Insectivores (other) case method: 50 questions

7 a.m. in April. A 1-year-old male musk shrew has come out of his hide and is crouched in a corner of the cage. Last night you put only a little dry food in the dish before bed, and now the dish is empty. He lifts his head when you call, but when he tries to walk his legs tangle and he falls over. He feels slightly cold to the touch, and his snout is trembling faintly.

Which is the most appropriate first action?

1. Add food to the dish and let him sleep until noon
2. Offer a favorite food at his mouth; if he will not eat, rub sugar water on his gums, keep him warm and see a vet within 1 hour
3. Give only water and wait for him to perk up
4. Film a video and ask fellow keepers on social media what is wrong

AnswerB. Offer a favorite food at his mouth; if he will not eat, rub sugar water on his gums, keep him warm and see a vet within 1 hour

ExplanationMusk shrews have an extremely high metabolism; an empty dish overnight is enough to cause hypoglycemia. Staggering, falling over and a cold body are classic signs, and left untreated it progresses to seizures and death. First offer a favorite food at the mouth; if he cannot eat on his own, rub a thin layer of sugar water on the gums with a fingertip to supply sugar, wrap him in a towel to keep warm and see a vet within 1 hour. Letting him sleep until noon will be too late. Water alone supplies no sugar. There is no time to ask on social media. Even if he eats on his own and starts moving, it is safest to see a vet the same day to confirm the cause.

IssuesToo little food was put out before bed, so the animal fasted overnight. The owner did not know that a few hours of hunger can be fatal for this animal, had only one dish and no habit of checking what was left.

ImprovementSpread food across 2–3 dishes and keep them full; always check the remaining amount before bed and before going out. Keep sugar for making sugar water and a small dropper on hand. Weigh weekly to catch weight loss early.

11 p.m. on a weekday. Overtime made you 5 hours later than planned. You refilled the dry food in the morning, but now the dish is empty and your 8-month-old female is lying on her side at the entrance of her hide. Her eyes are half open, her belly is moving rapidly, but her body is cold. When you touch her with a finger, her legs move slightly.

What is the first action to take in this situation?

1. She is lying on her side, so start cardiac massage
2. Put in a few crickets and watch for 30 minutes to see if she eats
3. Rub sugar water on her gums, keep her warm with a towel and hot-water bottle, and go straight to an emergency (after-hours) animal hospital
4. Decide she is just sleeping and wait until morning

AnswerC. Rub sugar water on her gums, keep her warm with a towel and hot-water bottle, and go straight to an emergency (after-hours) animal hospital

ExplanationLying on her side, cold, with a weak response means advanced hypoglycemia with reduced consciousness: a severe state. While she still responds, rub sugar water on the gums to get sugar in, keep her warm and head to an emergency (after-hours) animal hospital. This animal's heart beats several hundred times a minute and the body is tiny, so chest compressions are very likely to break ribs and must not be done. An animal with reduced consciousness cannot eat on its own; 30 minutes of watching is fatal. Assuming she is asleep and leaving her until morning will certainly kill her. During transport, keep a food dish and a hot-water bottle in the plastic case to keep her warm.

IssuesThere was no food provision for the owner coming home late. The root problem was a routine of refilling once in the morning for an animal that needs refills 3–4 times a day. Heating may also have been switched off at bedtime.

ImprovementWhen going out, put plenty of dry food in several dishes and add an automatic feeder or larger dish. Arrange for family or neighbors to refill when you will be late. Post the emergency hospital's contact details on the cage.

6 a.m. in January. The panel heater's cord came unplugged during the night and the room temperature dropped to 14°C. Your 2-year-old male is curled up in his nesting material, shivering finely. There is food left in the dish, but he does not seem to have touched it. His ears and feet are cold to the touch and he moves sluggishly.

Which is the most appropriate first action?

1. Warm his whole body quickly with warm air from a hair dryer
2. Wrap him in a towel with a hot-water bottle alongside, warm over 30 minutes to 1 hour, and feed as soon as he starts moving
3. Reconnect the heater and let him recover in the cage as is
4. Immerse his body in lukewarm water to warm him

AnswerB. Wrap him in a towel with a hot-water bottle alongside, warm over 30 minutes to 1 hour, and feed as soon as he starts moving

ExplanationMusk shrews do not hibernate; below 20°C, hypothermia and hypoglycemia progress together. Rapid rewarming is dangerous because of blood-pressure swings, so wrap him in a towel with a hot-water bottle alongside and warm gradually over 30 minutes to 1 hour. As soon as he moves, give a favorite food to replace sugar. A hair dryer causes a sudden temperature spike and burns. Reconnecting the heater alone takes too long to warm a chilled body, and hypoglycemia advances meanwhile. Immersing in water makes him colder as the water evaporates, and wet fur will not dry. If he does not start moving within 1 hour of warming, or does not eat, see a vet immediately.

IssuesHeating depended on a single panel heater, so a simple accident like an unplugged cord caused a fatal temperature drop. The room temperature was not checked until morning, and there was no preparation for overnight winter temperature swings.

ImprovementCombine two heat sources such as a panel heater and a heat lamp, install a max-min thermometer and check it every morning. Secure the cord so it cannot come loose and use a thermostat for automatic control. In winter, always check the temperature before bed.

A June evening. Yesterday you started giving your 1-year-old female a new brand of food and raw chicken. Today there are spots of watery stool on the bedding, and the fur around her anus is stained yellow. She has eaten about half her food, but she is less active than usual and has not run on the wheel.

What is the most appropriate response in this situation?

1. Go back to the original food and keep her eating, bring a stool sample and see a vet the same day
2. Crush a small amount of a human anti-diarrheal and give it
3. Fast her for half a day to rest the gut
4. Increase the raw meat to build her strength

AnswerA. Go back to the original food and keep her eating, bring a stool sample and see a vet the same day

ExplanationA sudden food change and raw meat can trigger enteritis. This animal is extremely vulnerable to fasting, so keep her eating the easily digested original food while you bring a stool sample and see a vet the same day to find the cause. A human anti-diarrheal cannot be dosed for an animal weighing a few dozen grams and risks poisoning. Half a day of fasting causes hypoglycemia, which is life-threatening faster than the diarrhea. Raw meat is a source of bacteria such as Salmonella; more of it worsens the symptoms. If watery stool continues, blood appears or she stops eating entirely, see a vet immediately, even at night.

IssuesThe food was switched all at once instead of over several days, and raw meat was added at the same time, making the cause hard to pin down. The owner lacked knowledge of the risk of raw meat and that fasting is contraindicated for this animal.

ImprovementMix new food into the old little by little and switch over about a week. Always cook meat before feeding. Check the stool daily, and look up a nearby hospital in advance so you can be seen the same day if soft stool appears.

A November night. For the past few days your 2.5-year-old male has been leaving the dry food and eating only boiled egg and mealworms. Tonight his mouth is wet with drool, and his right cheek looks slightly puffy. He weighs 3 g less than last week. When you offer a cricket he takes it in his mouth, then shakes his head and spits it out.

What is the most appropriate response in this situation?

1. He is happy with his favorites, so stop the hard food and give only soft items
2. Keep him eating enough with soft food, and see a vet within 2 days to have his mouth examined
3. Put in hard branches or bones to wear down his teeth
4. Force his mouth open to check the swollen cheek yourself and wait for the swelling to go down

AnswerB. Keep him eating enough with soft food, and see a vet within 2 days to have his mouth examined

ExplanationTooth wear and periodontal disease are common in older musk shrews; leaving hard items, drooling and a swollen cheek signal oral pain or an abscess. First keep him eating enough soft food to prevent hypoglycemia, then see a vet within 2 days to have the mouth examined. Simply switching to soft food and leaving it lets the cause progress; by the time he cannot eat, it is too late. More hard food means he eats less because of the pain. Forcing the mouth open risks fractures and bites, and an abscess spreads while you watch the swelling. If he stops eating entirely, see a vet within a few hours.

IssuesThe owner noticed the change in eating for several days but delayed the visit. A habit of monthly mouth checks and weighing would have caught the problem before the drooling began.

ImprovementOnce a month, look at the pet's mouth under good light, and set a rule of seeing a vet within 2 days of any change in eating. Weigh weekly at the same time and record it. Keep soft food on hand in case he cannot eat.

A September night. When you held your 1-year-8-month-old female in your hand, your finger felt a hard lump the size of a grain of rice on the right side of her belly. She is eating and moving as usual, but squirms a little when the lump is touched. You did not notice it when you handled her a month ago. The fur around the lump is thin and the skin is slightly red.

What is the most appropriate response in this situation?

1. She is not in pain, so wait until the checkup in six months
2. Apply an over-the-counter antiseptic daily and see if it heals on its own
3. Squeeze the lump hard to push out the contents
4. Record the location and size, see a vet within a few days and have it checked for a tumor

AnswerD. Record the location and size, see a vet within a few days and have it checked for a tumor

ExplanationMusk shrews are short-lived, and tumors such as mammary tumors increase after 18 months. Small ones can sometimes be removed, so record the lump's location, size and the date found, and see a vet within a few days. Waiting six months can make surgery difficult for a fast-growing tumor. Antiseptic does nothing for a tumor and irritates the skin. Squeezing out the contents causes bleeding and infection, and if it is a tumor may spread it. After the visit, measure monthly to record how fast it grows, and go back if it suddenly enlarges.

IssuesMonthly full-body checks were not established, so when the lump appeared is unknown. There was no checkup plan for the senior stage after 18 months, and the owner did not know this animal is prone to tumors.

ImprovementOn a set day each month, gently feel the whole body and record lumps, hair loss and swelling. After 18 months, get a checkup every six months, and find in advance a hospital that can do tumor surgery on small animals.

A Sunday in March. At the weekly weigh-in, your 1-year-old male has dropped from 62 g last week to 55 g. You refill the food every day and the dish has never been empty. On closer inspection there is a lot of spilled food on the bedding, and his droppings are small and few. His activity is about the same as usual.

What is the most appropriate response in this situation?

