Small Pet Health Checklist — Daily Observation & Warning Signs

Small animals have tiny bodies, so changes in condition can be life-threatening. Daily observation to detect abnormalities early and respond quickly is essential.

5 Daily Checkpoints

1. Appetite - Monitor how much food is consumed. Sudden loss of appetite is a warning sign - Also check water intake. Watch for dramatic increases or decreases - Hamsters hoard food in cheek pouches, so also check inside the nesting box

2. Droppings - **Feces**: Check quantity, size, shape, and firmness - Rabbits: Round, firm pellets are normal. Diarrhea or extremely small pellets are abnormal - Hamsters: Small, dry, rice-grain-sized droppings. Watery diarrhea requires vet visit - **Urine**: Color, amount, frequency. Blood in urine is an emergency

3. Coat and Skin - Rough, flaky coat -- stress or skin disease - Bald patches -- mites, fungal infection, or allergies - Frequent scratching -- possible skin issues

4. Behavior - Less active than usual, sitting in corners -- feeling unwell - Unusually hyperactive or restless -- pain or stress - Abnormal gait -- possible fracture or dislocation

5. Eyes, Nose, Mouth - Excessive eye discharge or tearing -- conjunctivitis or dental problems - Runny nose or sneezing -- respiratory illness - Drooling -- malocclusion (common in rabbits and guinea pigs)

Species-Specific Diseases to Watch For

Hamsters - **Wet tail (proliferative ileitis)**: Watery diarrhea. High mortality rate - **Cheek pouch prolapse**: Cheek pouch protrudes from mouth. See a vet immediately - **Pseudo-hibernation**: Occurs below 15°C. Warm with hands while heading to vet

Rabbits - **GI stasis (hairball syndrome)**: Digestive slowdown. Decreased appetite is the first sign - **Malocclusion**: Dental misalignment. Prevented by timothy hay consumption - **Snuffles**: Sneezing and nasal discharge. Pasteurella infection

Chinchillas - **Heat stroke**: Dangerous above 25°C. Cool the body and rush to vet if lethargic - **Digestive issues**: Often caused by insufficient timothy hay - **Malocclusion**: Drooling and appetite loss are indicators

Hedgehogs - **Mites**: Dandruff at quill base. Treat early with medication - **Obesity**: Prevent with exercise wheel and diet management - **Tumors**: Incidence rises after age 3

Guinea Pigs - **Vitamin C deficiency**: Lethargy, joint swelling. Prevent with vegetables - **Bladder stones**: More common in males. Detected by blood in urine or vocalizing during urination

Choosing a Veterinarian

Not all vet clinics treat small animals. Find an exotic animal veterinarian before adoption.

• Choose clinics that specifically list exotic animal care
• Dog-and-cat-only clinics may not provide appropriate treatment
• Also confirm availability of after-hours emergency care

Emergency Response

• Not eating or moving: Keep warm and rush to the vet
• Diarrhea: Ensure water intake to prevent dehydration; go to the vet
• Bleeding: Apply pressure with clean gauze while heading to the vet
• Pseudo-hibernation (hamsters): Warm slowly with your hands while heading to the vet

Daily observation and early veterinary care are the keys to your small animal's health and longevity.