Gerbils Mongolian gerbil – Meriones unguiculatus – Most common pet gerbil – Live 2-4 years – Native to China and Mongolia

History Genghis Khan – Meriones unguiculatus  “Clawed Warrior” Father Armand David (French missionary/explorer) – sent specimens to Europe (first pet gerbils in Europe?) Dr. Victor Schwentker – Brought to U.S. in 1954 for research – Scientists realized their “pet potential” in the lab Illegal as pets in California

Anatomical Features cm; tail about half its length Weigh g Adapted to arid environment – Furred tail and fur between toes – Drink little water; excrete little urine – Can go 45 days without water Hearing 7 times better than humans

Reproduction Monogamous (usually) Paired gerbils begin to mate at ~ 3 months Mating Behavior – chasing and mounting – checking their undersides after each round Pregnancy = 24 days 1-8 pups/litter; both parents build nest and care for pups Mate again almost immediately after the female gives birth

Behavior Active, friendly animals Adult gerbils do NOT tolerate new cage mates Place with permanent cage mates by 10 to 12 weeks of age – New cage mates will result in fighting among adults – If cage mate removed for prolonged time and reintroduced, fighting may result

Behavior Diurnal Enjoy exercise wheels and edible chew toys – Avoid plastic Enjoy dust baths Normally burrow – Appreciate tunnels

Research Stroke studies Hematology studies Experience Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) like humans (Lau, et. al.2011)

Husbandry Require minimal care Clean cage every 2-3 weeks Tolerate wide temperature ranges Relative humidity of 30% recommended Should be fed ad libitum Best housed in solid-bottom caging with bedding Handled by grasping base of tail – Avoid pulling skin of the tip and exposing tailbone

Husbandry General minimum guidelines – 10-gallon tank = 2 – 15-gallon tank = 3 – 20-gallon tank = 4 – 30-gallon tank = 6 Bedding – No pine or cedar respiratory and liver problems – Provide several inches for burrowing and nesting

Common Diseases Respiratory Problems – Caused by pathogen or bedding material made from pine or cedar – Clinical signs include: rumpled coats, clicking noises, and hunched in a corner – If not eating and drinking or having diarrhea, bring to vet – If due to the bedding - change

Common Diseases Seizures (“going limp”) – Stress/over stimulation – Young gerbils may “grow out of it” – Should not breed animals prone to seizures – Can be fatal

Common Diseases Nasal Dermatitis – Gerbil gets bald patch around nose (too much moisture, bedding problem, rubbing on cage/habitat contents/overactive Harderian Gland) – Gets irritated/infected and bleeds – See veterinarian

Common Diseases Scent Gland Tumor – Most common in older males – Can be operable

Common Diseases Tyzzer’s Disease – Clostridium piliforme – spread through contaminated food or water supplies – Clinical Signs: severe abdominal pain, rough hair coat, anorexia, hunched stance, and diarrhea – Can be fatal – prevention is best

Common Diseases Malocclusion – Misalignment of the teeth – Be sure to have wood for them to chew on for natural ware – Vet may need to trim teeth monthly

Guinea Pigs Cavia porcellus Originated in South America – Peru and Bolivia – Bred for food consumption – Some may have been kept as pets by children

History Domesticated when brought to Europe in 1500s Queen Elizabeth I kept guinea pigs as pets Painting of three Elizabethan children containing what may be the first portrait of a guinea pig.

Anatomical Features Short and stocky Lifespan: 5-6 years 8-19 inches long; ~5 inches tall ounces ( lbs) Three main breeds Short-haired Long-haired Rosette-haired Preyer or pinna reflex Turns head and directing ears to sounds

Reproduction Monogamous or polygamous One boar can be kept with up to 10 sows Gestation averages 66 days Can have up to 7 pups (average is 3)

Behavior Rarely bite Social Male dominated hierarchies Tendency to freeze then scatter in response to noise or startling

Research Biomedical research – nutritional research – vaccines for diphtheria (URI caused by bacterium) and tuberculosis – replacement heart valves

Husbandry Strictly herbivores – Fussy eaters – May starve when diet changed – Must have vitamin C supplement Best housed in solid-bottom cages with bedding – Guinea pigs are messy – Scatter food and defecate into feed and water bowls so use a water bottle

Husbandry Minimum Cage Sizes – One  7.5 square feet (30" x 36”) – Two  10.5 square feet is preferred (30" x 50”) – Three  square feet (30" x 62”) – Four  13 square feet (30" x 76”)

Common Diseases Respiratory/Pneumonia – Caused by a bacterial infection – Spread by direct contact, aerosolized (airborne) particles, and on contaminated hands or other objects – Animal should be brought to the vet for treatment

Common Diseases Diarrhea – Have a sensitive gastrointestinal tract – Caused by bacterial infection, change of food, stress, some antibiotics (kill off too many “good” bacteria in gut) – Animal should be brought to the vet for treatment

Common Diseases Scurvy – Need mg of vitamin C per day – Vitamin C found in fresh fruit and green or colored vegetables – Pellets should be used within 90 days of the date of manufacture (vitamin C unstable)

Common Diseases Urinary Tract Problems – prone to urinary calculi (stones) – life threatning – bladder and kidney – blockage in the ureter – females  cystitis – males  stones – Clinical signs include: anorexia, depression, straining – surgery may be required

Common Diseases Malocclusion – Misalignment of teeth Barbering – Chewing of fur out of boredom Pododermatitis (Bumblefoot) – Most typical in overweight animals kept on wire bottom cages – Depp infection on feet causing infection