1. Double the amount of food and weigh again next week
2. Assume lack of exercise and switch to a bigger wheel
3. Record how much he eats and his droppings, and see a vet within a few days to find the cause
4. He seems fine, so treat it as measurement error, record it and watch

AnswerC. Record how much he eats and his droppings, and see a vet within a few days to find the cause

ExplanationA 10% weight loss in a week is a serious abnormality in a small animal. Even if the dish never empties, lots of spilled food and fewer droppings mean actual intake has fallen. Dental problems, digestive disease or tumors may be hiding, so record the amount eaten and the stool and see a vet within a few days. More food will not stop the loss unless the reason he cannot eat is fixed. Changing the wheel is unrelated to the cause, and more exercise makes him thinner. Even if he looks fine, in this short-lived animal a week's delay can make an irreversible difference.

IssuesWeekly weighing was a good habit, but the owner missed daily changes such as spilled food and fewer droppings, and mistook a never-empty dish for proof that he was eating.

ImprovementPut out a measured amount of food each time and gauge intake from what is left and spilled the next day. Glance at the number and size of droppings daily. Set your own rule: caution at a 5% weight loss, vet visit at 10%.

9 p.m. in December. Your 2-year-old female usually squeaks when you approach the cage, but today she is silent. When she comes out of her hide, her belly is heaving and she is breathing with her mouth slightly open. The cage temperature is 24°C. Only half of today's food has gone.

What is the most appropriate response in this situation?

1. Move the cage to a quiet place, keep the temperature steady, call an emergency (after-hours) animal hospital and go
2. Direct humidifier steam at the cage to ease her breathing
3. Raise the temperature to 30°C so she can rest
4. She is just under the weather, so watch until the next morning

AnswerA. Move the cage to a quiet place, keep the temperature steady, call an emergency (after-hours) animal hospital and go

ExplanationMusk shrews breathe fast normally, but open-mouth breathing with the belly is a sign of respiratory distress, suggesting pneumonia or a chest tumor. Silence and reduced appetite also indicate a serious condition. Avoid stimulation, move the cage to a quiet place, keep the temperature steady, call an emergency (after-hours) animal hospital and go. Direct steam makes breathing harder through sudden changes in temperature and humidity. Raising to 30°C invites heatstroke and worsens the distress. If you wait until morning, this tiny animal may stop breathing during the night. Do not jostle during transport and keep the case dark.

IssuesNoticing the change in vocalization was good, but the owner had never observed her normal breathing and took time to judge whether it was abnormal. There was little awareness that respiratory disease worsens rapidly in this animal.

ImprovementRecord video of her breathing, squeaks and movement when healthy so you can compare. Decide in advance that open-mouth breathing, heavy belly breathing and silence mean an immediate vet visit. Look up two hospitals with after-hours service beforehand.

10 p.m. in May. Hoping to breed them, you put a 1-year-old male and a 10-month-old female in the same cage 3 hours ago. Shrill squeaking continues, and you find bite wounds on the male's back with fur matted with blood. The female is chasing the male, and he is trembling in a corner. There are drops of blood on the bedding.

Which is the most appropriate first action?

1. Separate them into different cages at once, press the bleeding area gently with gauze and check the depth of the wounds
2. Leave them together and watch until mating is over
3. Apply a human antiseptic to the wounds and keep them housed together
4. Put a divider between them and let them spend the night in the same cage

AnswerA. Separate them into different cages at once, press the bleeding area gently with gauze and check the depth of the wounds

ExplanationMusk shrews are solitary and strongly territorial; if they do not get along they fight to the death. Introductions should be brief, and once fighting starts they must be fully separated immediately. Press the bleeding area gently with clean gauze to stop the bleeding and check the depth and number of wounds. Deep bites or bleeding that will not stop mean a vet the same day; even small wounds need a vet if swollen the next day. Waiting for mating leads to fatal injuries. Human antiseptic is harsh, and continued cohabitation means continued attacks. A divider in the same cage keeps them agitated by scent and sound, and they may bite each other again through gaps.

IssuesThe breeding introduction was left for hours without supervision. The basics of this animal's fierce aggression and that introductions must be brief and constantly observed were not followed. No spare cage was ready either.

ImprovementConsult an experienced keeper or vet before breeding, and keep introductions short and always supervised. Have a spare cage and gauze ready for immediate separation. Keep adults one per cage as a rule and do not attempt cohabitation.

A July afternoon. While standing and taking photos of your 1-year-old male on your hand, he suddenly jumped and fell about 1 m onto the wooden floor. He ran off at once, but when you caught him he was dragging his left hind leg without putting it down. He squeaks shrilly when you try to touch it. There is no visible bleeding.

What is the most appropriate response in this situation?

1. Pull the leg gently to put the joint back in place
2. Without handling him, put him in a small plastic case, keep him warm and fed, and see a vet the same day
3. He ran away, so there is no fracture; return him to the cage as usual
4. Make a splint from a chopstick and wrap it around the leg

AnswerB. Without handling him, put him in a small plastic case, keep him warm and fed, and see a vet the same day

ExplanationFor an animal weighing a few dozen grams, a 1 m fall is more than enough to cause a fracture or dislocation. Not bearing weight and squeaking when touched are classic fracture signs; trying to reduce or splint it yourself can let bone ends damage nerves and blood vessels. Without handling, put him in a small case to limit movement, keep him warm and fed, and see a vet the same day. Running away does not rule out a fracture. A chopstick splint can be too tight, cut off blood flow and make things worse as he struggles. Always include a food dish until the visit so he does not go hungry.

IssuesThe owner held him on a hand while standing, underestimating the risk of escape and falling. This animal leaps and bolts quickly, and handling at height was the main cause of the fall.

ImprovementAlways handle while sitting on the floor or over a low table, so a fall is only 10–20 cm. Take photos in the cage, not on your hand. Keep a small case ready to put him in after a fall, and find a hospital that handles orthopedic cases.

An August night. When you grabbed the tail of your 1-year-old female who had escaped from her cage, the tail skin slid off like a sock and the bone at the tip is exposed. Bleeding is light, but she is squeaking loudly and spinning. The shed skin is on the floor, and she keeps turning to look at her tail.

What is the most appropriate response in this situation?

1. Slide the shed skin back on and secure it with tape
2. Wrap the bare part in tissue to dry it and wait until morning
3. Press the bleeding gently with gauze, keep the wound moist and see a vet the same day
4. Cut the tail off yourself with scissors and stop the bleeding

AnswerC. Press the bleeding gently with gauze, keep the wound moist and see a vet the same day

ExplanationTail degloving from grabbing the tail is common in small mammals; the exposed part will die and needs veterinary treatment or amputation. Press the bleeding gently with clean gauze, keep the wound from drying out and see a vet the same day. Replacing the shed skin will not reattach it and causes infection. Drying and leaving it lets necrosis and infection advance and the whole animal deteriorates. Cutting it yourself leads to uncontrolled bleeding, and amputation without anesthesia causes extreme pain and shock. In small animals pain itself can be fatal, so a prompt visit is vital.

IssuesThe owner panicked during the escape and grabbed the tail, not knowing that this animal's tail skin strips off easily and must never be grabbed. The lid lock that should have prevented the escape was also inadequate.

ImprovementTo catch her, scoop up the whole body with both hands or guide her into a plastic case or tube. Never grab the tail. Use a locking cage lid, and keep a tube or deep cup on hand for recapture after an escape.

A February morning. The guard on the heat lamp placed on top of the cage came off, and the bulb was resting directly on the mesh. Your 1.5-year-old male's snout and the pads of his front feet are red and the skin is slightly peeling. The bedding near the bulb is a little scorched. He keeps rubbing his nose with his front paws.

What is the most appropriate response in this situation?

1. Hold ice directly on the affected area to cool it
2. Apply a human burn ointment and watch that he does not rub
3. Move the lamp away, cool the area gently with wet gauze and see a vet the same day
4. It is only red, so leave it and let it heal on its own

AnswerC. Move the lamp away, cool the area gently with wet gauze and see a vet the same day

ExplanationDirect contact with a heat lamp is a classic cause of burns; the skin of the snout and footpads is thin and burns deeply. First remove the heat source and cool gently with damp gauze. A burn with peeling skin easily reduces appetite through infection and pain, so see a vet the same day. Direct ice on a tiny animal causes hypothermia and frostbite. Human burn ointment can be licked off and cause poisoning. Left alone it becomes infected, and a burned nose affects breathing and feeding. During recovery, add soft, easy-to-eat food and make sure he never goes hungry.

IssuesThe heat lamp's guard was not secured properly, and the bulb resting directly on the mesh was overlooked. There was no daily habit of checking the heat source's position and safe distance, so the situation persisted until the bedding scorched.

ImprovementAlways use a heat lamp with a wire guard, keep it well away from the cage and check the mounting daily. Rely mainly on heaters the animal cannot touch, such as a panel heater. Keep clean gauze on hand for burns and check the snout every day.

1 a.m. in October. You were using a hamster wheel with rungs, and a loud clatter woke you. Your 1-year-old female is squeaking with her right front leg caught between the rungs. The leg is bent at an unnatural angle, she cannot free herself, and her squeaks are gradually growing weaker.

Which is the most appropriate first action?

1. Pull the leg out in one tug
2. Remove the wheel and hold it steady, free the leg gently without pressing on it, put her in a small box and head to an emergency (after-hours) animal hospital
3. Keep turning the wheel and wait for the leg to come free on its own
4. It is night, so leave her caught until morning and see the vet first thing

AnswerB. Remove the wheel and hold it steady, free the leg gently without pressing on it, put her in a small box and head to an emergency (after-hours) animal hospital

ExplanationPulling a trapped leg shifts the fracture further and damages nerves and blood vessels. First secure the wheel so it cannot move, look at the direction she is caught and free the leg gently without putting force on it. Then put her in a small box to rest; a fracture reduces appetite through pain and readily leads to hypoglycemia, so keep her warm and fed and head to an emergency (after-hours) animal hospital. Turning the wheel twists the leg. Leaving her trapped until morning cuts off blood flow and the leg dies, while she also goes without food. If you cannot free her, take her to the vet with the wheel attached.

IssuesA wheel with gaps between rungs was being used. The owner did not know that a solid-surface wheel is essential for this fast-moving, thin-legged animal, and had no hospital information ready for a nighttime accident.

ImprovementReplace the wheel with a solid-surface type at least 20 cm in diameter. Check every item in the cage for gaps that could trap a leg or snout. Keep the emergency hospital's contact details, a transport box and a hot-water bottle together as a kit.

