Gerbils and Guinea Pigs

Average gerbil weight?

50 - 100 grams

Gerbil colors?

agouti, black, gray, white, cinnamon, dove, peibald

What research are gerbils used in labs for?

stroke, epilepsy, behavior, lipid metabolism

Why do gerbils thumb their hind legs?

to get attention or show aggression

What parts of gerbils have fur?

tail, ears, foot pads

Gerbil Dental Formula

2 ( 1/1 I, 0 C, 0 P, 3/3 M)

What. is special about gerbil adrenal glands?

3 times bigger than a rats

Estrous Cycle (gerbil)

4-6 days

Gestation Period (gerbil)

24-26 days

Gerbil cage requirements

230 cm sq floor; 15 cm high (lid)

What bedding is used for gerbils?

wood chips, wood shavings, recycled paper pellets, corncob particles (NO CEDAR)

How deep must bedding be for gerbils?

2 cm

Gerbil Enrichment

exercise wheels, PVC pipes, shredding material

Gerbil ID methods:

cage card, ear punching, ear tagging, tattooing tail, microchip, ink tail/fur

Methods of drawing blood on gerbil?

retroorbital sinus (anesthesia), lateral metatarsal vein, lateral tail vein

Which needles are used for injections on gerbils?

23-25 gauge

What is a common gerbil surgery?

cerebral infarction

Gerbil restraint

sedation, adhesive tape, radiolucent tube

Euthanasia methods on gerbil

CO2 (70% or higher), IP overdose of barbituate

What are the two common hampster species?

Golden and Chinese

How are hamsters housed?

separately

How many miles do hamsters run a day?

5 miles

True or False: Hamsters are permissive hibernators.

true

Why might a hamster hibernate?

low light intensity, short day lengths, quietness, cooler temps

Hamster space requirements

123 cm sq floor, 15 cm high

Hamster enrichment

exercise wheels, PVC pipes, shredding material for nesting, fruit/veggies treats

What must you do before restraining a hamster?

make sure it is awake

Hamster restraint

cup and scoop; pick up by loose skin over the neck

Hamster blood draw methods

retroorbital sinus, cardiac puncture (terminal)

How to stimulate hamster urination?

handling, placing in cool bag

What is the maximum volume of food that can be given to a hamster using a gavage needle?

2 mL