Prairie dog

Odontoma

SignsMouth breathing, snuffling or blocked-nose sounds, reduced appetite, weight loss. Common in animals that chew the cage

PreventionDo not let it chew wire. Cover bars with acrylic or cloth and reduce the stress that drives chewing

Obesity

SignsNeck crease disappears, sluggish movement, cannot groom itself

PreventionHay-based diet with only a little pellet food. As a rule, no seeds, nuts or fruit

Respiratory infection

SignsRunny nose, sneezing, open-mouth breathing, belly heaving with each breath

PreventionAvoid temperature swings and drafts. Reduce bedding dust and keep the cage clean

Malocclusion

SignsDrooling, leaves hard foods, paws at the mouth, wants to eat but cannot

PreventionProvide hay at all times to wear down the molars. Have the teeth checked regularly

Diarrhea / enteritis

SignsSoft or watery stool, soiled rear, lethargy. Triggered by sudden diet changes or too much fruit

PreventionSwitch foods gradually over several days. Avoid sugary foods

Skin disease / hair loss

SignsScratching, round bald patches, dandruff, scabs. Usually caused by fungus or mites

PreventionKeep bedding and nest clean and dry. Introduce newcomers only after a health check

Fractures

PreventionDo not let it jump from heights. No wire floors; do not chase it if it escapes

First aidDo not touch the injury. Restrict movement in a small carrier and see a vet the same day. Do not splint it yourself

Broken incisor

PreventionDo not let it chew wire. Prevent falls and collisions with the cage. Do not give overly hard items

First aidPress bleeding gently with clean gauze. Switch to soft food and see a vet the same day

Nail injury / bleeding

PreventionKeep fabrics free of loose threads and gaps that can catch a nail. Trim nails regularly

First aidPress with gauze for several minutes. If it does not stop or the nail is torn out at the root, see a vet the same day

Bite wounds (cage mate)

PreventionSeparate cages in the breeding season and when introducing newcomers; combine gradually while watching compatibility

First aidSeparate them immediately and rinse the wound with saline. Deep wounds or swelling: see a vet the same day

Plague / tularemia

RouteNo reports in domestically bred animals. The reason for the import ban

PreventionNever keep smuggled animals or animals of unknown origin. Buy from a legitimate breeder

Salmonellosis

RouteHand to mouth after touching droppings or the cage

PreventionWash hands with soap after care. Do not wash equipment in the kitchen

Dermatophytosis (ringworm)

RouteContact with bald patches or bedding

PreventionSee a vet for hair loss or dandruff. Wash hands after handling. Keep bedding dry

Pasteurellosis

RouteBites and scratches

PreventionWash bites under running water. See a doctor if red and swollen. Do not handle bare-handed in the breeding season

Food

• Timothy hay as the staple, available at all times
• Prairie dog or herbivore pellets at about 1–2% of body weight
• Small amounts of leafy greens. Seeds and fruit only as an occasional treat

Water

• Fresh water always available in both a bottle and a dish
• Change daily and check the bottle spout for clogs

Toys & play

• Chew wood and hay balls (wear down teeth, relieve stress)
• A box of soil or cork to dig in (satisfies the digging urge)
• Fabric tunnels and cardboard boxes (replace when damaged)

Nest, bed & hideout

• Provide a wooden or fabric nest box the whole body fits into
• Allow enough space for it to carry in hay or cloth itself

Bedding & litter

• Spread a thick layer of hay or paper bedding
• Avoid dusty bedding and softwood shavings
• Put the litter area in a corner. Replace soiled bedding daily

Cage / housing material

Thick metal bars with a stainless-steel or wooden floor. No wire floors

Size & space

At least 90 cm wide, low height. Prioritize floor area

Layout

• Maximize floor space and keep levels low to prevent falls
• Place the nest box, litter area and feeding spot apart
• Cover the bars with acrylic sheet or cloth if it chews them

Placement notes

• Avoid direct sun, air-conditioner airflow and drafts
• Keep in a quiet spot away from dogs, cats and noise

Exercise, free-roam & walks

• 1–2 hours of free exercise daily in a pet-proofed room
• Block cords, houseplants and narrow gaps beforehand
• It crawls under furniture and into sofa gaps, so never look away

Temperature & humidity

Temperature20–25°C is the target. Above 30°C and below 10°C are dangerous

Humidity40–60%. High humidity causes skin and respiratory disease

Summer & winter

• Summer: cool with air conditioning, plus cooling mats and frozen bottles
• Winter: heater and panel heater for warmth. Add extra cloth to the nest

Nail trimming

Trim only the tips about once a month. The quick shows through, so stop short of it; if it resists, have two people hold it

Brushing, skin & coat care

Brush lightly with a soft brush during shedding. Check the back and rear of obese animals that cannot groom

Other care

Check tooth length and nasal airflow weekly. No bathing needed. Wipe dirt with a damp towel

Protection from predators

• Never share a room with dogs, cats or ferrets; isolate them during free-roam time
• Do not take it onto balconies or outdoors. Crows and raptors target it
• Use window screens and clean bedding against mosquitoes and fleas

Foreign-body ingestion

It chews and swallows loose threads, plastic, rubber bands and cords. If appetite or droppings decrease, see a vet the same day

Being stepped on

It tends to come to your feet, so shuffle your feet during free-roam time. If stepped on, check movement and breathing and see a vet the same day

Getting pinched

It crawls into door swings and moving parts of sofas, so prop doors open during free-roam time and check underneath before sitting

Falls

Jumping off sofas and desks easily causes fractures. Do not let it climb high. After a fall, check for limping and see a vet

Escape

It digs through floors and window screens. Seal gaps in the room; if it escapes, set out favorite food and the nest box and wait quietly. Do not chase it

Safe release procedure

1. Stay still and quiet; cover its body with a towel to block its view
2. Offer chew wood or cloth at its mouth so it switches its bite
3. Once it lets go, return it to the cage or nest box and leave it alone for a while
4. In the breeding season (fall–winter), handle with leather gloves and through cloth

After the release

Wash the wound under running water for 5 minutes and disinfect. If deep, swollen or hot, see a doctor

What to tell the vet & what to bring

Report the time of onset, diet, stool photos, weight trend and whether it chews the cage

Checking consciousness, breathing & heartbeat

• Call its name and check for a response and whether it stands up
• Count breaths by chest movement (normal 40–60 per minute)
• Place a hand on the chest to check the heartbeat (200–300 per minute)

Stopping bleeding

• Press the bleeding site firmly with clean gauze for 3–5 minutes
• For a bleeding nail, press on styptic powder or cornstarch
• If it does not stop or bleeding is heavy, keep pressing and go to the vet at once

Transport

• Line a small carrier with cloth and warm with a hot-water bottle
• Keep it dark and quiet; carry level without jolting