A March evening. While cleaning the cage you grabbed your 1-year-old male with your bare hand and he bit the tip of your index finger. His tiny fangs are sunk in deep, and he will not let go even when you try to shake him off. He keeps squeaking and twisting his body, and blood is starting to ooze from your finger.

Which is the most appropriate first action?

1. Keep your hand still, lower it close to the cage floor, bring a favorite food to his nose and withdraw your hand once he lets go
2. Shake your hand hard to fling him off
3. Pry his jaws apart with your other hand
4. Hold your finger under running tap water to startle him into letting go

AnswerA. Keep your hand still, lower it close to the cage floor, bring a favorite food to his nose and withdraw your hand once he lets go

ExplanationIf you shake your hand while he is clamped on, the fall can fracture the animal and your wound tears deeper. First keep your hand still, lower it close to the cage floor to give him an escape route, and bring a favorite food to his nose; most will let go. Withdraw your hand quickly once he releases. If he still will not let go, blow gently on his face. Prying the jaws apart breaks the thin jaw or teeth. Running water startles him into thrashing, risking a fall and a torn wound. Afterward, wash your wound with running water and soap, and see a doctor if swelling or pain persists the next day.

IssuesThe animal was grabbed from above with a bare hand. The owner did not understand that this species reacts strongly to approaches from above, which resemble a predator, and is hard to handle. There was no set procedure for cleaning.

ImprovementDuring cleaning, guide him to enter a tube or small case on his own rather than grabbing. If you must handle bare-handed, scoop from the side with both hands. Share the bite procedure (lower, offer food, blow) with the family and keep soap nearby for washing wounds.

8 a.m. in September. After refilling the food last night you forgot to lock the plastic case lid. This morning the lid is shifted a few centimeters and your 1-year-old female is gone. The room is about 13 square meters (8 tatami mats) with a bookshelf, a bed and a closet. The window is closed, but the door to the hallway was slightly open.

Which is the most appropriate first action?

1. Move all the furniture and keep searching until you find her
2. Close every door, put dishes of favorite food on the floor of each room, wait quietly and search mainly at night
3. An escaped animal can fend for itself, so wait for her to come back
4. Let the cat into the room to find her

AnswerB. Close every door, put dishes of favorite food on the floor of each room, wait quietly and search mainly at night

ExplanationMusk shrews squeeze into gaps of a few millimeters, and the noisier the search, the deeper they hide. First close every door, including to the hallway, to limit her range, and put dishes of favorite food and water on the floor of each room. Narrow down her location from feeding traces and search quietly at night when she is active. Because this animal weakens after a few hours without food, putting out dishes is essential for her survival too. Shifting furniture around risks crushing her in a gap. She cannot fend for herself, and homes hold many dangers such as glue traps and insecticides. The cat is a predator; by the time she is found she would be fatally injured.

IssuesA simple mistake, forgetting to lock the lid, led straight to escape and the risk of starvation. The room had not been prepared for an escape and no capture tools were ready.

ImprovementUse a locking cage lid and make a habit of tugging it with a finger after closing. Keep favorite food and a plastic case ready for escapes, and block the gap under the door. Keep glue traps and rodenticides out of the house.

An April night. When you closed the sliding lid of the tank-style cage, you pinched the torso of your 1.5-year-old male, who had come up to the edge. You opened it immediately, but he lay still for a few seconds, then walked slowly into his hide. His breathing looks fast, but there is no bleeding.

What is the most appropriate response in this situation?

1. He can walk, so decide he is fine and carry on as usual
2. Press on his belly to check the state of his organs yourself
3. Move him in his hide to a quiet place, keep him warm, watch his breathing, gait and appetite; see a vet immediately if anything is wrong, and the same day even if not
4. Give a small amount of a human painkiller for the pain

AnswerC. Move him in his hide to a quiet place, keep him warm, watch his breathing, gait and appetite; see a vet immediately if anything is wrong, and the same day even if not

ExplanationWhen the torso is pinched, there may be organ damage or internal bleeding even without external injury, and a small animal can crash hours later. Move him in his hide to a quiet place, keep him warm, and watch his breathing rate, gait and appetite. If he breathes hard, stops moving or will not eat, see a vet immediately; even if not, it is safest to be seen the same day. Walking does not guarantee the organs are unharmed. Pressing the belly worsens the damage. Human painkillers are dangerous for small animals; many are toxic even in tiny amounts.

IssuesThe owner did not check the animal's position when closing the lid. This animal darts quickly toward the owner's hand or any opening, and there was no set procedure for checking when opening and closing.

ImprovementAlways confirm the animal's position by eye before closing a lid or door; if he is at the edge, lure him to the back with a favorite food first. Choose a cage with a slow-closing hinged lid or a wide top opening. Write the post-pinch observation points on paper and post them.

A June night. You had your 1-year-old female out on the floor to play, and did not notice her at your feet until you lightly stepped on her. She squeaked, ran off and hid under the bed. When you catch her, she squeaks when her left flank is touched, and the inside of her mouth looks slightly red.

Which is the most appropriate first action?

1. She ran away, so it is minor; return her to the cage and watch for a few days
2. Wrap her in a towel, put her in a small box, keep her warm, and call an emergency (after-hours) animal hospital while watching for bleeding from the mouth, breathing and movement
3. Cool the flank with a chilled towel to ease the pain
4. Open her mouth with your finger to find the wound

AnswerB. Wrap her in a towel, put her in a small box, keep her warm, and call an emergency (after-hours) animal hospital while watching for bleeding from the mouth, breathing and movement

ExplanationAn animal weighing a few dozen grams can suffer rib fractures, lung damage and internal bleeding even from a light step. Redness in the mouth may be an oral wound or bleeding from the lungs, and both are urgent. Wrap her in a towel, put her in a small box, keep her warm, and call an emergency (after-hours) animal hospital while watching for bleeding from the mouth, breathing and movement. Running away does not rule out serious injury. Cooling lowers her body temperature and promotes shock. Forcing the mouth open widens the wound and gets you bitten. Include a food dish for transport, keep it dark and do not jostle.

IssuesAn animal that does not need and should not have floor time was let out on the floor. The owner underestimated her habit of darting underfoot and how easily a human foot can fatally injure such a small body.

ImprovementStop floor play; provide exercise with a wheel and foraging in the cage. If she must come out, sit on the floor and keep her inside an enclosure only. Share the no-floor rule with the family and prepare an emergency transport kit.

A May afternoon. When you reached for the plastic case on a 1.2 m shelf, you knocked the whole cage onto the floor. The lid came off and the bedding scattered; your 2-year-old male is lying still in the bedding. He stands when you approach, but favors his right front leg and a little blood is coming from his nose.

What is the most appropriate response in this situation?

1. Wipe the nosebleed with a tissue, put the cage back and watch
2. Pick him up and feel his whole body thoroughly to locate the fracture
3. Scoop him up gently into a small box to rest, keep him warm and fed, see a vet the same day, and immediately if the nosebleed continues
4. Stop putting him on the high shelf, set the cage on the floor and let him settle until the next day

AnswerC. Scoop him up gently into a small box to rest, keep him warm and fed, see a vet the same day, and immediately if the nosebleed continues

ExplanationWhen the whole cage falls, suspect head and organ injuries in addition to the front-leg fracture. Bleeding from the nose may indicate head trauma or lung damage. Without handling, scoop him gently into a small box, keep him warm, put in food and keep him resting while you see a vet the same day. If the nosebleed continues, he breathes hard or stops moving, see a vet immediately. Just wiping the nose and watching misses internal bleeding. Feeling the whole body for the fracture makes him thrash in pain and displaces the bone. Waiting until the next day can be too late for a small animal.

IssuesA light plastic case was kept on a high shelf and fell at a touch. No thought had been given to a location and stable placement where a fall would not harm the animal.

ImprovementKeep the cage on the floor or a low, stable stand with a non-slip mat. A heavy glass tank is harder to knock over, but keep the height below waist level. Consider securing the cage, which also helps in earthquakes.

A November night. You found your escaped 1-year-old male behind the TV, but the insulation on a power cord has been chewed and he is lying beside it with the area around his mouth looking blackened and scorched. He moves slightly when you call and his breathing is fast. The cord is still plugged into the outlet.

Which is the most appropriate first action?

1. Pull him away from the cord by hand right away and pick him up
2. Unplug the cord, then scoop him up, keep him warm and head to an emergency (after-hours) animal hospital
3. Rinse the scorched mouth with water, then watch
4. He can move, so return him to the cage and see the vet the next morning

AnswerB. Unplug the cord, then scoop him up, keep him warm and head to an emergency (after-hours) animal hospital

ExplanationBefore touching an electrocuted animal, always unplug the cord to prevent a second shock. Then scoop him up gently, keep him warm and head to an emergency (after-hours) animal hospital. Electric shock causes not only mouth burns but can cause pulmonary edema and respiratory distress hours later, so it is urgent even if he looks settled. Touching him bare-handed while the cord is live can electrocute you too. Rinsing the mouth with water risks aspiration and does nothing for the lungs. Waiting until morning risks his breathing deteriorating and death overnight. At the vet, report the time of the chewing and the possibility of electric shock.

IssuesOn top of the escape, chewable power cords were left exposed in the room. Both escape prevention and removing hazards in advance in case of escape were lacking.

ImprovementAlways lock the cage lid, and cover cords with cable covers or keep them off the floor in the animal's room. When you notice an escape, check outlets and door gaps first. Share the electric-shock procedure (cut the power first) with the family.

A February night. You were eating chocolate next to the cage when a piece fell in and your 1-year-old female picked it up and ate it. It was a small piece, but she chewed and swallowed it at once. She is moving normally for now, but 30 minutes later foamy drool is coming from her mouth.

What is the most appropriate response in this situation?

1. It was a small amount, so decide it is fine and watch until the next day
2. Give milk to dilute the poison
3. Make her lick salt to induce vomiting
4. Note what she ate, how much and when, and call an emergency (after-hours) animal hospital as soon as the drooling appears

AnswerD. Note what she ate, how much and when, and call an emergency (after-hours) animal hospital as soon as the drooling appears

ExplanationThe compounds in chocolate are toxic to small mammals, and in an animal weighing only a few dozen grams, an amount a person could ignore causes poisoning. Treat the drooling as the start of symptoms: note what, how much and when she ate, call an emergency (after-hours) animal hospital and go. Waiting until the next day lets agitation and seizures progress until it is too late. Milk does not dilute the toxin and causes diarrhea through indigestion. Inducing vomiting with salt risks salt poisoning; although this animal can vomit, never force it at home.

