9.3 Exotic Companion Mammals: Part 2

Overview

Exotic companion mammals are a popular pet, and you can expect to see them in regular clinics quite often. Common exotic companion mammals that are considered “bigger” than the Part 1 small exotic mammals. These include ferrets, rabbits, and hedgehogs. Many small animals seen in the clinic have health problems associated with inadequate husbandry and/or lack of proper care.

Part 2

Ferrets

Ferrets have long, lean, and muscular bodies. They have highly developed hearing, smell, and touch, but lack well-developed vision. Due to their vision, they are considered ground dwellers; they spend most of their time on the floor and do not climb. They do not sweat and will move around and change body position to dissipate heat. Ferrets are known to sleep long periods of the day, but when they are awake they are playful and busy. Both sexes develop a musky odour at maturity. For more information on the care of ferrets, see ferret care.

Rabbits

There are many breeds of domesticated rabbits, and this species has become a popular pet. Rabbits have long ears for hearing and thermoregulation. They have whiskers for sensing their environment. Rabbits, like most species, need adequate enrichment and stimulation to maintain a healthy lifestyle and to avoid unwanted behaviours. Rabbits have a light and muscular body with strong back legs. Proper restraint is required to ensure they don’t kick, as they can fracture their back from the power of their kick. They are coprophagic and like to chew. For more information on the care of rabbits, see basic rabbit care.

Fun Fact

Rabbits are monogastric like humans (Molnar & Gair, 2015). See the link for more information on the digestive system.

 

Hedgehogs

Hedgehogs are a less common small mammal pet, but many find their spiny coat appealing. These spines are modified hairs made of keratin that covers their back area; these spines are used for defence. Hedgehogs are nocturnal and solitary. For more information, see hedgehog care.

Husbandry of Small Mammals

Much like pocket pets, small mammals are housed in cages and custom-made enclosures with enough room to roam, hide, sleep, exercise, eat and drink, and deposit waste. Ferrets are the exception, as they don’t need much room to climb and sleep most of the day. Wire floors are not recommended for small mammals, as their feet can get caught in the wire. Small mammals require enrichment for their health and well-being.

• Small mammals and some pocket pets can be trained to use litter boxes. For more information, see litter box training.

• All small mammals require regular nail trimming.
• Ferrets enjoy lots of room to roam and multilevel enclosures. They can get into very small spaces, and owners should be warned of this risk of allowing them to roam free.
• Ferrets are known to bite, and proper enrichment and entertainment is recommended.
• Rabbits can be housed outside with proper warmth and shelters.

Small Mammal Nutrition

Commercial diets are available for small mammals. All small animals require a balanced diet and access to fresh water.

• Ferrets are carnivores and should be fed a diet that is high in protein and fat. Ferrets can eat dry kitten food, meat-based baby food, and small amounts of cooked meat scraps.
• Rabbits need high quality timothy or grass hay to be available all the time, and leafy green vegetables daily. See rabbit nutrition for more information.
• Hedgehogs can eat earthworms, mealworms, waxworms, crickets, and vegetables.

Vaccination and Parasite Control

• Ferrets should be vaccinated against canine distemper and rabies viruses.
• Ferrets housed outside can be at risk for heartworm and can use an approved heartworm preventative.
• There are vaccinations available to rabbits, although they are not common in Canada. Specific vaccinations should be discussed with a veterinarian.
• There are no vaccination recommendations for hedgehogs.
• Internal parasites are not as common, but can be treated as needed. Small mammals can contract ear mites.
• External parasites, like mites, can be a risk and should be treated as needed.

Small Mammal Pathologies and Procedures

General:

• Spaying and neutering is done in rabbits and ferrets. Female ferrets can have health problems if they do not come out of heat or breed
• Ear mites
• Trauma from mishandling
• Malnutrition
• Urolithiasis. For more, see urolithiasis in ferrets, rabbits and rodents

Ferret:

• Canine distemper and human influenza
• Adrenal disease
• Insulinoma: A tumour of the pancreatic beta cells that is seen in middle-aged to older ferrets
• Abscesses

Rabbit:

• Oral disease: For more information, see rabbit and rodent dental disease
• Snuffles: Upper respiratory infection
• Gastrointestinal problems: Bloat, obstructions, slow movement of ingesta due to improper feed
• Rabbit hemorrhagic disease: Liver disease. For more information, see rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus

References

Burns, K. (2022, February 23). Rabbit nutrition and critical care feeding. LafeberVet. https://lafeber.com/vet/rabbit-nutrition-and-critical-care-feeding/

Keller, K. (2021, March 22). Rabbit and large herbivorous rodent dental disease. LafeberVet. https://lafeber.com/vet/rabbit-and-large-herbivorous-rodent-dental-disease/

Molnar, C., & Gair, J. (2015) Concepts of biology – 1st Canadian edition. BCcampus. https://opentextbc.ca/biology/

Pollock, C. (2009, October 5). Urolithiasis in ferrets, rabbits and rodents. LafeberVet. https://lafeber.com/vet/urolithiasis-in-ferrets-rabbits-and-rodents/

Pollock, C. (2014, February 19). Hedgehogs. LafeberVet. https://lafeber.com/vet/wp-content/uploads/Hedgehogs-2013.pdf

Pollock, C. (2014, February 19). Litter training the house rabbit. LafeberVet. https://lafeber.com/vet/litter-training-the-house-rabbit/

Pollock, C. (2016, May 26). Basic rabbit care handout and infographic. LafeberVet. https://lafeber.com/vet/wp-content/uploads/Basic-Rabbit-Care-2017.pdf

Pollock, C. (2020, August 5). Care of the pet ferret. LafeberVet. https://lafeber.com/vet/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Care-of-the-Ferret-2020.pdf

Image Credits (images are listed in order of appearance)

Ferret mammal mustelid by ambquinn, Pixabay Content Licence.

Cute baby bunny by strengthinnumbers, Pixabay Content Licence.

[Human and rabbit digestive tract] by Molnar, C., & Gair, J., CC BY 4.0.

Hedgehog cute animal by amayaeguizabal, Pixabay Content Licence.