Lab animal Sciences - Hamsters

Rodentia, Sciurognathi

Syrian (golden hamster) and Chinese hamster.

3rd most common lab an

15 to 18 days

yes, they are also comsidered Crepuscular (active during twilight hours)

They also hibernate

Born with full set of adult teeth.

hipsodontic insicors

Tooth crowns similar to humans, susceptible to dental caries because of their ability to retain food particles in their teeth

35-40 mm long and extend to their shoulders

no presence of lymphatic drainage in pouches, makes them immunologically privelaged site.

R. lung has 5 lobes, left has one

Stomach is divided into a proximal nongladular portian and a distal glandular portion. forestomach (nonglandular) plays role in pregastric fermentation

Costrovertebral - flank or scent glands appear as dark patches on either flank. Sebaceous glands that function in marking territory.

More developed in males

Polyestrous

15 - 18 days

(weaning age at 19 - 21)

Females have 6-7 pairs of mammary glands, puberty occurs from 6-8 weeks of age, and have a 4 day estrus cycle

Born helpless, and must remain in isolation and undisturbed for at leas one week, or female may cannibalize.

Can eat solid food after 1 week, weaned around 21 days

Preferr solitude in a shoebox type cage with corncob, soft paper, or hardwood shavings.

Secure enclosure, and privide hiding places and toys within cage

Ambient temp should remain between 65-70 degrees F

Humidity should be kept around 50-60%

Commercial hamster or rat food good

Make sure fully awake or aware you are there. Scoop in hand or allow them to crawl into a can to move them.

Can also scruff them high up by their eyes, and ensure you grasp enough skin. Properly scruffed hamsters can easily be placed in the palm of your hand for procedures

Diseases susceptibble to: Diabetes mellitus, Human leprosy, Brucellosis.

Excellent subjects for carcinogenic agent testing on cheek pouches

Dental studies, gallstone studies, hypothermia testing.

Rapid reproduction make them ideal

IP,SQ, and IM (in the quadriceps or gluteal-Not done oftenn as muscle mass is very small)

IV rarely done

Most require anesthesia

Retro-orbital sinus or a toenail clip (very small toenails, so small amt of blood)

cardiocentesis if terminal procedure

Inhalants given via nose cone or injectible (most common injectable is ketamine/xylazine).

Do not fast

AKA wet tail, most common infectious disease of the hamster. Thought to be caused by Lawsonia intracellularis or campylobacter jejuni

Often only present in weanling animals

Symptoms include watery diarrhea, dehydration, anorexia, depession

Often moist/matted fur on tail and ventral abdomen is observed

Animals can die w/in 48 hours of onset of symptoms. Can treat with ABO's.