IssuesHuman food was handled next to the cage, creating a situation where it could fall in. The owner did not appreciate that, given her tiny body weight, even a small amount reaches a toxic dose. No hospital had been chosen for poisoning cases.

ImprovementDo not eat or drink near the cage. Close the lid completely so nothing can fall in from above. Post a list of toxic foods such as chocolate, onions, caffeine and avocado, and register an animal hospital you can consult even at night.

A December morning. Half of the cotton bedding you added against the cold has disappeared in 2 days. In your 1.5-year-old male's cage there has been almost no stool since yesterday, and his belly looks round and bloated. He is eating less than half his food and spends most of his time curled up in the hide. He resists having his belly touched.

What is the most appropriate response in this situation?

1. Remove the cotton, and see a vet the same day, bringing the remaining cotton and describing the situation
2. Massage his belly to pass the stool
3. Give cooking oil by mouth as a laxative
4. Remove the cotton and wait 2–3 days for stool to pass

AnswerA. Remove the cotton, and see a vet the same day, bringing the remaining cotton and describing the situation

ExplanationCotton and fine fibers are classic foreign bodies that tangle in the gut and cause obstruction; fewer droppings, a bloated belly and reduced appetite are signs of intestinal blockage. Remove the cotton at once, bring the remaining cotton as a guide to how much was eaten, and see a vet the same day. Massaging the belly can injure the gut and risks rupture. Cooking oil does not clear a blockage and invites aspiration. Waiting 2–3 days lets the gut die, with hypoglycemia from reduced appetite on top. Until the visit, offer soft food he can eat so he does not go hungry.

IssuesCotton bedding was put in the cage. The owner did not know that this animal carries nesting material in its mouth and easily swallows fine fibers. Checking the number of droppings daily would have caught it a day earlier.

ImprovementUse safe nesting material such as tissue, hay or paper chips, not cotton or fabric. Check the number of droppings and belly bloating daily, and set a rule to see a vet the day droppings decrease. Provide winter warmth with a heater, not nesting material.

An August evening. Because of the mosquitoes, you used a spray insecticide in the room with the cage with the windows closed. An hour later, your 1-year-old female is drooling, unsteady on her feet and trembling finely. Spray residue is on the cage mesh.

Which is the most appropriate first action?

1. Move the whole cage to another ventilated room, wipe her body with a damp towel, note the product name and head to an emergency (after-hours) animal hospital
2. Open the windows to ventilate and wait for her to recover in the same room
3. Rinse her whole body in the shower to wash off the chemical
4. Treat the trembling as cold and turn up the heater

AnswerA. Move the whole cage to another ventilated room, wipe her body with a damp towel, note the product name and head to an emergency (after-hours) animal hospital

ExplanationInsecticide ingredients act on the nervous system of small mammals just as they do on insects; drooling, unsteadiness and trembling are signs of poisoning. Immediately move the whole cage to a different, ventilated room, gently wipe chemical off her body with a damp towel, note the product name and head to an emergency (after-hours) animal hospital. Leaving her in the same room means continued inhalation. Wetting her whole body in the shower drops her temperature suddenly and causes shock. Mistaking the trembling for cold and raising the temperature does not help the poisoning and adds heatstroke. Bring the product container to the vet.

IssuesInsecticide was used in the room with the cage. The owner did not realize that insect-eating animals are especially sensitive to insecticides, and skipped the basic precaution of moving the cage before use.

ImprovementDo not use spray insecticides or foggers in a room with animals; control mosquitoes with screens and physical measures. If use is unavoidable, move the cage to another room and ventilate thoroughly before returning it. Keep the container so you can report the product name.

11 p.m. in January. Heavy snow has caused a power outage; the air conditioner and panel heater have stopped. The room temperature has started falling from 20°C and there is no word on when power will return. Your 2-year-old female is still moving normally, but it is below freezing outside and the room looks set to drop into the 10s by morning. All you have on hand is a flashlight.

What is the most appropriate response in this situation?

1. Light candles next to the cage for warmth
2. Place disposable hand warmers directly on the cage floor in contact with her
3. Cover the cage with cloth, place towel-wrapped hot-water bottles or hand warmers against the outside, add extra food and check the temperature every hour
4. Do nothing and assume her body heat will get her through until morning

AnswerC. Cover the cage with cloth, place towel-wrapped hot-water bottles or hand warmers against the outside, add extra food and check the temperature every hour

ExplanationIn musk shrews, hypothermia and hypoglycemia advance rapidly below 20°C. In an outage, cover the cage with cloth to retain heat and place towel-wrapped hot-water bottles or hand warmers against the outside or under the floor so she cannot touch them directly. Cold increases energy use, so add extra food and check a thermometer every hour. Candles risk fire and carbon monoxide. Hand warmers placed directly cause low-temperature burns, consume oxygen and risk suffocation in an enclosed space. Doing nothing means fatal hypothermia by morning.

IssuesThere was no preparation for a winter power outage and no heating method that did not depend on electricity. The owner did not appreciate that this animal is extremely cold-sensitive and that a single night's outage can be fatal.

ImprovementKeep a hot-water bottle, disposable hand warmers, a blanket and a thermometer in one place, and write out an outage heating procedure. Be ready to boil water on a portable gas stove. Consider a backup power supply or a heater that runs from a car's 12 V socket.

3 p.m. in July. The air conditioner's timer switched off while you were out, and when you get home the cage thermometer reads 32°C. Your 1-year-old male is out of his hide, lying flat on his belly on the bedding, breathing fast with his mouth open. The water dish is nearly empty. He moves a little when you call.

Which is the most appropriate first action?

1. Plunge him into ice water to cool him down fast
2. Turn on the air conditioning, move him to a cool room, place a wet towel nearby to cool him gradually, give water and see a vet the same day
3. Keep a fan blowing directly on him
4. He will recover once he cools down, so change the water and go back to work

AnswerB. Turn on the air conditioning, move him to a cool room, place a wet towel nearby to cool him gradually, give water and see a vet the same day

ExplanationAbove 30°C is the heatstroke danger zone, and fast open-mouth breathing is a sign his body temperature is too high. Move him to a cool room, place a wet towel near the cage to lower his temperature gradually, and give water if he can drink. Heatstroke can cause delayed organ damage even when he appears to recover, so see a vet the same day. Ice water causes sudden cooling and vasoconstriction, which is dangerous, and tips a tiny animal into hypothermia. A fan blowing directly on him causes dryness and stress. Going back to work means missing a sudden collapse.

IssuesThe owner went out without checking the air conditioner's timer setting and did not anticipate the room heating up in summer. The water supply was also inadequate, and awareness of this heat-sensitive animal's limit temperature was lacking.

ImprovementIn summer, run the air conditioner continuously and do not use the timer. Install a thermometer you can check remotely or an alert for when it stops. Provide two water dishes, and be ready to place towel-wrapped ice packs against the outside of the cage.

8 p.m. in March. An intensity-6 earthquake has toppled shelves; the cage is intact but the room is in chaos. Aftershocks continue and the municipality has issued an evacuation order. The shelter is a 20-minute walk and it is 5°C outside. Your 2-year-old female musk shrew is frightened and will not come out of her hide. You have a week's supply of dry food.

What is the most appropriate response in this situation?

1. Leave the animal at home with a heaped food dish and evacuate alone
2. Move her in her hide to a small plastic case, warm it with a hot-water bottle, and evacuate together with food, water and a thermometer
3. Pets are not allowed in the shelter, so leave her in the car in her cage
4. She is frightened, so wait at home until she calms down before considering evacuation

AnswerB. Move her in her hide to a small plastic case, warm it with a hot-water bottle, and evacuate together with food, water and a thermometer

ExplanationLeaving at home an animal that can die after a few hours without food means death when aftershocks or an outage interrupt feeding. The basic approach is to move her in her hide to a small plastic case, warm it with a towel-wrapped hot-water bottle, and evacuate together with a week's dry food, water and a thermometer. Even if animals are not allowed in the shelter's living areas, consult the reception desk and keep her warm somewhere under a roof. A heaped dish spoils or tips over and becomes inedible. Leaving her in the car means hypothermia in the night cold. Delaying evacuation because she is frightened exposes both of you to collapse and gas leaks.

IssuesThe owner had not looked into how shelters handle animals or the procedure for evacuating with a pet, and hesitated. There was no way to keep her warm and fed without electricity, and no go-bag ready.

ImprovementCheck your municipality's rules for evacuating with pets, and pack a transport case, hot-water bottle, hand warmers, a week's dry food, water and a thermometer in a go-bag. Keep the cage in a low spot where it cannot tip over. Practice the evacuation once a year.

An October afternoon. You drove 40 minutes to the animal hospital for a checkup and came home. Your 1-year-old male vomited twice in the case and has not touched his food since getting home. The vet found nothing abnormal. The vomit was undigested food, and he is now sitting still in a corner of the case. It has been an hour since you got home.

What is the most appropriate response in this situation?

1. He vomited, so fast him until evening to rest his stomach
2. Give a small amount of a human motion-sickness pill as an antiemetic
3. Settle him in a quiet, dark place, offer a favorite food at his nose to see if he eats, and call the hospital if he has not eaten in 1–2 hours
4. Put him back in the car and return to the hospital at once

AnswerC. Settle him in a quiet, dark place, offer a favorite food at his nose to see if he eats, and call the hospital if he has not eaten in 1–2 hours

ExplanationUnlike rodents, musk shrews can vomit, and they are known to get motion sickness from car vibration. If the exam found nothing, vomiting from the stress of travel is likely, but this animal is extremely vulnerable to fasting, so settle him in a quiet, dark place, then offer a favorite food at his nose and see if he eats. If he has not eaten after 1–2 hours there is a risk of hypoglycemia, so call the hospital. Fasting him because he vomited is the most dangerous response for this animal. Human motion-sickness pills cannot be dosed correctly and cause poisoning. Putting him straight back in the car makes him sick and vomit again.

IssuesThe owner did not know travel causes vomiting and loss of appetite, and had no plan for feeding after getting home. Neither his tendency to motion sickness nor his inability to tolerate fasting was understood.

