Gastrointestinal anatomy and physiology of select exotic companion mammals.
The anatomy and gastrointestinal physiology of rabbits, guinea pigs, and chinchillas are different from those of other exotic companion mammals. Rabbits, guinea pigs, and chinchillas are all concentrate selectors, hindgut fermenters, and coprophagic. They are designed to intake large quantities of high-fibrous, low-energy-density foods. They use unique colonic separation mechanisms and have open-rooted, constantly growing dentition. Gastrointestinal disease, often secondary to diet or environmental factors, is common in these species.
Oxbow Animal Health, 29012 Mill Road Murdock, Nebraska, NE 68407, USA; School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Lincoln, Nebraska, NE 68583, USA. Electronic address: mkohles@oxbowanimalhealth.com.
Micah
M
Kohles
D000818:Animals; D002682:Chinchilla; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000502:physiology*; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D008322:Mammals / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000502:physiology*; D057805:Pets; D011817:Rabbits
Cecotroph; Chinchillas; Colonic separation mechanism; Fiber; Gastrointestinal; Guinea pigs; Hindgut; Rabbits; Small herbivores