Hamsters And gerbils Flashcards
Hamsters belong to the class Mammalia, order ___ and family ___
Order rodentia
Family cricetidae
True or false
Hamster Incisors and molars grow continuously through life
True
True or false
Hamsters are diurnal
FALSE
they are nocturnal
What is different about hip/flank glands on male hamsters
Very prominent and pigmented in males
Can become infected, impacted and neoplastic
Females produce a copious amount of ___ after ovulation
Discharge
What temperatures could hamsters potentially hibernate at
Less than 5 degrees C (even at 10-15 C)
What is different about a hamsters distensible cheeks
Extremely distensible, used to carry foods produce no saliva
Can become impacted and develop tumors
What is the average lifespan of a hamster
1.5-2 years
Describe antibiotic associated enterotoxemia in hamsters
Overgrowth of clostridium difficile
Same sensitivities to antibiotics as rabbits and Guinea pigs
Usually seen in adult hamsters
What is wet tail in hamsters
Seen in young hamsters
Proliferative enteropathy caused by Lawsonia intracellularis
Treat aggressively with fluids, antibiotics and force feeding
Very poor prognosis
Gerbils belong to the class Mammalia, order ___ and family ___
Order rodentia
Family Muridae
Why do gerbils require very little water
Adapted to a desert environment
True or false
Gerbil incisors and molars grow continuously through life
False
Their incisors grow continuously through life, their molars do NOT
What are gerbils capable of if handled by their tail? What treatment does it require?
Tail slip
Requires amputation because only the skin sloughs off (not the bone) and the bone is left exposed)
What are two things both sexes of gerbil have in common
Have an orange/tan area of alopecia in central abdomen and a ventral marking gland (can become infected and neoplastic in older gerbils)
What is the average life span of a gerbil
3-4 years
What is sore nose in gerbils
Moist dermatitis
Likely due to an increase in porphyrin secretions (test for blood with dipstick) (dt stress) which acts as an irritant and then secondary infections occur
Describe tumors in gerbils
Common
Males: squamous cell carcinoma on ventral marking gland
Females: ovarian granulosa cell tumors
What does a head tilt often indicate in gerbils
Aural cholesteatoma (looks like a polyp)
In general how should you house hamsters (things different from gerbils)
Nocturnal
Fastidious in maintaining/arranging habitat (make special areas for sleeping, food storage and waste)
Can try to litter box train
Try and put things back how they were when cleaning cage and don’t rearrange
> 80 F they will estivate
In general how should you house gerbils (things different from hamsters)
Not nocturnal
Very social, playful and active
Enjoy lost of toys and hiding areas and tubes
Can you house hamsters with other hamsters? How about gerbils?
Hamsters: NO they live alone
Gerbils: YES they are very social and often form monogamous pairs and bond very closely (never separate)
In general, describe housing husbandry for hamsters and gerbils
Solid floors and sides with secure lids
Gerbils are great jumpers and both will climb
Hamsters enjoy elaborate homes with tubes and towers
Must have hiding areas/boxes (hamsters only use in sleeping area)
Clean cages weekly
Substrate: aspen shavings or recycled paper products (can use a fine sand for gerbils)
Water bottles cleaner and changed daily
Wheels with a solid surface (not wire)
Can use Exercise balls -supervise constantly
How should you handle/restrain a hamster
Easily startled
Aggressive when startled or first awake (gently prod them to wake them up and wait until they are fully awake)
Scoop into the hand
Do not tolerate much handling before trying to bite
Can scruff (empty cheek pouches first and include extra cheek skin in the scruff ) extended periods of scruffing can lead to exopthalmosis due to pressure behind the eyes
Describe handling/restraint of gerbils
Never catch or restrain by the tail
Very fast -often easier to catch by scooping into a cup first
can scruff (cheek skin not a problem like in hamsters)
Less likely to bite
Describe blood collection in hamsters and gerbils
Gerbils: lateral tail vein (use with caution) , mask down first and warm the tail with warm water or cloth to dilate vessels
Both: cranial vena cave (very risky, need full GA)
Where are injections done in gerbils and hamsters
SQ or IP
Describe fluid therapy in hamsters and gerbils
Difficult
Hard to access veins
Cannot give large volumes
Describe medication use in hamsters and gerbils
Most medications are use “off label” (not specified for the use in these animals -use at your own risk)
Hard to hide meds “cautious eaters”
Describe general anesthesia in gerbils and hamsters
Mask for induction and maintenance (used like a chamber)
Can convert syringe case into a mask
Radiographs require
Sedation and positioning aids
