Gerbil- MERIONES UNGUICULATUS

Question 1

What is the genus and species name for Gerbils?

Answer 1

Meriones Unguiculatus

Question 2

2 types of gerbils:

Answer 2

China and Mongolia (most common)

Question 3

The common coat color for gerbils is?

Answer 3

brown agouti

Question 4

Average size for adult gerbils

Answer 4

55g-100g

Question 5

2 uses for Gerbils:

Answer 5

Pets and research

Question 6

They are prone to 2 things:

Answer 6

Stroke and epilepsy(seizures)

Question 7

Gerbils are known to do what when expressing aggressiveness or to attract attention?

Answer 7

thumping their hind limbs to create a drumming sound

Question 8

Whats the difference between a Gerbils tail and a rats tail?

Answer 8

Gerbils have fully furred tails when rats do not

Question 9

Gerbils have 2 glands which are?

Answer 9

Ventral gland(marking gland) and Harderian gland

Question 10

How many pairs of mammary glands do Gerbils have?

Answer 10

4

Question 11

Life span of Gerbils:

Answer 11

3-4 years

Question 12

Normal TPR for Gerbils:

Answer 12

T 101-103F;
P 300-360bpm;
R 70-120rpm

Question 13

Gestation for Gerbils:

Answer 13

24-26 days

Question 14

Avg. litter size for Gerbils:

Answer 14

3-7 pups

Question 15

Housing temp:
Light:Dark:
Humidity:
Air exchanges:

Answer 15

18-26 C;
12:12;
30-50%;
10-15/hr

Question 16

Gerbils breed when they are how old?

Answer 16

10-12 weeks

Question 17

What type of reproductive cycle do Gerbils have?

Answer 17

Polyestrous & they are also spontaneous ovulators

Question 18

Birthing take approx how long?

Answer 18

1 hour

Question 19

Gerbils get their hair and eyes open at what age?

Answer 19

hair- 7-10 days;

eyes- 14-20 days

Question 20

How much protein do Gerbils need in their diet?

Answer 20

16-22%

Question 21

Most common injection site on Gerbils:

Answer 21

Retroorbital

Question 22

No more than _____% of blood every 2 weeks

Answer 22

10

Question 23

Max IP amt:

Answer 23

2-3ml

Question 24

Max SQ amt:

Answer 24

3-4ml

Question 25

Max IM amt:

Answer 25

0.1/site (last resort)

Question 26

Max IV amt:

Answer 26

0.3ml

Question 27

Max PO amt:

Answer 27

1.5ml

Question 28

Increased mortality/morbidity; gerbils highly susceptible; Clostridium Piliforme

Answer 28

Tyzzers Dz

Question 29

Cause of this is from poor enrichment; from stress/anxiety; Staphylococcus aureus; moist dermatitis; can lead to wasting

Answer 29

Nasal dermatitis or “Sore Nose”

Question 30

D+, perineal staining, anorexia, death; can fight off dz with short bout of D+; ZOONOTIC

Answer 30

Salmonella

Question 31

Not a common health condition in Gerbils:

Answer 31

Malocclusion

Question 32

These occur over the age of 2; can be identified on ovaries, ventral sebaceous glands, kidneys, adrenal gland, skin

Answer 32

Tumors

Question 33

What 2 meds do you NOT give to treat tumors in Gerbils:

Answer 33

Steptomycin(toxic);

Acepromazine(lowers seizure threshold)

Question 34

3 common forms of euthanasia for Gerbils:

Answer 34

OD of CO2;
OD of injectable anesthesia;
OD of inhalant anesthesia(last resort)