COMMON DISEASES OF LABORATORY ANIMALS IN CANADA

T Balazst

THE LABORATORY ANIMAL has been called the "reagent of the biologist". As the
chemist depends on a reagent of known purity, so the biologist depends on an
animal of known health and origin.
It is well known that strains of the same species may differ not only morpho-
logically but also in their sensitivity toward chemical and pathogenic agents. It
has been established, for example, that strains of mice differ in their sensitivity to
experimental infections (1). Selection of animals for disease resistance, and the
development of resistant strains are procedures of great value in the control of
many diseases. Nevertheless the occurrence of spontaneous diseases is still a
major problem in most laboratory animal colonies.
The commonest diseases of the laboratory mouse, rat and guinea pig as
observed in Canadian colonies are described here. These are the animals likely
to be of most interest to the veterinarian although several other species are used
in the laboratory.
BACTERIAL AND VIRAL DISEASES
Mouse
Perhaps the most widespread disease of mice is paratyphoid infection caused by
Salmonella typhimurium. The major symptom observed is diarrhea in young
animals about the age of weaning. Hyperplastic splenitis and enteritis are found
at necropsy. The mortality rate varies among different strains, but infected
animals are of little value. Slanetz (7) recommends that each litter be examined
for the presence of salmonella in the feces. Animals found to be infected should
be removed from the colony.
A somewhat similar disease is viral diarrhea which has also been observed in
Canada. Symptoms appear at an earlier age than those of paratyphoid. The
presence of enteritis in young animals with negative bacteriologic findings, and
the absence of hyperplastic splenitis, suggest the presence of the disease. To
prevent spreading the disease infected litters should be sacrificed.
Although many other viral diseases of the mouse are known they have not as
yet been reported in Canada. In many instances they have been observed as in-
cidental findings in virus experiments in which the experiment infection
evidently activated the latent one.
Rat
The most common disease of the rat in Canada is a chronic respiratory disease
which probably occurs in all colonies. According to Nelson (6) a virus is the
pathogenic agent and the presence of streptococcus-as evidenced by cultural
technic-only aggravates the condition. The disease remains latent for several
months and an increase in the blood granulocyte count can be detected during
this phase (2). In the stage of latent infection histologic examination reveals a
WFood and Drug Laboratories, Department of National Health and Welfare, Ottawa, Ont.
179
CAN VET JOUR vol 2 no 5 May 1961
ISO BALAZS

