Hamster Module

Which statement(s) is true regarding the assessment of pain or distress in hamsters? A hamster with a mild to moderately painful condition may appear and behave normally. Pain or distress in hamsters is commonly expressed by subtle changes in activity level and behavior. Hamsters displaying normal behavior can be assumed to be free of pain and distress. The principal sign of pain and distress in hamsters at rest is increased vocalization.

A hamster with a mild to moderately painful condition may appear and behave normally. Pain or distress in hamsters is commonly expressed by subtle changes in activity level and behavior.

Which of the following best describes the purpose of the federally mandated "alternatives search" in an animal protocol? An assurance by an information specialist that no alternative to the proposed animal model exists. A narrative to justify the use of the animal model based on experimental data. A search for procedures that may replace the use of animals, reduce the number of animals used, or refine the methodology to minimize animal pain or distress. A search for non-animal methods to replace the proposed use of animals.

A search for procedures that may replace the use of animals, reduce the number of animals used, or refine the methodology to minimize animal pain or distress.

Which agency oversees research using hamsters? USDA AAALAC OLAW All of the Above

All of the Above

Which occupational health and safety concerns are relevant to performing research on hamsters? Risk for developing an allergy to hamsters and for developing asthma. Risks for zoonotic diseases when working with hamsters. Risks for bite injuries when handling hamsters. All of the Above

All of the Above

Which statement is true regarding the conduct of surgery in hamsters? Nonaseptic surgical practices are acceptable when it can be shown that hamsters do not develop postsurgical infections. Nonaseptic surgical technique for survival surgery in hamsters is permitted by the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals. Applicable federal mandates require the use of aseptic surgical technique for survival surgery in hamsters. Federal mandates require identical practice standards for the conduct of aseptic surgery in hamsters and nonrodent mammals.

Applicable federal mandates require the use of aseptic surgical technique for survival surgery in hamsters.

What is NOT a breeding scheme commonly used with hamsters? Monogamous pair mating Brother-sister mating Harem mating Intermittent mating

Brother-sister mating

What is NOT a potentially zoonotic pathogen carried by hamsters? Rodentolepis nana Clostridium piliforme Giardia spp. Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCM)

Clostridium piliforme

According to the AVMA, which statement is TRUE for the use of CO2 as a euthanasia agent of hamsters? Death from CO2 can be verified by a lack of respiration (apnea). Dry ice is an acceptable source of CO2 for euthanasia. Animal density in the euthanasia chamber is not a concern. Compressed CO2 gas in cylinders is the only acceptable source of carbon dioxide.

Compressed CO2 gas in cylinders is the only acceptable source of carbon dioxide.

Which statement is true regarding care procedures for hamsters undergoing surgery? Assessment of wound healing is the only objective of post-operative monitoring. Supportive care and monitoring can be discontinued when the hamsters have recovered from anesthesia. Antibiotics should be routinely administered to avoid wound infection. During the procedure, hamsters should be monitored for depth of anesthesia, body temperature, and cardiovascular and respiratory function.

During the procedure, hamsters should be monitored for depth of anesthesia, body temperature, and cardiovascular and respiratory function.

Which statement regarding hamster housing is FALSE? Housing space requirements for hamsters are outlined in the Animal Welfare Regulations. Hamster cages must be secure, as they can flatten themselves to squeeze out narrow gaps and escape. Breeding hamsters should be housed on wire mesh flooring to prevent pups from being in contact with wet bedding. Contact bedding allows the expression of species appropriate behaviors like burrowing.

Hamster cages must be secure, as they can flatten themselves to squeeze out narrow gaps and escape.

Which statement is TRUE? Hamsterss should be gven plastic sipper tubes as they will bite metal ones and damage their incisors. Young hamsters will climb the sides of the cage to reach feed in the cage hopper. Hamsters should be fed from a suspended J-feeder. Hamsters chow can be placed on the cage floor as they are fastidious animals that will toilet in only one corner of the cage.

Hamsters chow can be placed on the cage floor as they are fastidious animals that will toilet in only one corner of the cage.

Which statement about hamster physiology is TRUE? Hamsters should be fasted before anesthesia to prevent retention of food in the cheek pouches. Hamsters have a high metabolic rate, so drug dosages must account for this rather than just the animal's weight. Hamsters that are not given sufficient environmental enrichment will engage in coprophagy. Anesthesia-induced drop in body temperature may cause hamsters to enter pseudohibernation.