ImprovementFor vet trips, cover the case to keep it dark, place it in the footwell where there is less motion, and have a favorite food ready before and after. After getting home, let him rest quietly for about an hour, then check whether he eats. Ask at the appointment whom to contact if he will not eat.

The June rainy season. The fur on your 1-year-old female is thinning from her back to her flanks, and white dandruff is falling onto the bedding. She scratches constantly, and the skin around the scent glands on her flanks is red and raw. The cage is damp and the bedding has not been changed for a week. Her appetite is unchanged.

What is the most appropriate response in this situation?

1. Apply a human anti-itch cream
2. Wash her whole body in lukewarm water to clean her
3. Treat the hair loss as seasonal shedding and leave it
4. Replace all the bedding to reduce damp, handle her with gloves, and see a vet within a few days for a skin test

AnswerD. Replace all the bedding to reduce damp, handle her with gloves, and see a vet within a few days for a skin test

ExplanationDamp, unhygienic bedding causes mites, ringworm and bacterial dermatitis. Hair loss, dandruff, itching and raw skin around the scent glands are classic skin disease, and a microscope test is needed to confirm the cause. Replace all the bedding to reduce damp, and because it may be transmissible to people, handle her with gloves and see a vet within a few days. Human anti-itch cream can be licked off and cause poisoning. Washing makes a small animal lose body heat and worsens the skin. This animal does not shed widely with the seasons; left alone it spreads over the whole body and leads to loss of appetite.

IssuesVentilation and bedding changes were inadequate for the high humidity of the rainy season, and the bedding was left for a week. Despite this being a strong-smelling animal, cleaning was infrequent and there was no habit of checking the skin.

ImprovementSpot-change soiled bedding daily and do a full change twice a week in the rainy season. Place a hygrometer and dehumidify above 60%. Check the skin and coat weekly, and treat hair loss or dandruff as a reason to see a vet within a few days. Keep gloves on hand in case of transmissible skin disease.

A September night. Your 2.5-year-old male has dropped from 70 g to 58 g in a month; his coat is scruffy and you can feel his spine. He eats, but only half as much as before, and he drinks a lot of water. He spends more time sleeping in his hide and hardly uses the wheel anymore.

What is the most appropriate response in this situation?

1. It is old age and cannot be helped, so do nothing in particular
2. Add high-calorie treats while recording how much he eats and drinks, and see a vet within a few days
3. He is thin, so let him play on the floor to get more exercise
4. Give several supplements and watch

AnswerB. Add high-calorie treats while recording how much he eats and drinks, and see a vet within a few days

ExplanationMusk shrews live 2–3 years, so 2.5 years is old age. But the combination of weight loss, drinking a lot and reduced activity often hides kidney disease, tumors or dental problems, not just aging. Support his weight with easy-to-eat, nutrient-dense food while recording intake and water consumption, see a vet within a few days to find the cause, and discuss treatment that can ease it. Doing nothing misses a treatable disease. More exercise speeds the decline, and the floor invites accidents. Multiple supplements have no proven effect and, given without reason, are a burden.

IssuesA loss of nearly 20% of body weight in a month was put down to aging, delaying the vet visit. There was no habit of recording weight and water intake once he reached old age, so changes were not captured in numbers.

ImprovementAfter age 2, record weight weekly and water intake several times a week, and see a vet at a 10% loss. Prepare soft, easy-to-eat food for old age and remove steps at the hide and feeding area. Discuss a plan with the vet in advance, including palliative care.

A May morning. Your 1-year-old female gave birth to 5 young 4 days ago. This morning 2 of the young are gone, the mother is staggering outside the hide, and the food dish was empty. The 3 remaining young keep squeaking in the nest. Last night the family repeatedly peered into the cage and took photos.

What is the most appropriate response in this situation?

1. To prevent more cannibalism, remove the remaining young from the mother and hand-rear them
2. Cover the cage with cloth, move it to a quiet place, give the mother plenty of high-protein food, and see a vet the same day if her staggering continues
3. Scold the mother and keep her away from the hide
4. Move the cage to an even brighter spot and check on mother and young every hour

AnswerB. Cover the cage with cloth, move it to a quiet place, give the mother plenty of high-protein food, and see a vet the same day if her staggering continues

ExplanationRight after birth, the mother burns huge amounts of energy nursing; when food runs out and stress piles on, she may eat her young or become hypoglycemic herself. The family's constant peering and photographing is a major stressor. Cover the cage with cloth, move it to a quiet place, and give the mother plenty of high-protein food and water. Her staggering is most likely hypoglycemia; if it does not improve after she eats, see a vet the same day. Hand-rearing 4-day-old young is extremely difficult, and separating them from the mother will most likely lose the rest. Scolding is meaningless and adds stress. A bright spot and frequent checks are counterproductive.

IssuesThe owner went ahead with breeding without understanding the mother's nutritional needs after birth and her low tolerance for stress. Food ran out and limits on family contact were not enforced.

ImprovementConsult a vet or experienced keeper before breeding. Around the birth, double food and water, cover the cage with cloth and limit looking in to once a day for a short time. Share the contact rules with the family and record the mother's weight and appetite daily.

An April night. You found your escaped 1-year-old male in the mouth of the household cat. When you take him away, there are two small puncture-like wounds on his back oozing a little blood. He is trembling and not moving, but he is breathing. You cannot tell how deep the wounds are.

Which is the most appropriate first action?

1. The wounds are small, so disinfect and watch
2. Cat bite wounds are deep and heavily contaminated even when small, so press with gauze, keep him warm and head to an emergency (after-hours) animal hospital
3. Open up the wounds and flush them out
4. To calm the shock, give sugar water to drink and let him sleep until morning

AnswerB. Cat bite wounds are deep and heavily contaminated even when small, so press with gauze, keep him warm and head to an emergency (after-hours) animal hospital

ExplanationCat bites are deep even when the entry is small, and bacteria in the saliva are driven deep into the wound, so infection is almost certain. In an animal weighing a few dozen grams, simply being carried in the mouth can cause rib and organ damage and severe shock. Press gently with gauze to stop the bleeding, wrap him in a towel to keep him warm and head to an emergency (after-hours) animal hospital. Disinfecting and watching leads to a sudden crash from an abscess or sepsis within hours to a day. Opening the wounds increases bleeding and pain. Giving sugar water to drink in shock causes aspiration, and infection and organ damage progress while you wait until morning.

IssuesAn escape was allowed in a house with a cat, a predator. The cage lock was not reliable, and the basic isolation of keeping him in a room the cat cannot enter was not in place. The danger of cat bites was also underestimated.

ImprovementKeep the cage in a room the cat cannot enter and keep the door closed at all times. Use a locking lid and check it every time. Even the cat approaching the cage is stressful, so block scent and sight lines too. Decide in advance that bite wounds mean an immediate vet visit.

A November night. A hind claw of your 1-year-old female caught in the fleece you added against the cold, and as she struggled free the claw broke off at the base. Blood is coming from the toe and dotting the bedding. She is walking while licking the foot, but the blood trail on the floor keeps growing.

What is the most appropriate response in this situation?

1. Press gently with clean gauze for 2–3 minutes to stop the bleeding, and see a vet the same day if it does not stop or swelling appears
2. Rub a human styptic into the wound
3. Tie a rubber band around the toe to stop the bleeding
4. Spray antiseptic on it, put the fabric back and watch until morning

AnswerA. Press gently with clean gauze for 2–3 minutes to stop the bleeding, and see a vet the same day if it does not stop or swelling appears

ExplanationEven a small bleed from the base of a claw is a larger share of blood than it looks in such a small animal. Press gently with clean gauze for 2–3 minutes, using only pinching pressure, to stop the bleeding. If it does not stop, swells or she stops bearing weight, see a vet the same day. Human styptics can be licked off and cause poisoning, and antiseptic is harsh and slows healing. A rubber band cuts off blood flow and the toe dies. Returning the fabric that caused it means she catches again. After the bleeding stops, remove anything that can snag and switch to tissue or paper nesting material.

IssuesA fabric item that can catch claws was used as bedding. The owner did not know that fine claws easily tangle in woven fabric and relied on nesting material for winter warmth. No gauze was ready for stopping bleeding.

ImprovementDo not use fabric; use nesting material that cannot snag, such as tissue, paper chips or hay. Provide warmth with a heater. Keep clean gauze in the first-aid kit and share the bleeding-control procedure with the family. Have the vet trim long claws.

A February morning. Your 1.5-year-old male, kept in a wire cage, has lost the fur on his snout; the skin is red, scraped raw and oozing a little blood. The sound of him chewing the mesh continued through the night. He resists having the area around his nose touched, but is eating normally. There was blood on part of the mesh.

What is the most appropriate response in this situation?

1. Coat the mesh with a bitter liquid to break the chewing habit
2. Apply a human ointment to the wound and leave the mesh as is
3. Move him to a glass tank or plastic case he cannot chew, and see a vet within a few days if the wound does not heal or spreads
4. He is bleeding, so protect the snout with tape

AnswerC. Move him to a glass tank or plastic case he cannot chew, and see a vet within a few days if the wound does not heal or spreads

ExplanationMusk shrews have a long, soft snout that scrapes raw easily when they chew or rub on wire mesh. Repeated, it leads to nasal deformity and infection. The real fix is to stop using a wire cage and move him to a glass tank or a plastic case with small ventilation holes. See a vet if the wound does not heal in a few days, spreads or he develops a runny nose. A bitter liquid gets licked, upsets him and irritates the nose wound. Human ointment can be licked off and cause poisoning. Tape on the snout obstructs breathing and smell and damages the skin when removed. The chewing itself is also a sign of stress or lack of exercise.

IssuesThe owner did not know wire cages are unsuitable for this animal and did not address the cause despite hearing the chewing. There was little awareness that the snout is a vital part directly tied to breathing and feeding.

ImprovementSwitch to a tank or plastic case and do not use wire. Treat chewing as a sign of lack of exercise or boredom, and add a wheel and foraging play. Check the snout and front feet daily, and review the setup if there are scrapes.

An August night. Your 2-year-old female jumped off the wheel in her cage and hit her face on the hard edge of the food dish. A little blood is coming from her mouth, and on closer inspection one upper front tooth is broken. She paws at her mouth, and when you offer a cricket she will not take it.

