Anatomy and

Physiology- Unit D
 External Features
and Bones
Competency: 9.00
Summarize the major parts of
small animals
Objective 9.01
Describe the major external parts of small
animals
Basic Anatomy Terminology
1. Cheek- fleshy side of the face
2. Dewlap- loose skin under the chin
3. Elbow- upper joint of the front leg
4. Flank- fleshy part of the side
5. Foot pad- part that the animal walks on
6. Forearm- front limb just below the elbow
7. Guard hair- longer course hair above the
shorter under fur (protection)
Basic Anatomy Terminology
8. Hock- tarsal joint halfway up the hind limb
9. Lion- fleshy part of the side under the spinal
column
10. Muzzle- projecting jaw (nose and mouth)
11. Nose pad
Tip of the nose
Used for investigating food and unfamiliar objects
Called the nose leather in cats
Basic Anatomy Terminology
12. Rump- upper rounded part of the
hindquarter
13. Shoulder- above the elbow of the fore leg
14. Stifle- joint above the hock
15. Thigh- area between the rump and hock
16. Whiskers- long hairs growing near the
mouth
Basic Anatomy Terminology- Birds
1. Crown
top of the head
2. Ear covert
feathers covering the ears
3. Mandible
upper or lower segment of the bill
4. Nape
back of the neck
5. Orbital ring
ring around the eye
Basic Anatomy Terminology- Fish,
Amphibians, and Reptiles
1. Brille
transparent layer covering eyes
Eyelid for snakes

2. Fins
Web of skin supported with bone or cartilage
rods
Enables fish to move through water
Basic Anatomy Terminology- Fish,
Amphibians, and Reptiles
3. Gills
Major organ of the respiratory system
Breath without lungs
4. Scales
Modified portion of the epidermal layer
Provides protection
5. Scutes
Epidermal scales found on turtles
Objective 9.02
Define major skeletal parts of small
animals
Skeletal System

Axial skeleton
vertebral column
Ribs
Sternum
skull
Dog Skeleton

http://images.encarta.msn.com/xrefmedia/aencmed/targets/illus/ilt/000f09ca.gif
Dog Skeleton

http://www.ndsu.nodak.edu/instruct/tcolvill/135/images/S23.GIF
Skeletal System

Pectoral limb
front limbs
shoulders, legs and feet
scapula (shoulder blade)

humerus (arm)

radius and ulna (forearm)

carpals, metacarpals and phalanges (toes)

http://www.uoguelph.ca/~mammals/CatSkeleton.jpg
http://www.biology.ualberta.ca/courses.hp/zoo.225/Catskeleton.jpeg
Skeletal System
Pelvic limb
rear legs and pelvic bones
hooks
pin bones
femur (upper leg bone)
tibia and fibula (lower leg bones)
Tarsals (hocks)
Metatarsals (feet)
Phalanges (toes)
Rabbit Skeleton

http://www.ext.vt.edu/pubs/foods/458-878/rabbit.gif
 Rabbit Skeleton

http://www.avte.net/AVTE2003/contents/anatomy/lab%20animal/rabbit_skeleton.jpg
Skeletal System-Birds

Have
some unique bones unlike
mammals
Most have a skull bone that elongates
toward the front of the head
Some have a skull with an upper beak
fused to it while other birds have hinges
on both upper and lower mandibles
giving it more flexibility
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/birds/printouts/Skeleton.shtml
Objective 9.03
Discuss the role of internal organs in small
animals
Major organs and systems
Heart
major organ in the circulatory
system
3 muscle layers
Circulatory System
Myocardium
second layer muscle that makes up the
thickness of the heart
Endocardium
thin layer inside myocardium
Epicardium
thin cover over the myocardium
Other parts of the circulatory system are the
arteries, capillaries, veins and blood
Layers of the Heart
Heart
Circulatory System
Other parts of the circulatory system are
Arteries
Capillaries
Veins
Blood
Circulatory System- Functions
Transports
nutrients
metabolic waste
oxygen
Protects against microbes and
injury
Kidneys and Bladder
Part of the excretory system
rids the body of waste
maintain chemical composition
volume of blood
regulates tissue fluid
Stomach and Intestines
Major part of digestive system
breaks food down into smaller
pieces to be used by the body
Nutrients
are gleaned from these
food materials
Lungs
Part of the respiratory system
oxygen is taken in by the nose,
passed on to the lungs and then
goes into the blood
Nervous System
Brains, spinal cord, and nerves
Coordinator of all body activities
Regulates other systems
Controls memory and learning
Reproductive system
Ovaries and testes
Egg
Sperm
Helpproduce new individuals of
the same species
Muscular System
Muscles
Movement
Posture
Support
Produces heat
 Small Animal
Nutrition
Competency: 10.00
Examine the role of nutrition in
the support of animals life
Objective 10.01
Discuss the six basic nutritional
requirements of small animals in relation
to the function they serve for the small
animal
Nutrition

