Gerbils

Question 1

What is the suborder of gerbils?

Answer 1

Myomorpha

Question 2

What is the lifespan of a gerbil?

Answer 2

3-4 years (longer than hamsters)

Question 3

What is the urine volume of a gerbil?

Answer 3

3-4 mL/day (very small output – less than hamsters)

Question 4

What is the difference in the cheek pouches of a gerbil vs a hamster?

Answer 4

Gerbils have small cheek pouches and are not extrudable

Question 5

(T/F) Gerbils like rats/mice also have harderian glands that can color tears reddish.

Answer 5

True

Question 6

When are gerbils most active throughout the day?

Answer 6

They are gregarious so they are active both in day and night

Question 7

What is a sign of a gerbil that is getting very stressed and will become aggressive or a gerbil that is excitable?

Answer 7

Foot stomping (“thumping”)

Question 8

Anogenital distance will be greater in (male/female) gerbils?

Answer 8

Male

Question 9

What is the gestation timeline for gerbils?

Answer 9

Without lactating – 24-26 days, with lactiation 27-48 days

Question 10

How many litters per year do gerbils have?

Answer 10

Average of 7 (3-7 pups/litter)

Question 11

What kind of nutrition do gerbils need?

Answer 11

They are granivorous and omnivorous (avoid seed based diets because they are low in calcium)

Question 12

What kind of behavior is good to keep in mind while looking for bedding for gerbils?

Answer 12

They burrow

Question 13

In what two locations should the handler grasp to restrain a gerbil?

Answer 13

Grip scruff of neck and hold base of tail

Question 14

What location should blood be collected from in a gerbil?

Answer 14

Lateral saphenous (only take 0.7-0.8 mL)

Question 15

What two measurements will be higher in a blood sample of a gerbil compaired to other species?

Answer 15

Lipid and cholesterol

Question 16

What disease is stress induced and caused by irritation from porphyrin secretion in a gerbil?

Answer 16

Nasal dermatitis (sore nose)

Question 17

Where is Tyzzer’s disease carried in a gerbil?

Answer 17

Sublcinically in the intestinal tract

Question 18

What is the transmission route of Tyzzer’s disease in gerbils?

Answer 18

Fecal oral

Question 19

What are some of the signs of Tyzzer’s disease in gerbil? (Theres a lot listed)

Answer 19

Poor coat condition, weight loss, anorexia, diarrhea, sudden death, high mortality especially postpartum and young recently weaned animals

Question 20

(T/F) The specific treatment to treat a gerbil with Tyzzer’s disease is tetracycline only.

Answer 20

False, it is sometimes helpful but there is no real treatment, only do supportive care

Question 21

Which age is Salmonellosis in gerbils most commonly in?

Answer 21

Juvenile (3-6 weeks)

Question 22

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?

Answer 22

Hepatitis and Peritonitis

Question 23

Which disease happens in 50% of female gerbils over 1 year old that could cause abdominal swelling, alopecia, anorexia, lethargy and infertility?

Answer 23

Cystic ovaries

Question 24

How long can spontaneous seizures last in a gerbil?

Answer 24

30 seconds to 20 minutes of variable intensitiy

Question 25

What type of seizures happen in gerbils with spontaneous seizures (epilepsy) have?

Answer 25

Tonic clonic seizures

Question 26

How long is the refractory period for a gerbil that had spontaneous seizures?

Answer 26

Up to 5 days post seizure

Question 27

When can the spontenouse sizures in a gerbil start happening?

Answer 27

Start at about 2 months and can increase in frequency up to 6 months

Question 28

What is the treatment for spontaneous seizures in a gerbil?

Answer 28

None – gerbil resumes normal activities within a few min of seizure ending

Question 29

What can be a reason for a seizure to happen in a gerbil?

Answer 29

Stress related or startle induced

Question 30

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?

Answer 30

Aural cholesteatomas

Question 31

(T/F) In a case of degloving or tail slip we want to place the skin back on the tail and suture it back.

Answer 31

Fuck no – have to surgically debride and amputate the part that got degloved