Hamsters have a high metabolic rate, so drug dosages must account for this rather than just the animal's weight.

Why is fasting hamsters prior to anesthesia unnecessary? Hamsters have no risk for respiratory aspiration of stomach contents under anesthesia because they cannot vomit. Hamsters have fat stores they can use as an energy reserve. Hamsters have no gallbladder. Hamsters have a very slow rate of metabolism.

Hamsters have no risk for respiratory aspiration of stomach contents under anesthesia because they cannot vomit.

Why do hamsters require a source of warmth while undergoing anesthetic procedures? Hamsters have a low metabolic rate. The heat prevents them from vomiting after anesthesia. Hamsters lose body heat rapidly under anesthesia. This is required by USDA regulations.

Hamsters lose body heat rapidly under anesthesia.

Which statement is FALSE? Hamsters are solitary animals and may prefer to be housed separately. Hamsters prefer to eat feed pellets from a J-feeder attached to the cage. Hamsters are very active at night and spend most of their day asleep. Both male and female hamsters have scent glands.

Hamsters prefer to eat feed pellets from a J-feeder attached to the cage.

What is the only peripheral vessel accessible without anesthesia in hamsters? Abdominal aorta Jugular vein Lateral saphenous vein Retroorbital sinus

Lateral saphenous vein

Which site is least traumatic for nonterminal venipuncture in hamsters? Lateral saphenous vein Retroorbital sinus Heart Jugular vein

Lateral saphenous vein

Which statement is TRUE regarding anesthesia in hamsters? Long term anesthesia is appropriately achieved by gas anesthesia using a vaporizer. Long term anesthesia is appropriately achieved by repeat dosages of a short-acting injectable anesthetic cocktail. Dose rates (ml/kg) of injectable agents are the same for the common laboratory animal species. Ether is a preferred agent for gaseous anesthesia.

Long term anesthesia is appropriately achieved by gas anesthesia using a vaporizer.

What is the scientific name for the Syrian hamster? Phodopus sungorus Cricetulus griseus Mesocricetus auratus Cricetus cricetus

Mesocricetus auratus

What is NOT appropriate environmental enrichment for hamsters? Live feed Wheels and exercise equipment PVC tubes Raised resting boards

Raised resting boards

Which statement about hamster anatomy is FALSE? Hamsters are prone to dental disease. Hamster cheek pouches lack lymphatic vessels. Sebaceous scent glands are used to scent mark pups. Hamsters have a compartmentalized stomach.

Sebaceous scent glands are used to scent mark pups.

Which statement is TRUE regarding hamsters that have newly arrived at a facility? Experimentation on the animals may proceed as soon as they arrive at the facility. The animals should be housed in a quarantine area and may undergo diagnostic testing. Animals should have an acclimation period before the quarantine period. Animal health status can be determined from the documentation accompanying the animal shipment.

The animals should be housed in a quarantine area and may undergo diagnostic testing.

The information that should be provided with the results of a database search for alternatives includes which of the following? The IP address of the computer used, the date of the search, and the years of citations accessed. The library service used to perform the search, the date of the search, and the key words used. The names of the databases used, the date of the search, the years of citations accessed, and the search strategy. The names of the databases used, the name of the individual performing the search, and the number of citations accessed.

The names of the databases used, the date of the search, the years of citations accessed, and the search strategy.

What concept is relevant to the proper conduct of euthanasia? The selection of an appropriate euthanasia method need not address esthetic considerations for staff and onlookers. Experimental criteria are the primary determinant of the euthanasia method that is acceptable for an animal. The selection of an appropriate euthanasia method should address considerations of humaneness to the animal, and safety and esthetics for the staff. Staff competence to handle and restrain the species of animal is the training objective for performing euthanasia.

The selection of an appropriate euthanasia method should address considerations of humaneness to the animal, and safety and esthetics for the staff.

Why is it important to isolate hamsters suspected of having Tyzzer's disease? Tyzzer's disease is a spore-forming bacteria and it can be difficult to sanitize Tyzzer's disease will cause diarrhea, so cage changes will need to be more frequent Tyzzer's disease will only infect hamsters. Tyzzer's disease mainly affects young hamsters between 3 and 8 weeks of age.

Tyzzer's disease is a spore-forming bacteria and it can be difficult to sanitize