References
Stress in the veterinary surgery: small mammals
Abstract
The term ‘small mammals’ encompasses a wide range of species. Each has its own environmental, nutritional and social grouping needs. They also have species-specific activity rhythms, behaviours and communication signals. Many veterinary professionals have limited knowledge of these small, and usually prey, species. This may mean they do not take adequate practical steps to help reduce stress, and thus facilitate recovery, when these animals come to the surgery. Further, there are various long-held, if inaccurate, common beliefs about the needs, lifespans and availability of veterinary care for these small animals. These inaccurate perceptions mean many owners do not know how to reduce stress at home or recognise when the animal is showing signs of stress, ill-health or pain. It is the author's aim to help the reader rectify this through a brief exploration of four aspects of these animals: size, sight, sound and scent, and how these relate to sources of stress.
The term ‘small mammals’ encompasses a wide range of species. Each has its own environmental, nutritional and social grouping needs. They also have species-specific activity rhythms, behaviours and communication signals. Given this, and word limitations, this paper only provides a limited introduction to a few general considerations.
Small mammals comprise a large sector of the UK pet population, with rabbits, guinea-pigs and hamsters alone accounting for 1.7 million animals (PFMA, 2017). Species including degu, chinchilla, rats, mice, gerbils, chipmunk, racoons, meerkats, pygmy hedgehogs and ferrets are not included in this estimate. Through the auspices of laboratory and veterinary, psychology and ethology research, advances are being made in how their physical health and welfare should be provided for (Meredith and Delany, 2014; Yeates, 2017), and in knowledge of their natural behaviour and cognitive abilities (Wolff and Sherman, 2007; Wynne and Udell, 2013; McBride, 2017). Yet, the translation and transmission of this knowledge to the public is not as effective as it should be, as evidenced by the PDSA (2017) survey which found that pet rabbits are frequently neither housed nor managed appropriately (PDSA, 2017a). If this is the case for the rabbit, about which there is a wide range of easily available information, including an annual UK Rabbit Awareness Week, the situation for less publicised species is likely to be worse and potentially exacerbated as the vast majority of these individuals will never be taken to a veterinary surgery, even if they are ill or in pain.
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