Gerbils Flashcards
What is the suborder of gerbils?
Myomorpha
What is the lifespan of a gerbil?
3-4 years (longer than hamsters)
What is the urine volume of a gerbil?
3-4 mL/day (very small output – less than hamsters)
What is the difference in the cheek pouches of a gerbil vs a hamster?
Gerbils have small cheek pouches and are not extrudable
(T/F) Gerbils like rats/mice also have harderian glands that can color tears reddish.
True
When are gerbils most active throughout the day?
They are gregarious so they are active both in day and night
What is a sign of a gerbil that is getting very stressed and will become aggressive or a gerbil that is excitable?
Foot stomping (“thumping”)
Anogenital distance will be greater in (male/female) gerbils?
Male
What is the gestation timeline for gerbils?
Without lactating – 24-26 days, with lactiation 27-48 days
How many litters per year do gerbils have?
Average of 7 (3-7 pups/litter)
What kind of nutrition do gerbils need?
They are granivorous and omnivorous (avoid seed based diets because they are low in calcium)
What kind of behavior is good to keep in mind while looking for bedding for gerbils?
They burrow
In what two locations should the handler grasp to restrain a gerbil?
Grip scruff of neck and hold base of tail
What location should blood be collected from in a gerbil?
Lateral saphenous (only take 0.7-0.8 mL)
What two measurements will be higher in a blood sample of a gerbil compaired to other species?
Lipid and cholesterol
What disease is stress induced and caused by irritation from porphyrin secretion in a gerbil?
Nasal dermatitis (sore nose)
Where is Tyzzer’s disease carried in a gerbil?
Sublcinically in the intestinal tract
What is the transmission route of Tyzzer’s disease in gerbils?
Fecal oral
What are some of the signs of Tyzzer’s disease in gerbil? (Theres a lot listed)
Poor coat condition, weight loss, anorexia, diarrhea, sudden death, high mortality especially postpartum and young recently weaned animals
(T/F) The specific treatment to treat a gerbil with Tyzzer’s disease is tetracycline only.
False, it is sometimes helpful but there is no real treatment, only do supportive care
Which age is Salmonellosis in gerbils most commonly in?
Juvenile (3-6 weeks)
With Salmonellosis some clinical signs we can see are weight loss, rough haircoat, listlessness, dehydration and death. What are the two systemic diseases gerbiles can get?
Hepatitis and Peritonitis
Which disease happens in 50% of female gerbils over 1 year old that could cause abdominal swelling, alopecia, anorexia, lethargy and infertility?
Cystic ovaries
How long can spontaneous seizures last in a gerbil?
30 seconds to 20 minutes of variable intensitiy
What type of seizures happen in gerbils with spontaneous seizures (epilepsy) have?
Tonic clonic seizures
How long is the refractory period for a gerbil that had spontaneous seizures?
Up to 5 days post seizure
When can the spontenouse sizures in a gerbil start happening?
Start at about 2 months and can increase in frequency up to 6 months
What is the treatment for spontaneous seizures in a gerbil?
None – gerbil resumes normal activities within a few min of seizure ending
What can be a reason for a seizure to happen in a gerbil?
Stress related or startle induced
If a gerbil has a head tilt to one side, circling, or scratching his ear, what should be at the top of the differential list?
Aural cholesteatomas
(T/F) In a case of degloving or tail slip we want to place the skin back on the tail and suture it back.
Fuck no – have to surgically debride and amputate the part that got degloved
