ABSTRACT
The past decade has seen an increase in the number of rodents being kept as pets and subsequently in the number of rodent owners seeking veterinary services. The common rat, (Rattus norvegicus) has become increasingly popular, particularly as novel varieties have been introduced to the pet market. The average laboratory or domestic pet rat has a life expectancy of approximately 2.5 to 3 years although 4 years and longer have been reported. As an increasing pet rat population ages, more owners are seeking veterinary consultation on various geriatric rat diseases. This article is an introduction to common rat geriatric diseases.
Subject(s)
Aging/physiology , Animal Husbandry/methods , Rats/physiology , Rodent Diseases/pathology , Aging/pathology , Animals , Animals, Domestic , Female , Male , Reproduction/physiology , Rodent Diseases/prevention & controlABSTRACT
Hematology and serum biochemistry values are reported for 33 Attwater's prairie chickens (Tympanuchus cupido attwateri) that were captive-reared at the San Antonio Zoo as part of a federal reintroduction program in Texas. Hematologic values include packed cell volume, and total and differential white blood cell counts. The biochemical values include concentrations of serum calcium, total protein, albumin, phosphorus, glucose, uric acid, and cholesterol. Mathematic computation of globulin concentration and albumin: globulin ratios were conducted. Also, determination of the serum activities of creatine kinase and aspartate aminotransferase was done.
