Small Mammal Medicine/Surgery

Course Overview

Small mammal pets are growing in popularity in the UK and other countries, and they are increasingly seen in companion animal practice. In this course, common medical and surgical presentations seen in guinea pigs, chinchillas, rats and hamsters will be discussed. Dental disease in hystricomorphs and myomorphs, surgical approach to mammary tumours in rats and how to treat possible parasite infections are some of the topics that will be covered.  Anaesthesia can be challenging when treating such small animals, and pain management can be difficult in species that tend to hide clinical signs of illness and pain. Becoming familiar with the anaesthetic procedures, available analgesic protocols, and the species-specific needs of these pets helps to be more confident and to achieve a successful outcome.