Gerbils (LS)

Question 1

Which rodent is best adapted to arid environments?

TQ

Answer 1

Gerbil

Question 2

What does Crepuscular mean?

Answer 2

most active at dawn & dusk

Question 3

What is the toe arrangement of a gerbil?

Answer 3

• Forelimbs = 5
• Hindlimbs = 4

Question 4

How much urine do gerbils produce per day?

TQ

Answer 4

3-4 drops/day

Question 5

Which teeth in a gerbil are hypsodont?

Answer 5

Incisors

Question 6

What are the 4 rodents commonly used in

Lab Animal Medicine (LAM)?

How are they managed?

Answer 6

• Gerbils
• Hamsters
• Guinea pigs
• Rabbits
• as herds, not individually

Question 7

What part of a gerbil’s body do you never grab it by?

Why?

TQ

Answer 7

• tip of the tail
• “tail slip”→ tail will deglove; protection mechanism against predators

Question 8

What 2 lab parameters will change if you obtain a gerbil’s blood from their tail vein?

Answer 8

• higher leuckocytes
• higer lymphocytes

Question 9

What is common in Gerbil’s BW?

Causes?

Answer 9

• Serumal lipemia → both sexes, all ages
• More common in males > 13 months
• Sunflower seeds in diet

Question 10

Which species show sexual dimorphism in their BW?

Give Examples!

Answer 10

• Gerbils
• Males have higher:
  • MCV
  • Hematocrit
  • MCHC
  • Lymphocyte:heterophil ratio
    
    • Males= 6.1:1
    • Females= 3.2:1

Question 11

What is the causative agent of Tyzzer’s Dz?

TQ

Answer 11

Clostridium pilliformis

(gerbils are VERY susceptible)

Question 12

Lesions of Tyzzer’s Dz.
TQ

Answer 12

• sudden death + diarrhea before
• Multiple necrotic hepatic foci

Question 13

Predisposing factors to Tyzzer’s Dz.

Answer 13

Environmental!

• contaminated bedding
• overcrowding
• high temps
• heavy parasite load
• poor diet

Question 14

Will Tetracycline cure Tyzzer’s Dz?

Answer 14

Not 100% effective

Only supportive care

Question 15

What is the name of the highly infectious ZOONOTIC tapeworm that infects Gerbils?

TQ

Answer 15

Hymeolepis nana

Question 16

Ectoparasite of Gerbils?

Answer 16

Demodex meroni

Question 17

List the most common neoplasias of the gerbil.

(in animals > 2 yr old)

Answer 17

• Female →repro system, skin, subcutis
• Male → ventral abdominal scent gland
• Both → melanomas of ear, foot & tail base

Question 18

What type of seizures do Gerbils have?

TX?

TQ

Answer 18

• Epileptiform
• No TX recommended→ spontaneously resolve @ 6 months.

Question 19

What predisposes Gerbils to seizures?

Prevention?

Answer 19

• Genetics → onset is @ 2 months
• Sudden stress, handling, new environment
• early handling will help mitigate

Question 20

Which 2 routes of administration should you avoid in a gerbil?

TQ

Answer 20

• Food medication
• water medication

Question 21

What is Dysbiosis?

Cause?

Susceptibility?

Answer 21

• Clostridial overgrowth & enterotoxemia 2º to death of natural Gram (+) flora
• Inappropriate Antibiotics administration
• Gerbils << hamsters

Question 22

Contraindicated Drugs in Gerbils!

Answer 22

• Streptomycin
• Dihydrostreptomycin
• Procaine
  
  • direct NM blockade toxicity

Question 23

What type of castration do you perform in a gerbil?

Why?

Answer 23

• Closed castration
• have open inguinal canals

Question 24

How do you TX a Tail Slip?

Answer 24

SX amputation of damaged part is recommended