Cooper J E
Tijdschr Diergeneeskd. 1987 Apr;112 Suppl 1:98S-103S.
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.
本文涵盖的物种有小鼠、大鼠、金黄地鼠、沙鼠（长爪沙鼠）、豚鼠和兔子，所有这些物种既常作为宠物饲养，也用于展览、教育和研究。要对这些小型哺乳动物进行令人满意的约束、检查和治疗，就必须了解它们的生物学特性。它们易患一系列传染性和非传染性疾病。小型哺乳动物代谢率高，体表面积大。因此，麻醉和手术可能会出现低血糖和体温过低的问题。可以使用各种麻醉剂，并且一系列外科手术都可以安全、成功地进行。
