1887

Other insectivores and rodents

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Abstract

This chapter covers insectivores (moles and shrews), rodents (voles, rats and mice) and beavers. These species include many that are relatively rare due to habitat destruction, and those that are an important indicator of environmental change. They may be presented following a cat attack or nest disturbance. This chapter covers: ecology and biology; anatomy and physiology; capture, handling and transportation; clinical assessment; first aid and hospitalization; anaesthesia and analgesia; specific conditions; therapeutics; husbandry; rearing of young; rehabilitation and release; and legal considerations.

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Figures

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14.2 (a) Mole. (b) Pygmy shrew. (c) Water shrew. It is best practice to wear gloves when handling moles and shrews. (a, © Richard Saunders; b, Courtesy of Andy Purcell/Conservation Education Consultants, © CEC; c, Courtesy of Lorcan Adrian)
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14.5 (a) Bank vole. (b) Field or short-tailed vole. (c) Water vole. (ab, Courtesy of Kate Long; c, Courtesy of Andy Purcell/Conservation Education Consultants, © CEC)
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14.7 (a) Brown rat. (b) Black rat. (Courtesy of Andy Purcell/Conservation Education Consultants, © CEC)
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14.9 (a) Wood mouse. (b) Harvest mouse. (a, Courtesy of Kate Long; b, © Secret World Wildlife Rescue)
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14.11 (a) Common dormouse. (b) Edible dormouse. (a, © Secret World Wildlife Rescue; b, Courtesy of Andy Purcell/Conservation Education Consultants, © CEC)
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14.13 European beaver. (Courtesy of R Campbell-Palmer)
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14.15 (a) A beaver being restrained using a hessian sac for examination and length measurements. (b) A Bavarian trap for catching beavers. (Courtesy of R Campbell-Palmer)
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14.16 In beavers, the ventral coccygeal vein is utilized for blood sampling. With the beaver in dorsal recumbency, the vein is located on the ventral aspect of the tail in the midline. This animal is anaesthetized. (Courtesy of R Campbell-Palmer)
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14.18 Wood mouse with a compound fracture of the tibia. Such fractures carry a poor prognosis and euthanasia at an early stage is the best course of action. (Courtesy of G Cousquer)
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14.22 Hand-reared insectivores, such as this litter of water shrews, must be provided with a suitable environment during captivity in order that they can learn normal behaviour such as swimming. (Courtesy of G Cousquer)
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14.23 Moles require a deep substrate for digging in, and should ideally be fed live earthworms, rather than mealworms as illustrated here. (© Richard Saunders)
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14.26 A juvenile common dormouse being syringe fed using a catheter sleeve as a dropper. Gloves should be worn when handling dormice. (© Secret World Wildlife Rescue)
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