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas, hamsters, gerbils, mice, and rats

Preface.

Acknowledgments.

Chapter 1. Introduction, General Husbandry, and Disease Prevention.

Introduction.

Sources of Information.

Taxonomy, History, and Behavior.

Regulatory Considerations.

Genetically Modified Mice.

Equipment Needs.

Major Concerns in Husbandry.

Factors Predisposing to Disease.

Allergies to Rabbits and Rodents.

Sources of Information.

Chapter 2. Biology and Husbandry.

The Rabbit.

The Guinea Pig.

The Chinchilla.

The Hamster.

The Gerbil.

The Mouse.

The Rat.

Chapter 3. Clinical Procedures.

Sample Collection.

Hematology, Clinical Chemistry, and Urinalysis.

Medical Imaging.

Ophthalmology.

Administration of Drugs and Formulary.

Anesthesia.

Analgesia.

Surgery.

Dental Procedures in Rabbits and Rodents.

Serologic Testing for Colony Health Surveillance.

Other Special Techniques.

Euthanasia.

Chapter 4. Clinical Signs and Differential Diagnoses.

The Rabbit.

The Guinea Pig.

The Chinchilla.

The Hamster.

The Gerbil.

The Mouse.

The Rat.

Chapter 5. Specific Diseases and Conditions.

Acariasis (Mite Infections).

Anorexia and Reduced Food Intake.

Bordetella bronchiseptica Infections.

Buphthalmia in Rabbits.

Cestodiasis (Tapeworm Infestations).

Cilia–Associated Respiratory Bacillus Infections.

Coccidiosis (Hepatic) in Rabbits.

Coccidiosis (Intestinal).

Coronavirus Infections.

Corynebacterium kutscheri Infections.

Cryptosporidiosis.

Dermatophytosis (Ringworm).

Encephalitozoonosis.

Enteropathies.

Epilepsy in Gerbils.

Gastric Stasis in Rabbits.

Hantavirus Infections.

Heat Prostration.

Helicobacter Infections.

Hematuria and Pigmented Urine.

Hypovitaminosis C (Scurvy) in Guinea Pigs.

Lawsonia Infections (Proliferative Ileitis of Hamsters).

Listeriosis.

Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus Infection.

Malocclusion and Dental Disease.

Mastitis.

Mousepox (Ectromelia Virus).

Murine Encephalomyelitis.

Murine Mycoplasmosis.

Murine Norovirus Infections.

Myiasis (Fly Strike) Primary.

Myiasis (Fly Strike) Secondary.

Myxomatosis.

Nasal Dermatitis (Sore Nose) in Gerbils.

Neoplasia.

Nephrosis.

Oxyuriasis (Pinworms).

Parvovirus Infections.

Pasteurella multocida Infections.

Pasteurella pneumotropica Infections.

Pediculosis.

Pneumocystosis.

Pododermatitis.

Pregnancy Toxemia.

Rabies Virus Infection.

Ringtail.

Rotavirus Infections.

Salmonellosis.

Sendai Virus Infections.

Spironucleosis.

Splayleg in Rabbits.

Staphylococcosis.

Streptococcus pneumoniae Infections in Rodents

Streptococcus zooepidemicus Infections in Guinea Pigs.

Transmissible Colonic Hyperplasia in Mice.

Tularemia.

Tyzzer s Disease.

Ulcerative Dermatitis (Moist Dermatitis).

Urolithiasis.

Venereal Spirochetosis (Trepanematosis).

Viral Hemorrhagic Disease in Rabbits.

Chapter 6. Case Reports.

The Rabbit.

The Guinea Pig.

The Chinchilla.

The Hamster.

The Gerbil.

The Mouse.

The Rat.

Suggested Solutions.

Rabbits.

Guinea Pigs.

Chinchillas.

Hamsters.

Gerbils.

Mice.

Rats.

Index.

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)