What is the most appropriate response in this situation?

1. Teeth grow back, so watch with her usual food
2. Pull out the broken tooth yourself to stop the bleeding
3. Wipe the blood with a cotton swab and give only hard food to strengthen the teeth
4. Check whether she can eat softened food, and see a vet the same day to have the tooth and mouth examined

AnswerD. Check whether she can eat softened food, and see a vet the same day to have the tooth and mouth examined

ExplanationUnlike rodents, a musk shrew's teeth do not keep growing, and a broken tooth does not come back. With injury to the root or inside the mouth, pain stops her eating and she becomes hypoglycemic within hours. First check whether she can eat soft food such as soaked pellets or boiled egg, and see a vet the same day to have the tooth and any oral wounds examined. There is no regrowth, so leaving it is dangerous. Pulling the tooth yourself causes bleeding and infection. Hard food cannot be eaten because of the pain and does not strengthen teeth. If she cannot eat, see a vet within a few hours.

IssuesThe hard edge of the food dish was under the wheel, so she hit her face on landing. The owner did not know this animal's teeth do not regenerate and did not understand that a mouth injury means immediate fasting.

ImprovementKeep hard objects away from the wheel and place the food dish low against a wall. Keep ingredients for soft food on hand. Decide that dental injuries mean a same-day vet visit, and make checking the mouth a monthly habit.

A January night. The water bottle broke, so you put water in a deep ceramic dish instead. Your 1-year-old male fell into it and is now drenched and shivering on the bedding. The room is 23°C, but his body is cold and his fur is clumped with skin showing through. He is sluggish and wobbles when he tries to walk.

Which is the most appropriate first action?

1. Blot him gently with a dry towel, warm him gradually in a case with a hot-water bottle, and feed once he starts moving
2. Dry him quickly with warm air from a hair dryer
3. He will dry naturally, so return him to the cage wet
4. Immerse him in warm water to warm him back up

AnswerA. Blot him gently with a dry towel, warm him gradually in a case with a hot-water bottle, and feed once he starts moving

ExplanationA small animal loses body heat rapidly when wet and becomes hypothermic even at 23°C. Blot the water off gently with a dry towel, put him in a case with a towel-wrapped hot-water bottle and warm him gradually. As soon as he moves, feed him to replace the sugar burned by the cold. A hair dryer burns with hot air and its noise is highly stressful. Returning him wet means further heat loss from evaporation and death. Immersing in warm water wets him more and he chills rapidly once out. If he is not moving normally after 1 hour, see a vet.

IssuesA deep water dish was used instead of the bottle, creating a situation he could not climb out of. The owner did not appreciate that drowning or hypothermia from getting wet is life-threatening for this animal.

ImprovementUse a shallow dish or a low, heavy dish for water; never a deep container. Keep a spare water bottle so you can replace a broken one at once. Include the drying and warming procedure and a hot-water bottle in the winter first-aid kit.

An August afternoon. Your 5-year-old child was holding your 1-year-old female in the palm and squeezed hard when she tried to escape. After being released, she lay on her side without moving for a few seconds, then slowly got up. She is breathing fast with her mouth open and walking unsteadily.

What is the most appropriate response in this situation?

1. She got up, so she is fine; let the child hold her gently once more
2. Put her in a small box, dark and quiet, watch her breathing and movement; see a vet immediately if open-mouth breathing or unsteadiness continues, and the same day even if it settles
3. Give her lots of favorite food right away to cheer her up
4. Press lightly on her belly to help her breathe

AnswerB. Put her in a small box, dark and quiet, watch her breathing and movement; see a vet immediately if open-mouth breathing or unsteadiness continues, and the same day even if it settles

ExplanationA hard squeeze on the chest causes rib fractures, lung damage and internal bleeding, which can be fatal in an animal weighing a few dozen grams. Fast open-mouth breathing is a sign of respiratory distress. Put her in a small box, dark and quiet, and watch her breathing and movement. If open-mouth breathing or unsteadiness continues or she stops moving, see a vet immediately; even if she settles, have her chest examined the same day. Letting the child hold her again is out of the question. Feeding during respiratory distress causes aspiration, and pressing the belly widens organ and lung damage. Keep her warm, do not jostle during transport and include a food dish.

IssuesA young child was allowed to hold the animal. At that age the child cannot control grip strength, and a small, fast animal tries to flee when startled, so contact without adult control leads directly to accidents.

ImprovementIn homes with children, allow touching only inside the cage with an adult's hand guiding, and do not let children pick her up. Do contact sitting on the floor at a height where a fall is harmless. Write the post-accident observation points on paper and post them.

An October night. While searching for your escaped 1.5-year-old male, you heard a shriek from the back of a dresser as you closed a drawer. When you pull the drawer out, his hind leg is caught in the drawer rail and will not come free, and he is thrashing violently. The tip of the foot looks purple.

Which is the most appropriate first action?

1. Pull the drawer out further and yank the leg free with the momentum
2. Thrashing makes it worse, so leave him for tens of minutes until he calms down
3. The purple foot is worrying, so massage the leg first to restore blood flow
4. Keep the drawer still, wrap his body in cloth to stop the thrashing, widen the rail gap or take it apart to free the leg, and see a vet the same day

AnswerD. Keep the drawer still, wrap his body in cloth to stop the thrashing, widen the rail gap or take it apart to free the leg, and see a vet the same day

ExplanationPulling a trapped leg causes fractures and further lacerations. First keep the drawer still and cover his body with cloth to block his view and calm the thrashing. Then widen the rail gap or remove the drawer to release the leg without putting force on it. A purple foot means blood flow has stopped; if prolonged, the tissue dies, so see a vet the same day once he is free. Yanking with the drawer's momentum is the worst response. Leaving him for tens of minutes prolongs the loss of blood flow. Massaging a trapped leg does not restore flow and makes him thrash harder in pain. Keep him warm and fed afterward, and see a vet immediately if the color does not return or he cannot walk.

IssuesFurniture was being operated without realizing he had escaped. There was no awareness of checking before opening or closing furniture as part of the escape search, and little understanding of how easily his thin legs get caught in furniture gaps.

ImprovementDuring an escape, always check by voice or sound for his whereabouts before opening or closing drawers, doors or closets. Block furniture gaps and search quietly at night. Lock the cage reliably so escapes do not happen in the first place.

A September evening. To save on food costs, you fed your 1-year-old female grasshoppers and crickets caught in the yard. The neighbors had sprayed herbicide on their yard just that weekend. Two hours after eating, she is drooling, trembling finely and unsteady on her feet.

What is the most appropriate response in this situation?

1. Put a finger in her mouth to make her vomit
2. Head to an emergency (after-hours) animal hospital with the leftover insects and the details, and never feed wild-caught insects again
3. The trembling is cold, so turn up the heater
4. Make her drink lots of water to dilute the poison and watch until morning

AnswerB. Head to an emergency (after-hours) animal hospital with the leftover insects and the details, and never feed wild-caught insects again

ExplanationWild insects can carry pesticides and herbicides in their bodies, and feeding them to an insect-eating animal causes poisoning. Drooling, trembling and unsteadiness show effects on the nervous system; left untreated it progresses to seizures and death. Head to an emergency (after-hours) animal hospital with the leftover insects and the herbicide information. Putting a finger in her mouth gets you bitten and causes aspiration. Mistaking the trembling for cold and raising the temperature adds heatstroke. Water does not dilute the toxin, and waiting until morning is too late. Wild insects also carry parasites, so feed only commercial feeder insects from now on.

IssuesWild insects were fed to save money. The owner lacked knowledge of pesticide, herbicide and parasite risks, and that insect-eating animals are especially vulnerable to insecticidal compounds. The neighbors' herbicide spraying was not checked either.

ImprovementUse only feeder insects bred for the purpose from a reliable shop. Plan a sustainable food budget combining dry food and insects. Post a list of poisoning symptoms and the emergency hospital's contact details, and keep a record of what was fed.

A March night. Your 1-year-old male looked a little limp, and a family member, thinking he might have a fever, crushed a human fever-reducing painkiller into water and gave a small amount with a dropper. An hour later, he is limper and breathing faster. His mouth is wet with the medicine.

What is the most appropriate response in this situation?

1. The medicine has just made him sleepy, so let him sleep until morning
2. Give milk to counteract the drug
3. Note the drug's name, dose and time, take the box and head to an emergency (after-hours) animal hospital
4. Give more lukewarm water to dilute the drug

AnswerC. Note the drug's name, dose and time, take the box and head to an emergency (after-hours) animal hospital

ExplanationHuman fever-reducing painkillers contain compounds highly toxic to small mammals; in an animal weighing a few dozen grams, even a tiny amount causes liver and kidney damage and stomach bleeding. With symptoms worsening, note the drug's name, dose and time, take the box and head to an emergency (after-hours) animal hospital. Assuming he is just sleepy and leaving him lets the organ damage progress. Milk does not neutralize the drug and causes indigestion. Lukewarm water has no diluting effect, and forcing fluids into a limp animal causes aspiration. The original limpness was most likely hypoglycemia or hypothermia; giving human medicine on your own judgment is strictly forbidden.

IssuesA human medicine was used for the animal's illness. The family did not share the understanding that human drugs can be deadly poison to small mammals, and that judging fever or body temperature at home is itself difficult.

ImprovementConfirm with the whole family the rule of never giving human medicines or supplements to the animal, and store medicines out of reach. Write the procedure for a limp animal (feed, warm, see a vet) on paper and post it, and register a hospital you can consult at night.

Noon in August. Moving house, you were transporting your 1-year-old female by car in a plastic case and stopped at a convenience store for 30 minutes with the engine off and the windows slightly open. When you return, the case is hot to the touch; she is lying flat, breathing fast with her mouth open, and drooling.

Which is the most appropriate first action?

