Hyperzincaemia in a pet African giant rat (Cricetomys gambianus Waterhouse, 1840) : clinical communication

Abstract

Presented is an African giant rat (Cricetomys gambianus) following zinc ingestion. The sick rat was lethargic, withdrawn, had soft, mucus-impregnated faeces and diahorrea, foot twitching and icterus. Comparative age, sex and body weight (b.wt.)-matched analyses were made with a healthy giant rat. Twelve-hourly Urine volume (UV), Haematocrit (Hct), urinary glucose, plasma zinc and Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) were performed over an 8-week period. Full blood counts were performed and differential WBC counts and microscopic observations were made on blood smears obtained from both healthy and sick rats. Consecutive blood samples were drawn at the end of each week (Weeks <2-6 treatment; Weeks 7-8 post-treatment). Treatment involved oral vitamin B12 supplement at 4 µg / day and 2m diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) intramuscular injections at 1m / 450g b.wt. / 5 wks (Week 2 - 6). Day 1 showed neutropaenia, Heinz bodies on RBCs (reticulocytes and immature forms). Zinc (Day 1 - end Week 7), glucose (Day 1 - end Week 4), ALP (Day 1 - Week 4) and UV were elevated (Day 1 - end Week 6). Indications of moderate zinc toxicosis following ingestion and stress-associated glucosuria were concluded

Haematological and serum biochemistry profile of the juvenile wild African giant rat (Cricetomys gambianus, Waterhouse – 1840) in Nsukka, South-Eastern Nigeria – a preliminary investigation

“…The condition of the burrows may have an impact on the structural components of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems, haematology and blood chemistry parameters (Chapman & Bennet 1975). These rats are also found in forests, thickets, pits and bushes, although many thrive in urban and suburban settings (Cooper & Erlwanger 2007). The rat is known to be omnivorous as they feed on vegetables, insects, palm fruits and kernels and date palm.…”

“…It also lives in burrows underground and weighs between 1 and 1.4 kg and reaches sexual maturity at 5-7 months of age in the wild. Trained Gambian pouched rats are useful in detecting land mines and tuberculosis with their highly developed sense of smell (Wood 2007), and also used as exotic pets (Cooper & Erlwanger 2007). In many African countries, they are valued as an important food item and a source of protein (Olayemi & Adeshina 2002).…”

“…In available literature, there are reasonable amount of haematological and serum biochemistry values of rodents such as the birch mouse (Wolk 1985), juvenile laboratory rat (Ihedioha et al 2004), African soft-furred rat (Kagira et al 2005), wild grasscutter (Opara et al 2006) and adult wild African giant rat (C. gambianus) (Oyewale et al 1998a(Oyewale et al , 1998bOlayemi & Adeshina 2002;Cooper & Erlwanger 2007), but only little information is available on the haematology and serum biochemistry values of the juvenile wild African giant rat (Nssien et al 2002;Onwuka et al 2003). Due to the variations in the haematological and serum biochemistry values, there is need for each clinic to establish its own reference range of values for relevant animal population.…”

Care, husbandry and diseases of the African giant rat (Cricetomys gambianus) : review article

“…Indeed, chronic exposure to zinc has been shown to increase levels of neuropeptide Y, a factor implicated in seizures 33 . Chronic zinc exposure in an African giant rat resulted in lethargy, withdrawal, soft, mucus-impregnated faeces and diarrhoea, foot twitching and icterus 12 . Indications of moderate zinc toxicosis following ingestion and stressassociated glucosuria have been reported 12 .…”

“…Chronic zinc exposure in an African giant rat resulted in lethargy, withdrawal, soft, mucus-impregnated faeces and diarrhoea, foot twitching and icterus 12 . Indications of moderate zinc toxicosis following ingestion and stressassociated glucosuria have been reported 12 . Aluminium cages should also be avoided, especially for young rats that are susceptible to aluminium-induced changes in the metabolism of essential nutrients 30 .…”