Nutrient-single group of foods of

the same general chemical
composition that supports animal
life
There are six basic nutrient
Water
More important nutrient than any
other nutrient
makes up 55-65% of an animals
body
Water
Aides in digestion
Transports nutrients
Regulates body temperature
Carries waste from the body
Supports respiration
Proteins
Complex nutrients composed of
carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and
nitrogen
Develop and repairing body
organs and tissues
muscles, nerves, skin, hair, hooves,
and feathers
Proteins
Production of milk, wool, and eggs
Reproduction process of the
developing fetus
Developing the young
Transmitting DNA
 Carbohydrates
Converting of food into energy
Made up of chemical elements
Carbon
Hydrogen
Oxygen

Supports breathing and digesting

Carbohydrates
Production of heat for body warmth
Stores fat
Types of carbohydrates
Sugars
Starch
fiber
Fats
Chemical elements of
Carbon
Hydrogen
Oxygen
Same elements as carbohydrates
but different combinations
Fats
Fats contain 2.25 times more energy
Aid in absorbing fat-soluble vitamins
A, D, E and K
Providesthe essential fatty acids
needed in an animals diet
Vitamins
Organic substances needed for
specific biochemical reactions
A,B, C, D, E and K
Needed in small amounts
Vitamins
Regulation of body glands
Digestivesystem
Absorption
Metabolism
The chemical processes occurring within a living cell or
organism that are necessary for the maintenance of life. In
metabolism some substances are broken down to yield
energy for vital processes while other substances, necessary
for life, are synthesized.
Minerals
Supply the material for building
the skeleton and producing
regulators such as enzymes and
hormones
Divided into 2 groups
Macro
Micro
 Macro vs. Micro
Macro
Seven major minerals needed in
largest quantity and most likely
lacking in the ration
Micro
Nine trace minerals needed in
small amounts
Macro-minerals
Phosphorus
Calcium
Potassium
Sodium and chlorine
Sulfur
Magnesium
Micro-minerals
Iron Zinc
Iodine Molybdenum
Copper Selenium
Cobalt Fluorine
Manganese
Objective 10.02
Determine symptoms related to nutrient
deficiencies in small animals
Nutrient Deficiencies
Nutrition
Process by which an animal receives and
balanced food and water ration
Grow
Maintain its body

Reproduce

Perform

Nutrient
substance that is necessary for an organism to
live and grow
Nutrient Deficiencies
Slow growth
(common of all nutrients)
Water deficiency
Overheating
slowdown in normal body functions occurs
Carbohydrates
lack of energy
Lack of normal body functions
loss of body heat
Nutrient Deficiencies
Proteins
Normal growth development and repairing of body
organs ex: muscles, nerves, skin, hair, hooves, and
feathers suffers
Protein deficiency may result
Anorexia
Anemia
Edema
Slow growth rate
Low birth weight of young
Lower milk production
Decreased feed efficiency
Nutrient Deficiencies

Fats
Provides energy
aids in absorption of fat-soluble vitamins
Vitamins
various body functions will suffer when
vitamins are lacking
Depends on the vitamins in question
Nutrient Deficiencies

