Gerbils (LS) Flashcards
Which rodent is best adapted to arid environments?
TQ
Gerbil
What does Crepuscular mean?
most active at dawn & dusk
What is the toe arrangement of a gerbil?
- Forelimbs = 5
- Hindlimbs = 4
How much urine do gerbils produce per day?
TQ
3-4 drops/day
Which teeth in a gerbil are hypsodont?
Incisors
What are the 4 rodents commonly used in
Lab Animal Medicine (LAM)?
How are they managed?
- Gerbils
- Hamsters
- Guinea pigs
- Rabbits
- as herds, not individually
What part of a gerbil’s body do you never grab it by?
Why?
TQ
- tip of the tail
- “tail slip”→ tail will deglove; protection mechanism against predators
What 2 lab parameters will change if you obtain a gerbil’s blood from their tail vein?
- higher leuckocytes
- higer lymphocytes
What is common in Gerbil’s BW?
Causes?
- Serumal lipemia → both sexes, all ages
- More common in males > 13 months
- Sunflower seeds in diet
Which species show sexual dimorphism in their BW?
Give Examples!
- Gerbils
- Males have higher:
- MCV
- Hematocrit
- MCHC
- Lymphocyte:heterophil ratio
- Males= 6.1:1
- Females= 3.2:1
What is the causative agent of Tyzzer’s Dz?
TQ
Clostridium pilliformis
(gerbils are VERY susceptible)
Lesions of Tyzzer’s Dz.
TQ
- sudden death + diarrhea before
- Multiple necrotic hepatic foci
Predisposing factors to Tyzzer’s Dz.
Environmental!
- contaminated bedding
- overcrowding
- high temps
- heavy parasite load
- poor diet
Will Tetracycline cure Tyzzer’s Dz?
Not 100% effective
Only supportive care
What is the name of the highly infectious ZOONOTIC tapeworm that infects Gerbils?
TQ
Hymeolepis nana
Ectoparasite of Gerbils?
Demodex meroni
List the most common neoplasias of the gerbil.
(in animals > 2 yr old)
- Female →repro system, skin, subcutis
- Male → ventral abdominal scent gland
- Both → melanomas of ear, foot & tail base
What type of seizures do Gerbils have?
TX?
TQ
- Epileptiform
- No TX recommended→ spontaneously resolve @ 6 months.
What predisposes Gerbils to seizures?
Prevention?
- Genetics → onset is @ 2 months
- Sudden stress, handling, new environment
- early handling will help mitigate
Which 2 routes of administration should you avoid in a gerbil?
TQ
- Food medication
- water medication
What is Dysbiosis?
Cause?
Susceptibility?
- Clostridial overgrowth & enterotoxemia 2º to death of natural Gram (+) flora
- Inappropriate Antibiotics administration
- Gerbils << hamsters
Contraindicated Drugs in Gerbils!
- Streptomycin
- Dihydrostreptomycin
-
Procaine
- direct NM blockade toxicity
What type of castration do you perform in a gerbil?
Why?
- Closed castration
- have open inguinal canals
How do you TX a Tail Slip?
SX amputation of damaged part is recommended
