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Gerbils (Laboratory) - Pathology (view source)
Revision as of 15:41, 12 August 2011
, 15:41, 12 August 2011→Integument System
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Macroscopic findings will include numerous pruritic skin lesions.
Macroscopic findings will include numerous pruritic skin lesions. There may also be mild acanthosis, hyperkeratosis and accumulations of large numbers of neutrophils and macrophages in the adjacent dermis. Some gerbils may have concurrent hyperplasia of the Harderian gland.
===Staphylococcal Dermatitis===
This is an endemic disease that usually occurs in weanling gerbils. The gerbil will develop a localised alopecia and erythemia around the external nares which then rapidly spreads to the feet result in in moist dermatitis of the feet, legs and ventral body. Morbidity is between 75-100% and mortality is 25%. High humidity, fighting and stress associated with blood samples have all been shown to be causative factors.
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Macroscopic pathologic findings will include lesions that are acute and suppurative. Some gerbils may have micro-abcesses in the liver. Microscopic findings will vary depending on the severity of the lesions but will include minimal neutrophilic infiltrates in the epidermis with acanthosis and hyperkeratosis to severe suppurative epidermitis, dermatitis and folliculitis. In very severe lesions there may be chronic ulcerative dermatitis.
===Parasites===
===Parasites===
Parasites rarely cause disease in gerbils. The most common skin parasite is the hamster demodectic mange mites, ''Demodex aurati'' or ''Demodex criceti''. Usual clinical signs are alopecia.
Parasites rarely cause disease in gerbils. The most common skin parasite is the hamster demodectic mange mites, ''Demodex aurati'' or ''Demodex criceti''. Usual clinical signs are alopecia.