peribronchial lymphocyte and round cell infiltration. In spite of the 80-90%

morbidity, the mortality in rats up to 1 year old is low. In older animals the
mortality rate increases. Clinically, advanced cases exhibit rhinitis, dyspnea and
emaciation. Purulent bronchiectatic pneumonia is the main postmortem finding.
According to Habermann (4) long term treatment with sulfamerazine (lasting
for 3-4 generations) may control the disease. It is plausible that with sulfamera-
zine treatment there is an inhibition of the secondary bacterial infection.
Bacterial pneumonia, caused by pneumonococcus, appears also to be prevalent
in Canadian colonies. The disease is characterized by a seasonal occurrence, an
acute course and a high mortality of younger animals. Rhinitis, fever and dyspnea
are the major symptoms. When the thoracic cavity is opened the lungs do not
collapse and considerable mucopurulent fluid can be expressed from the cut
trachea when pressure is applied to the lungs. Acute pneumonia may be observed
at necropsy. Antibiotic treatment has been employed with good results on several
occasions. A sensitivity test should be performed prior to treatment.
Several organisms such as Streptobacillus moniliformis, pleuropneumonia-like
organisms have been incriminated as causative agents of middle ear disease (5).
Unless the infection spreads to the inner ear to cause a labyrinthitis with
resultant disequilibration, the disease can be detected only by radiologic exami-
nation (3). Necropsy reveals purulent inflammation of the tympanic bulla. There
is some evidence that the litter becomes infected aerogenically after 14 days of
age. Thus early weaning may be desirable. Only the progeny of parents found
free of this disease should be kept for breeding. In this manner the incidence of
the disease in a colony can be greatly reduced.
Hemobartonellosis is a latent ailment caused by Hemobartonella muris, a
parasite of the erythrocyte, transmitted by the louse, Polyplax. Infected animals
show severe anemia and jaundice after splenectomy. Although the microbe is
sensitive to tetracycline antibiotics, eradicating the ectoparasite is a control.
Ring tail disease is characterized by edema and consecutive necrosis of the
tail in young (1-2 weeks old) rats. This condition is common in certain strains
kept in air-conditioned rooms of low relative humidity. Increasing the humidity
suddenly decreases the incidence of the disorder.
Guinea Pig
Paratyphoid caused by Salmonella enteritidis and characterized by an acute
septicemia, is the most disastrous disease of this species. The mortality is high
among young animals and in addition, abortions contribute to losses. Hyper-
plastic splenitis and necrotic foci in the liver and spleen are pathognomonic.
Although vaccination is of some value in prevention of the disease, heavily in-
fected colonies should be sacrificed since carriers are numerous.
Fibrinous pneumonia with pleurisy and metritis frequently causes heavy losses
during the winter months. Streptococcus and pneumococcus, which are normally
present and are only facultative pathogens, are usually isolated from the tissues. A
lack of fresh green feeds may act as a contributing factor by inducing an ascorbic
acid deficiency and decreasing the resistance of the animals. Feeding of fresh
vegetables significantly reduces the losses. Vaccination or chemotherapeutic treat-
ment is of limited value.
 DISEASES OF LABORATORY ANIMALS 181
Cervical lymphadenitis is caused by a pathogenic streptococcus. Purulent in-
flammation of the submandibular lymph nodes is observed. The disease may be
eradicated by the elimination of all infected animals.

PARASITIc DISEASES
Parasitic diseases are common in each of the aforementioned species. Among
protozoal infections, coccidiosis in the rat and several flagellate infestations in
the mouse have been observed. Helminth infestation such as oxyurid is frequent
in mice and rats. Tapeworm infestation is observed to a lesser degree. Since only
a heavy infestation causes clinical symptoms a regular fecal examination is
necessary for early detection of infestation.
The various external parasites prevalent in laboratory animals include ear
mites in rats, louse and flea infestations in all species, and ringworm (Trichophyton
sp.) in the guinea pig.
In the eradication of the parasitic diseases, antiparasitic treatments as well as
general hygienic measures should be used. Sulfonamides are applied in the treat-
ment of coccidiosis; piperazine for roundworm infestations and atabrin for tape-
worm infestations. These drugs are given in drinking water or mixed with food.
Chlorinated hydrocarbon compounds are used in solution (bath) or as dusting
powder against ectoparasites. Ringworm may be effectively treated with
griseofulvin.
The prevention of disease in an animal colony requires the avoidance of hap-
hazard introduction of new animals as well as adequate hygienic conditions. It
is recommended that new animals be quarantined for the period of the first
breeding. Furthermore, in the prevention of the spread of infections, monogamous
or bigamous breeding techniques are advantageous.
Pathogen-free strains of mice, rats and guinea pigs have been developed. At
the Lobound Institute of Notre Dame University, rats and mice, delivered by
caesarean section and hand fed, became the nucleus of several disease-free rat
colonies. In establishing a new colony, such animals can be obtained from com-
mercial breeding houses.
Successful maintenance of satisfactory breeding colonies depends very much
on the intelligent cooperation of the animal caretakers. It should be mentioned
that several spontaneous diseases of laboratory rodents are contagious to humans,
including viral choriomeningitis of the mouse, leptospirosis of the rat, paratyphoid
and ringworm. Therefore, the hygienic handling of laboratory animals should be
emphasized.
The establishment of large laboratory animal breeding colonies has given rise
to many new problems which greatly increase the importance of laboratory
animal medicine to the veterinarian.
REFERENCES
1 BALAZS T and FABIAN G. On the genetical uniformity of two Hungarian mouse strains.
Acta Biologica Ac Sci Hung IX: 1-8. 1958.
2 BALAZS T. Unpublished Data.
3 GRICE H c, GREGORY E R w and CONNELL M R E. Diagnosis of middle and inner ear
disease in rats. JAVMA 127: 430-452. 1955.
182 BALAZS
4 HABERMANN T R. Spontaneous diseases and their control in laboratory animals. Public
Health Reports 74: 156-9. 1959.
5 MATHESON B H, GRiCE H C and CONNELL M R E. Studies of middle ear disease in rats.
Can J Comp Med XIX: 91-7. 1955.
6 NELSON I B. The etiology and control of chronic respiratory disease in the rat. Proc
Animal Care Panel 7:30-40, 1957.
7 SLANETZ A c. The control of Salmonella infections in colonies of mice. J of Bacter 56: 6.
1948.

