SOS Animal — Rodents

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Rodent Triage — Health Assessment

A tool to help evaluate your pet rodent's health status.
Guinea pig, hamster, rat, mouse, gerbil, chinchilla — quickly identify emergency situations.

3M+

Pet rodents in France

6

Species covered

~300

Exotic pet vets in France

⚠ Rodents have a very fast metabolism. A guinea pig that has not eaten for 12 hours is in mortal danger (risk of hepatic lipidosis). A young hamster with wet tail can die within 24-48 hours without treatment. Do not wait.

Step 1 of 5 — Which rodent

What is your rodent?

The species determines the most common diseases and their severity.

⚠ Guinea Pig — Vital reminder: Guinea pigs cannot synthesize vitamin C. Without daily supplementation (50-80 mg/day), they develop scurvy which can be fatal. Check that the diet is adequate (bell pepper, parsley, hay, vitamin C pellets).

⚠ Chinchilla — Temperature warning: Chinchillas are extremely sensitive to heat. Above 25°C (77°F), there is a risk of fatal heatstroke. Ideal temperature: 15-20°C (59-68°F). Check the room temperature.

⚠ Hamster — Wet tail: If your young hamster (<12 weeks) has a wet and soiled perianal area, this is a life-threatening emergency. Proliferative ileitis can be fatal within 24-48 hours without treatment.

Estimated age of the animal:

Step 2 of 6 — Medical history

Medical History & Treatments

This information helps guide the assessment. Check all that apply.

Current treatments

Medical history

Step 3 of 6 — Duration

When did the symptoms first appear?

In rodents, deterioration is very rapid. Every hour counts.

Step 4 of 6 — Behavior

What is your animal's behavior?

Rodents mask their symptoms: a change in behavior is often an important warning sign.

Step 5 of 6 — Observed symptoms

What symptoms do you observe?

Check all symptoms present. Species-specific alerts are highlighted in red.

💩 Digestive

💨 Respiratory

🚽 Urinary

🦴 Skin / Coat

🧠 Neurological

🧀 Guinea Pig Specific

❄️ Chinchilla Specific

🚨 Hamster Specific

📊 Scientific Resources — Pet Rodents

Ferrets, Rabbits, and Rodents — Clinical Medicine and Surgery

Quesenberry & Carpenter — 4th edition

Veterinary reference

The definitive reference in exotic pet medicine covering all pet rodent species.

View publication ↗

Mycoplasma pulmonis in Rats

Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine

Systematic review

Chronic respiratory mycoplasmosis affects virtually all pet rats. Pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment.

Search on PubMed ↗

Scurvy in Guinea Pigs — Vitamin C Deficiency

Veterinary Clinics: Exotic Animal Practice

Review article

Scurvy in guinea pigs: pathophysiology of vitamin C deficiency, clinical signs, and therapeutic management.

Access Vet Clinics ↗

Mammary Tumors in Rats — Fibroadenomas

Laboratory Animal Science

Epidemiological studies

Mammary fibroadenomas affect up to 50% of aged female rats. Epidemiology, surgery, and prognosis.

Search on PubMed ↗

Dental Disease in Chinchillas and Guinea Pigs

Journal of Veterinary Dentistry

Imaging + clinical

Dental malocclusions are the leading reason for veterinary visits in guinea pigs and chinchillas. Diagnosis by radiography and CT scan.

Journal of Vet Dentistry ↗

Wet Tail (Proliferative Ileitis) in Hamsters

Comparative Medicine / AALAS

Experimental pathology

Proliferative ileitis caused by Lawsonia intracellularis in the Syrian hamster: a digestive emergency in young animals.

AALAS Publications ↗

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Life-threatening emergency?

Rodents deteriorate very quickly. Guinea pig anorexia, hamster wet tail, chinchilla heatstroke, severe dyspnea — do not wait, every hour counts.

☎ 3115

Useful Contacts

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Exotic Pet Veterinarian

Consult a veterinarian specializing in exotic pets — not all vets treat rodents

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GENAC Directory

Exotic Pet Study Group of AFVAC — directory of trained exotic pet veterinarians

afvac.com

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3115 — Veterinary Emergencies

National free number (France), 24/7 — referral to an emergency service

Call 3115

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Rodent Associations

Owner associations: advice, care sheets, community support