Gerbil- MERIONES UNGUICULATUS Flashcards
What is the genus and species name for Gerbils?
Meriones Unguiculatus
2 types of gerbils:
China and Mongolia (most common)
The common coat color for gerbils is?
brown agouti
Average size for adult gerbils
55g-100g
2 uses for Gerbils:
Pets and research
They are prone to 2 things:
Stroke and epilepsy(seizures)
Gerbils are known to do what when expressing aggressiveness or to attract attention?
thumping their hind limbs to create a drumming sound
Whats the difference between a Gerbils tail and a rats tail?
Gerbils have fully furred tails when rats do not
Gerbils have 2 glands which are?
Ventral gland(marking gland) and Harderian gland
How many pairs of mammary glands do Gerbils have?
4
Life span of Gerbils:
3-4 years
Normal TPR for Gerbils:
T 101-103F;
P 300-360bpm;
R 70-120rpm
Gestation for Gerbils:
24-26 days
Avg. litter size for Gerbils:
3-7 pups
Housing temp:
Light:Dark:
Humidity:
Air exchanges:
18-26 C;
12:12;
30-50%;
10-15/hr
Gerbils breed when they are how old?
10-12 weeks
What type of reproductive cycle do Gerbils have?
Polyestrous & they are also spontaneous ovulators
Birthing take approx how long?
1 hour
Gerbils get their hair and eyes open at what age?
hair- 7-10 days;
eyes- 14-20 days
How much protein do Gerbils need in their diet?
16-22%
Most common injection site on Gerbils:
Retroorbital
No more than _____% of blood every 2 weeks
10
Max IP amt:
2-3ml
Max SQ amt:
3-4ml
Max IM amt:
0.1/site (last resort)
Max IV amt:
0.3ml
Max PO amt:
1.5ml
Increased mortality/morbidity; gerbils highly susceptible; Clostridium Piliforme
Tyzzers Dz
Cause of this is from poor enrichment; from stress/anxiety; Staphylococcus aureus; moist dermatitis; can lead to wasting
Nasal dermatitis or “Sore Nose”
D+, perineal staining, anorexia, death; can fight off dz with short bout of D+; ZOONOTIC
Salmonella
Not a common health condition in Gerbils:
Malocclusion
These occur over the age of 2; can be identified on ovaries, ventral sebaceous glands, kidneys, adrenal gland, skin
Tumors
What 2 meds do you NOT give to treat tumors in Gerbils:
Steptomycin(toxic);
Acepromazine(lowers seizure threshold)
3 common forms of euthanasia for Gerbils:
OD of CO2;
OD of injectable anesthesia;
OD of inhalant anesthesia(last resort)