THE VETERINARY IDEAL

The organization that is progressive must not be at cross purposes. What is our code, the
Hippocratic Oath, the Ten Commandments, the Golden Rule?
Let it be made known by those present to all men, that the purpose of the veterinary pro-
fession is to use the talents of its members for the welfare of mankind.
Our ideal of a perfect veterinarian would be one who is an expert technician, a specialist
with time to discuss difficult problems and the wisdom to refer problems to his colleague who
is better qualified, and lastly, a person with the right word for the right person at the right
time.
This challenge is in no way unique.
We need men of strong character and high moral principles, committed to work and a
plan of action. Are we gifted men using our talents to perpetuate a bank account, or gifted
men of service, fulfilling our objectives in the welfare of mankind?
Excerpt from speech given by Dr T Hawke, President of the Ontario Veterinary Association
at the 1961 OVA Convention in Toronto on January 26-28.

PACIFIC NORTHWEST VETERINARY MEDICAL CONVENTION

The Annual Meeting of the Pacific Northwest Veterinary Medical Association will be
held at the Hotel Georgia in Vancouver BC on June 8, 9 and 10, 1961.
Over 1,000 individual notices of this convention were sent to veterinarians and their
wives in BC, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Alberta and Alaska.
This year the British Columbia Veterinary Association is your host at the convention.
A cordial invitation is extended to all veterinarians and their wives to participate in the
social and scientific functions. Impressive speakers, films and discussions on important
topics are being arranged. Many exhibits will also be on displav.
A complete programme is also being arranged for the ladies.
For reservations write to the Hotel Georgia, Vancouver, BC.

PERSONAL NEWS
BIRTHS
Hatfield To Dr and Mrs Cliff Hatfield of
Winnipeg, Man on December 26, 1960, a
daughter.
Herchen To Dr and Mrs H Herchen of
Guelph, Ontario, on March 9, 1961-a
daughter.
McCallum To Dr and Mrs Rex McCallum
(OVC '43) of Brownlee, Sask on August 10,
1960-a son, William Kelly.
McWatt To Dr and Mrs E McWatt of
British Guiana on Feb 23, 1961-a son,
Gregory Dirk.
Mills To Dr and Mrs D R Mills (Dublin
'52) of Moose Jaw, Sask on August 4, 1960-
a son, John Gordon.
Schroder To Dr and Mrs J D Schroder of
Guelph Ont on February 14, 1961-a son,
James Duncan Kilgour.
Smith To Dr and Mrs H J Smith of
Sackville NB on Mar 19, 1961-a son, Andrew
Mark.
MARRIAGES
Fray-FitzGerald On Mar 8, 1961 Dr P P
FitzGerald of Guelph was married to Mr M
Fray of Kingston, Jamaica. The wedding took
place in Guelph.
DEATHS
Spencer Dr G E Spencer of Penzance,
Saskatchewan died in April, 1960.