Mineral deficiency
lowrate of gains
poor feed efficiency
decreased reproduction
decrease in milk, meat, eggs, and
wool production
Nutrition and
Digestion of Small
Animals
Competency: 11.00
Analyze the digestive process and
feeding requirements for small
animals
Objective 11.01
Discuss the digestive process in a
ruminants digestive system.
 Ruminants
Considered as forage consuming
Ruminants have one stomach with
multiple compartments
Foodis acted on by millions of
bacteria and microorganisms
Transform low-quality protein and
nitrogen compounds
essential amino acids
http://www.ca.uky.edu/agripedia/Classes/ASC106/media/RUMEN.GIF
Four compartments
Rumen
largestcompartment
contains bacteria & microorganisms
aids in the digestive process
Rumen Papillae

http://education.vetmed.vt.edu/Curric
ulum/VM8054/Labs/Lab21/IMAGES/ru
men%20copy.jpg
Reticulum
Second compartment
aides in the formation of cud for
regurgitation
Alsoknown as the hardware
stomach because it collects nails
or pieces of wire
 Reticulum

http://www.cvmbs.colostate.edu/ilm/outreach/necropsy/images/reticulum1.jpg
 Reticulum

http://arbl.cvmbs.colostate.edu/hbooks/pathphys/digestion/herbivores/retic.jpg
 Omasum
Third compartment
removes water from food
Looks like the folds of a book
 Omasum

http://courses.washington.edu/vertebra/453/photos/gut_photos/m
ammal_digestive_photos.htm
 Abomasum

Fourth compartment
Referred to as the true stomach
Breaks down food material
muscular movement
secretes digestive juices

The material then passes into the small

intestine
http://www.yourdictionary.com/images/ahd/jpg/A4abomas.jpg
Objective 11.02
Explain the digestive process in a non-
ruminants digestive system
Non-Ruminants
Single-stomached
Mono-gastric
includes all of the small animals
Cats

Dogs

Rabbits

Birds
Rabbits
Non-ruminant herbivores
Consumes large amounts of
roughage
Large cecum and colon between
the small and large intestines
contains bacteria
Rabbit Digestive System

http://courses.washington.edu/vertebra/453/photos/gut_photos/mammal_digestive_photos.htm
Rabbits
Rabbits eat undigested feces
Coprophagy
Usually occurs late night or early
morning
Makes use of undigested material
so they can make full use of bacteria
in cecum
Birds
Lack teeth
Saliva is added to aid in swallowing
Very little breakdown in the mouth
Gizzard
Largest digestive organ
Grinds and crushes
Digestive System- Bird

http://www.biologycorner.com/resources/bird_anatomy.jpg
Digestive Process of Non-Ruminants

Food is broken down in mouth (except

birds)
Passes to the stomach
Small Intestine
Primary site of absorption
Large Intestine
Absorption of Water
Addition of mucus
Fish Digestive System
Systems vary
Type of feed determines teeth
Some fish swallow their prey whole
while others chew it up
 Fish digestive system

