Surgical sterilization in small mammals. Spay and castration.

The intrinsic physiologic and anatomic differences between small exotic mammals and the species that are more familiar to veterinary practitioners (i.e., dogs and cats) are substantial. This discussion is limited to rabbits, mice and rats (murid rodents), hamsters and gerbils (cricetid rodents), and guinea pigs and chinchillas (hystricomorph rodents). In addition to their anatomic and physiologic differences, differences in behaviors, such as their reaction to stress and pain, exist. Preoperative and postoperative care, basic surgical techniques unique to these species, and useful materials are discussed.