1. Turn the air conditioning to maximum and hold the case right against the vent
2. Hold an ice pack directly against her body to cool her
3. Move to shade, cool her gradually in the air-conditioned car, give water if she can drink, and drive straight to the nearest animal hospital
4. Open the windows fully and wait for her to cool naturally

AnswerC. Move to shade, cool her gradually in the air-conditioned car, give water if she can drink, and drive straight to the nearest animal hospital

ExplanationA car in summer exceeds 40°C within minutes, and a small animal gets heatstroke in a short time. Fast open-mouth breathing and drooling are signs of a severe case. First move the car into shade, lower her temperature gradually in the air-conditioned car, give water if she can drink, and drive straight to the nearest animal hospital. Heatstroke needs a vet because organ damage can appear later even when she seems to recover. Holding the case against the vent or an ice pack directly on her causes sudden cooling and vasoconstriction, which is dangerous, and tips a tiny animal into hypothermia. Opening the windows and waiting cools her too slowly and her breathing may stop.

IssuesThe danger of leaving an animal in a summer car was underestimated, with the mistaken belief that slightly open windows were safe. The travel plan did not include the animal's temperature control or anticipate leaving the car en route.

ImprovementNever leave the animal in the car during summer travel. If you must stop, have someone stay in the car or carry the case with you. Place a towel-wrapped ice pack beside the case and put a thermometer inside. Look up animal hospitals along the route before leaving.

A June morning. It has rained for a week; droplets have formed inside the glass tank and the bedding is damp. The hygrometer reads 80%, and the cage smells stronger than usual. Your 1-year-old male is lively, but part of the bedding has darkened and shows white mold-like spots. The room is 26°C.

What is the most appropriate response in this situation?

1. Replace all the bedding, bring humidity below 60% with a dehumidifier or the air conditioner's dry mode, and improve the tank's ventilation
2. Spray deodorizer inside the cage to kill the smell
3. Raise the temperature to drive off the damp
4. He is lively, so wait until the weekend cleaning

AnswerA. Replace all the bedding, bring humidity below 60% with a dehumidifier or the air conditioner's dry mode, and improve the tank's ventilation

ExplanationAn environment at 80% humidity breeds mold, bacteria and mites, causing dermatitis and respiratory disease. Once the bedding darkens and mold is visible, the environment is at its limit. Replace all the bedding, bring humidity below 60% with a dehumidifier or the air conditioner's dry mode, and switch the tank lid to a ventilated one. Deodorizer makes him ill when licked or inhaled and does nothing about the humidity. Raising the temperature worsens the stuffiness and adds heatstroke risk. Even if he is lively, a few days amid mold affects skin and airways. The odor of an animal with scent glands is managed by cleaning and ventilation, not deodorizer.

IssuesHumidity control for the rainy season had not been considered, and the hygrometer reading was seen but not acted on. There was no countermeasure for the fact that glass tanks ventilate poorly and condense easily.

ImprovementCheck the hygrometer daily and dehumidify above 60%. In the rainy season, increase bedding changes to twice a week and do not lay it too thick. Use a wire or mesh tank lid for ventilation, and use absorbent paper bedding or chips.

A July holiday. Walking a mountain trail with the family, you find a small animal with a long pointed snout crouched weakly by the path. Your child says it looks like your pet musk shrew and wants to pick it up bare-handed and take it home. Several small black specks are attached to the animal's body.

What is the most appropriate response in this situation?

1. Take it home and keep it in the same cage as your pet
2. Pick it up bare-handed and take it to a nearby animal hospital
3. Even if leaving it there, do not touch it and move away; anyone who touched it bare-handed washes with soap, and if concerned, consult the municipal office or wildlife protection desk
4. Take it home, settle it in a separate cage and then breed it

AnswerC. Even if leaving it there, do not touch it and move away; anyone who touched it bare-handed washes with soap, and if concerned, consult the municipal office or wildlife protection desk

ExplanationJapan's wild shrews and white-toothed shrews are covered by the Wildlife Protection and Hunting Management Act, and may not be captured or kept without a permit. Wild animals also carry ticks (the black specks are most likely ticks), internal parasites and bacteria, with the risk of diseases transmissible to people such as tick-borne infections. Do not touch it and move away; anyone who touched it washes with soap. For a weakened wild animal, consult the municipal office or wildlife protection desk. Taking it home to keep is illegal, and housing it with your pet spreads parasites and disease. Carrying it bare-handed to a hospital also risks infection, and most hospitals do not accept wild animals. Breeding is out of the question.

IssuesThe family did not distinguish wild species from pets and did not know about the Wildlife Protection and Hunting Management Act or the infection risks of wild animals. No one judged to stop the child before touching it bare-handed.

ImprovementObtain pets only from laboratory-bred lines or legitimate sellers, and agree as a family not to touch or take home wild animals. Look up whom to contact when you find a weakened animal outdoors. Wash hands thoroughly after outdoor activities and watch for ticks.

An August night. You had your elementary-school child wash the cage dishes in the kitchen sink and feed mealworms bare-handed. For 2 days the child has had a fever and diarrhea. Your 1-year-old male pet has had soft stool for the past few days but seems lively, though the area around his anus is slightly soiled.

What is the most appropriate response in this situation?

1. Take the child to the pediatrician and mention the pet; take the pet to the vet with a stool sample too; and have an adult do the care with gloves
2. The pet is lively, so treat it as unrelated and have only the child seen
3. Make giving up the pet the top priority
4. Disinfecting the cage with bleach will solve it, so no doctor is needed

AnswerA. Take the child to the pediatrician and mention the pet; take the pet to the vet with a stool sample too; and have an adult do the care with gloves

ExplanationSmall mammals and feeder insects can carry bacteria such as Salmonella, and washing equipment in the kitchen and feeding bare-handed are routes of infection to people. The child's fever and diarrhea may be a zoonotic infection, so be sure to tell the pediatrician about the pet, and take the pet to the vet with a soft-stool sample for testing. Until the source is confirmed, have an adult do the care with gloves and wash equipment somewhere other than the kitchen. A lively pet can still shed bacteria. Decide about rehoming only after the cause is known; disinfection alone does not treat the child.

IssuesBasic hygiene was not followed: washing equipment in the kitchen, feeding bare-handed and leaving the care entirely to a child. The pet's soft stool, a sign of infection, was also missed.

ImprovementWash equipment somewhere other than the kitchen and always wash hands with soap after care. Have an adult supervise a child's care, and have adults handle insects and feces with gloves. Treat the pet's soft stool as a matter of human health too and see a vet early.

A May morning. The 6-month-old female you brought home a month ago has hair loss and dandruff on her back, and you have been handling her bare-handed every day without worrying about it. This morning two itchy, ring-shaped rashes with red edges have appeared on your forearm. The pet's bald patch is gradually spreading and the dandruff is increasing.

What is the most appropriate response in this situation?

1. Apply an over-the-counter anti-itch cream to the rash and watch
2. Treat the pet's hair loss as unrelated and have only your own skin seen by a dermatologist
3. Wash the pet and wait to see if the rash disappears
4. See a dermatologist yourself and take the pet to the vet; handle her with gloves until the cause is known, and clean the cage and equipment

AnswerD. See a dermatologist yourself and take the pet to the vet; handle her with gloves until the cause is known, and clean the cage and equipment

ExplanationA ring-shaped rash with red edges is classic ringworm (a fungal skin disease), and the pet's hair loss and dandruff are the likely source. The person goes to a dermatologist and the pet to the vet for diagnosis and treatment. Until the cause is known, handle the pet with gloves, clean the cage and equipment, and change the bedding. Anti-itch cream alone does not cure the fungus and it spreads. Leaving the pet untreated means repeated reinfection. Washing a small animal risks hypothermia and is not a treatment. Newly acquired animals can bring in skin disease and parasites, so a checkup on arrival is important.

IssuesThe owner noticed the new animal's hair loss and dandruff but did not see a vet and handled her bare-handed daily. No checkup or skin test was done on arrival, and there was no knowledge of skin diseases transmissible to people.

ImprovementHave new animals checked within a week of arrival, including skin and parasite tests. Handle animals with hair loss or dandruff with gloves, and keep children and the elderly from touching them until healed. Always wash hands after care and clean bedding and equipment frequently.

A November night. You keep 3 animals in separate cages, but the cages sit side by side on the same shelf and the equipment is washed together. Today one has watery stool and a soiled anus. The other 2 are lively. When cleaning, you always go around all 3 cages in turn with the same gloves and scoop.

What is the most appropriate response in this situation?

1. Isolate the one with diarrhea in another room, separate the equipment per animal, care for the healthy ones first, and take the sick one to the vet the same day with a stool sample
2. If all 3 have the same disease they can be treated together, so put them in one cage
3. Fast only the one with diarrhea until it clears up
4. Spray disinfectant into all the cages and keep cleaning with the same equipment

AnswerA. Isolate the one with diarrhea in another room, separate the equipment per animal, care for the healthy ones first, and take the sick one to the vet the same day with a stool sample

ExplanationInfectious diarrhea spreads to other animals via equipment and hands. Isolate the one with diarrhea in another room, separate the equipment per animal, and care for the healthy ones first, handling the isolated one last. The sick one is vulnerable to fasting, so keep feeding it and take it to the vet the same day with a stool sample. Putting solitary animals in one cage leads to fighting, injury and death. Fasting causes hypoglycemia, which is life-threatening faster than the diarrhea. Spraying disinfectant into occupied cages causes poisoning by inhalation or licking, and cleaning with the same equipment spreads the infection. Check the other 2 animals' stool daily and see a vet if anything changes.

IssuesWhile keeping several animals, the owner shared equipment and went around with the same gloves, a practice that spreads infection. The basic hygiene rules of multi-animal keeping, such as an isolation room, spare equipment and an order of care, were missing.

ImprovementPrepare a color-coded scoop, dish and gloves for each animal, and care for healthy ones first. Decide on an isolation case and room in advance. Keep new animals in a separate room for 2 weeks before moving them into the same room. Check every animal's stool daily.

6 a.m. in December. Looking into the hide, you see your 2-year-old male lying on his side, and his ears do not move when you call. The cage thermometer reads 21°C. His body is warm to the touch, but he does not move. There are signs he ate last night. You cannot tell whether he is alive.

Which is the most appropriate first check?

