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Abstract:
The species covered in this paper are the mouse, rat, golden hamster, gerbil (jird), guinea pig and rabbit, all of which are commonly kept as pets as well as for exhibition purposes, education and research. An understanding of the biology of these small mammals is necessary if they are to be satisfactorily restrained, examined and treated. They are susceptible to a range of infectious and non-infectious diseases. Small mammals have a high metabolic rate and a large body surface area. Anaesthesia and surgery may therefore present problems of hypoglycaemia and hypothermia. Various anaesthetic agents can be used and a range of surgical procedures may be safely and successfully performed.