http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/resources/Grzimek_fish/structure_function/digestive_system.jpg/medium.jpg
Objective 11.03
Distinguish between feeding programs of
the small animal
Nutrient Use
Maintenance
keeping constant
no gain or loss of weight
usually high in carbohydrates and
fats
Growth
increase in body size
rations high in energy and protein
Nutrient Use
Reproduction
failuresare a major result from
poor nutrition
Contains a large amount of protein,
minerals, and vitamins
Improper nutrition can affect
conception rates and breeding
ability
Reproduction
Babies that are underweight at
birth, or which become an aborted
fetus are often the result of
improper nutrition to female
during gestation
Nutrient Use
Lactation
timeduring which females are
producing milk
Requires the proper nutrients to
have large milk production
Lactation
Diet high in protein, calcium, and
phosphorus.
The same nutrients contained in
the milk are the same needed by
a lactating female
Nutrient Use
Work and activity
Increased amounts of fats and
carbohydrates are needed in a working
diet to supply the extra energy needed
Hunting dogs need special diets
because they require energy to chase
after game
 Feeding Terminology
Diet
Feed and water that an animal uses
Amount and type of feedstuff is based
upon:
Animal Needs
Kind of and amounts of nutrients contained in
feed
Palatability- digestible and appeals to the
animal
A good nutritious feed is only good if it is eaten
Feeding Terminology
Feed classifications
Roughages (or forages)
made up of leaves and the plants tender
stems
Feeding Terminology
Concentrates
recommended for small animals as a
regular part of their diet
High energy
Corn, wheat, sorghum, barley, rye, oats
High protein
Soybean meal, cottonseed oil meal, sunflower
meal
Feeding Terminology
Supplements
contains a specific nutrient
Ration
feed that contains the right amount
and proportion of nutrients
Specific Diets
Dogsand Cats
Commercial feed is the best
Puppies need diet higher in protein than
adults and food intake is regulated by
activity
Cats need 2X the protein of dogs
10% of their diet should be fat
Rabbits
Pellet type of commercial feed is
best
Avoid feeding leafy green
vegetables
Pocket Pets
Best to use pellet type
commercial feed
If mixing ration; should have a
wide range of food
Pocket Pets
Gerbils
Little green food in diet
Rats
can have dog food substituted
Ferrets
can eat cat food
Pocket Pets
Mice
will not overeat
Guinea pigs
need solid food to dull their teeth and a
certain amount of Vitamin C
Amphibians & Reptiles
Prefer to eat animals if large enough
Tadpoles
eat pellets of rabbit, dog, or cat food
Turtles
Piecesof liver
Strawberries and other fruits
Amphibians & Reptiles
Snakes (in captivity)
Fullgrown can learn to eat canned dog
Variety of insects
Baby rodents
Frogs and toads
Lizards
Most eat insects
Birds
Diet mostly consists of seeds
Including cereal seeds and oil seeds
Fruit and nectar birds
eatoranges
Grapes
apple slices
Fish
Diet is affected by water temperature
Higher temperature
Increased food intake
Variety of food should be given to
decrease boredom
 Fish
Amount fish is fed should be amount it can
eat in a few minutes to avoid contaminating
water
Smaller fish
Flaked food
Larger Fish
Shrimp
Krill
Plankton
 Small Animal
Reproduction
Competency: 12.00
Analyze Reproduction in
Small Animals
Objective 12.01
Discuss reproduction of small animals
Sexual Reproduction
Two parents are required
Natural Insemination
Male
Spermatozoa or male sex cell
Female
Egg or ovum (female sex cell)
Trout Spermatozoa

http://www.rennes.inra.fr/scribe/images/spermato.jpg
Sexual Terminology
Conception
Creation of new life by fertilization
Union of egg and sperm
Estrus
Heat period
Female is receptive to breeding
Stand for mating
Estrus- Stand for mating

http://www.clas.ufl.edu/jur/199912/images/balaguer_4.jpg
Sexual Terminology
Gestation
Periodof pregnancy
Begins at conception ends at parturition

Ovulation
Release of egg
Parturition
Process of giving birth
Female Reproductive Anatomy
Ovary
Primaryreproductive organ
Produces the female gamete (egg)

Embryo
Developing young
Mammals
Enters uterus after 3-5 days
Female Reproductive Anatomy
Uterus
Place of embryo growth and development
Cervix
Partof uterus that contains rings
Cervical mucus
Seals uterus during pregnancy
Female Reproductive Anatomy
Vagina
Reproductive passageway
Urine excretio
Vulva
External opening of reproductive tract
Male Reproductive Anatomy
Testicle
Primary organ
Produces male gametes
Externally held in scrotum
Controls temperature
Sheath
Fold of skin
Protective covering
Objective 12.02
Use principals of reproductive physiology
to determine gestation characteristics in
small animals
Gestation
Time from conception to parturition (birth)
Varies for each species
General Characteristics
Increase size of breast and abdomen and
appetite
Restlessness
End of gestation
End of Gestation
Pocket pets and rabbits
Nesting box should be provided
Wood shavings
Straw
Paper
Dogs and cats
Birthing box
One to three weeks prior
Helps them to get comfortable with the setting
Gestation Period
Species Period (days)
Cats 51-65 (7-9 weeks)
Dogs 56-70 (9-10 weeks)
Rabbits 28-32 (4-4.5 weeks)
Hamsters 30-32
Gerbils 16
Rats 21-24
Mice 21-24
Guinea Pig 56-74
Ferrets 42