1. Pick him up and shake him hard to see if he reacts
2. Touch his whiskers or feet lightly for a response, check breathing by belly movement; if he moves, warm and feed him, if not, keep him warm and see a vet immediately
3. Put your ear to his chest to listen for a heartbeat
4. Splash cold water on him to wake him

AnswerB. Touch his whiskers or feet lightly for a response, check breathing by belly movement; if he moves, warm and feed him, if not, keep him warm and see a vet immediately

ExplanationTo check a small animal for life, first touch the whiskers or toes lightly with a finger to look for a reflex, then check breathing by slight movement of the belly or chest. This animal breathes over 100 times a minute when healthy, so slow or shallow breathing alone is abnormal. If he moves, wrap him in a towel to keep warm, supply sugar with a favorite food or sugar water, and see a vet. If there is no response, keep him warm and see a vet immediately. Shaking hard causes fractures and shock. The heart beats several hundred times a minute and cannot be counted by ear; prioritize warming and the vet over spending time checking. Cold water causes shock and hypothermia.

IssuesA room temperature of 21°C is near the lower limit, and the setup was prone to nighttime cooling in winter. The owner did not know how to check for responsiveness or life and might have panicked and applied dangerous stimuli.

ImprovementKeep the temperature at 22°C or above overnight in winter and check the minimum every morning. Write the response checks (whiskers, feet, belly movement) and the follow-up steps (warm, feed, vet) on paper and post them on the cage. Save the emergency hospital's number in your phone.

A February night. You have been warming your 1.5-year-old female, weakened by hypothermia, but her breathing has slowed to once every few seconds and her body is limp. A family member says you should press on her chest and do cardiac massage like for a dog. The emergency (after-hours) animal hospital is a 15-minute drive away.

What is the most appropriate response in this situation?

1. Do as the family member says and perform cardiac massage by pressing hard on the chest with your fingers
2. Blow into her mouth to give artificial respiration
3. Do nothing and let nature take its course until breathing stops
4. Do not do chest compressions; keep her warm with a towel and hot-water bottle, rub sugar water on her gums, and go straight to the emergency hospital without jostling her

AnswerD. Do not do chest compressions; keep her warm with a towel and hot-water bottle, rub sugar water on her gums, and go straight to the emergency hospital without jostling her

ExplanationChest compressions on an animal weighing a few dozen grams almost certainly break ribs and damage the lungs and heart. Effective compressions by hand are impossible on an animal whose heart beats several hundred times a minute. The life-saving measures you can take are to keep warming her to restore body temperature, rub a thin layer of sugar water on the gums to supply sugar, keep her dark and still, and get her to the emergency hospital as fast as possible. Blowing into her mouth forces far too much air for her lung capacity and damages the lungs. Doing nothing throws away the chance of recovery. Keep a hot-water bottle alongside during the drive and report the course of the hypothermia and weakness on arrival. If she recovers, manage temperature and food strictly for several days.

IssuesThe family tried to apply the same CPR as for dogs and cats to a tiny animal. They had not shared the understanding that the right life-saving steps for this animal are warming, sugar and rapid transport. The problem was not caught before it reached hypothermia.

ImprovementWrite this animal's life-saving procedure (no chest compressions; warm; sugar water; transport) on paper and share it with the family. Make a first-aid kit with sugar, a dropper, a hot-water bottle and a transport case. Confirm the emergency hospital's location and route in advance.

A September night. Your 1-year-old male cut his right hind leg on a crack in the cage plastic. The cut is only about 5 mm long but keeps bleeding, and the blood is spreading across the bedding. He is moving around while licking the leg, the bleeding has not stopped after 5 minutes, and the bedding is turning red.

What is the most appropriate response in this situation?

1. Spray plenty of antiseptic on the wound and let it dry
2. Press with clean gauze using only pinching pressure for 2–3 minutes; if it does not stop, head to an emergency (after-hours) animal hospital with the gauze still in place
3. Wrap the whole leg tightly in a bandage to stop the bleeding
4. He is moving around, so the bleeding is nothing serious; watch until morning

AnswerB. Press with clean gauze using only pinching pressure for 2–3 minutes; if it does not stop, head to an emergency (after-hours) animal hospital with the gauze still in place

ExplanationAn animal weighing a few dozen grams has a total blood volume of only a few milliliters, so continuous bleeding even from a small cut can be fatal blood loss. Press steadily with clean gauze for 2–3 minutes, using only pinching pressure. Do not lift the gauze to check partway, as that removes the clot and restarts the bleeding. If it does not stop, head to an emergency (after-hours) animal hospital with the gauze still in place. Antiseptic irritates, increases bleeding and pain, and does not stop the flow. A tight bandage cuts off blood flow in the thin leg and the tissue dies. Even while he moves around, blood loss continues and he will be weak by morning. After it stops, watch his appetite and movement, and see a vet if the wound swells.

IssuesA crack in the cage plastic was left unrepaired. The owner did not appreciate how little blood a small animal has and how dangerous even slight bleeding is, and had no method ready for stopping bleeding.

ImprovementInspect the cage and equipment weekly for cracks and sharp edges, and replace damaged items at once. Keep clean gauze in the first-aid kit and practice the pinching-pressure method as a family. Decide in advance that bleeding that will not stop means the emergency hospital.

10 p.m. in January. Your 2-year-old female has not fully recovered from hypoglycemia and you must take her to an emergency (after-hours) animal hospital. It is 2°C outside and a 30-minute drive. On hand you have a largish plastic case, a towel, a hot-water bottle, dry food and sugar water. She moves a little but her gait is unsteady.

Which is the most appropriate way to prepare for transport?

1. Cup her in your palms so she is not jostled, and hold her on your lap in the heated car
2. Lay bedding across the large plastic case and carry her with nothing else inside so she can move
3. Put a towel and a cloth-wrapped hot-water bottle in a small plastic case with a food dish, cover it to keep it dark, and carry it in the car's footwell without jostling
4. Wrap the whole cage in a blanket and put it on the back seat

AnswerC. Put a towel and a cloth-wrapped hot-water bottle in a small plastic case with a food dish, cover it to keep it dark, and carry it in the car's footwell without jostling

ExplanationThe three challenges during transport are warmth, food and rest. Line a small plastic case with a towel, add a cloth-wrapped hot-water bottle for warmth, and always include a dish of dry food so she can eat on the way. Cover it to keep it dark and reduce stimulation, and place it where there is little motion, such as the car's footwell. Holding her in your palms risks dropping her in a sudden stop, and she may escape. A large case chills easily and she tumbles and gets hurt as the car moves. Carrying the whole cage is heavy, shakes more and has no heater, so she gets cold. On arrival, report when and how much she last ate, the thermometer reading and the course of events.

IssuesThe transport supplies were all there, but how to combine them and the procedure had not been thought through in advance. The transport plan did not reflect that a small animal chills easily in transit and cannot tolerate fasting.

ImprovementKeep a small transport case, towel, hot-water bottle, a small bag of dry food and the ingredients for sugar water together in one bag by the front door. Write out the transport procedure and practice it once as a family. Check the route to the hospital and where to park.

2 a.m. in November. Your 1-year-old male has not touched his food since the evening; the dish has not gone down at all in half a day. He is now sitting still at the entrance of his hide and lifts his head when you call. His body is warm. The emergency (after-hours) animal hospital is a 40-minute drive, and your regular vet opens at 8 a.m. You are also worried about the cost.

What is the most appropriate decision in this situation?

1. Half a day without eating is already the danger zone, so supply sugar with a favorite food or sugar water, call the emergency hospital and follow their instructions
2. He still responds, so wait until morning and go when your regular vet opens
3. Search the symptoms online for similar cases and try their remedies
4. He is just not eating but seems fine, so see a vet if he still does not eat tomorrow

AnswerA. Half a day without eating is already the danger zone, so supply sugar with a favorite food or sugar water, call the emergency hospital and follow their instructions

ExplanationThis animal becomes hypoglycemic after a few hours without food. Half a day with nothing eaten is already the danger zone; even though he lifts his head now, he is likely to progress to seizures or loss of consciousness in the 6 hours until morning. Supply sugar with a favorite food or sugar water while you call the emergency hospital, describe the symptoms and follow their instructions. Waiting because of the cost loses a life that could be saved. Waiting until morning may be acceptable for other animals, but it is dangerous for this one. Searching online wastes time and leads to wrong remedies. Waiting another day is out of the question. Remember the rule for after-hours visits: half a day without eating, staggering or a cold body means go immediately.

IssuesThe owner had no vet-visit criteria reflecting this animal's extremely short tolerance for fasting and should have acted when he stopped eating in the evening. Reluctance about the emergency hospital and worry about cost delayed the decision.

ImprovementWrite the criteria on paper: half a day without eating, staggering, cold body or labored breathing means an immediate visit even at night. Save the emergency hospital's number and route, check the approximate cost in advance, and set up pet savings or insurance.

An April night. Right after you noticed the food dish was empty, your 1.5-year-old female went rigid on the cage floor and began a seizure, legs thrashing. Foam is coming from her mouth. The seizure lasted about 30 seconds and stopped; she is now limp and breathing fast. The family is filming a video.

Which is the most appropriate first action?

1. Pour sugar water into her mouth during the seizure to treat the hypoglycemia
2. Hold her body down during the seizure so she cannot move
3. Keep filming to gather material to show the hospital
4. Do not touch her during the seizure but clear objects around her; once it stops, rub a thin layer of sugar water on her gums, keep her warm and go straight to an emergency (after-hours) animal hospital

AnswerD. Do not touch her during the seizure but clear objects around her; once it stops, rub a thin layer of sugar water on her gums, keep her warm and go straight to an emergency (after-hours) animal hospital

ExplanationA seizure after food runs out is classic severe hypoglycemia and is fatal if left untreated. During the seizure, do not touch her, since you may be bitten or cause fractures; clear anything she could hit and wait. Once it stops, even before she regains consciousness, rub a thin layer of sugar water on her gums with a fingertip so the sugar is absorbed, wrap her in a towel to keep warm and go straight to the emergency hospital. Pouring liquid into the mouth during a seizure causes aspiration into the lungs. Holding her down causes fractures and gets you bitten. A few seconds of video is enough; filming while treatment is delayed defeats the purpose. If she seizes again, repeat the same steps, and tell the vet how long the food had been gone.

IssuesThe empty dish was noticed late, and hypoglycemia progressed all the way to seizures. The family did not know the emergency procedure and spent time filming. They had no sugar water ready and did not know to apply it to the gums.

ImprovementKeep several food dishes and make checking them 3–4 times a day a firm habit. Put sugar, a small dropper, a hot-water bottle and a transport case together in a first-aid kit. Share the seizure procedure (do not touch; sugar water once it stops; warm; transport) with the family.