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==Introduction==

==Introduction==

Gerbils are part of the sub-family ''Gerbillinae'' which is part of the ''Rodentia'' order. There are approximately 100 species of gerbil in 14 genera from all over the world but in laboratory testing, as well as for keeping as a pet, the mongolian gerbil is the most common. The mongolian gerbil or 'jird', ''Meriones unguichulatus'' is commonly used for these purposes as they are known for having several characteristics that make them desirable over other species of gerbil. These inclue a very non-aggressive nature, a lower incidence than other species of spontaneous disease, a lack of odour and a monogamous mating behaviour. Some other species have been used for testing, although this is not common. The mongolian gerbil was introduced as a laboratory testing animal in 1963, although they only make up 0.5% of the total number of laboratory rodents used annually.

Gerbils are part of the sub-family ''Gerbillinae'' which is part of the ''Rodentia'' order. There are approximately 100 species of gerbil in 14 genera from all over the world but in laboratory testing, as well as for keeping as a pet, the mongolian gerbil is the most common. The mongolian gerbil or 'jird', ''Meriones unguichulatus'', is commonly used for these purposes as they are known for having several characteristics that make them desirable over other species of gerbil. These include a very non-aggressive nature, a lower incidence than other species of spontaneous disease, a lack of odour and a monogamous mating behaviour. Some other species have been used for testing, although this is not common. The mongolian gerbil was introduced as a laboratory testing animal in 1963, although they only make up 0.5% of the total number of laboratory rodents used annually.

==Strains and Stocks==

==Strains and Stocks==

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Some laboratory studies have found that under laboratory housing conditions, gerbils may develop a stereotypic digging behaviour. An example of this would be digging at the corner of the plastic housing container despite there being no material to move from the plastic. Changes in the housing parameters such as vastly increasing the housing size or the provision of natural substrates such as sand or soil has been shown to prevent this stereotypic digging behaviour. This behaviour often develops in juveniles. It has been shown that the provision of housing with burrows or a tiered tunnel structure can help to reduce this behaviour.

Some studies have found that under laboratory housing conditions, gerbils may develop a stereotypic digging behaviour. An example of this would be digging at the corner of the plastic housing container despite there being no material to move from the plastic. Changes in the housing parameters such as increasing the housing size or the provision of natural substrates such as sand or soil has been shown to prevent this behaviour. This behaviour often develops in juveniles. It has been shown that the provision of housing with burrows or a tiered tunnel structure can also help to reduce this behaviour.

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Gerbils are a social species and in the wild group sizes range from 2 to 15. There is usually only one actively reproductive male and female per group. The formation of new groups can be problematic when introducing adults to one-another due to issues of dominance and it is much better tolerated when introducing new juveniles to one-another. Adults will display strong xenophobic reactions towards unfamiliar animals including grinding their teeth and lashing their tails.

Gerbils are a social species and in the wild group sizes range from 2 to 15. There is usually only one actively reproductive male and female per group. The formation of new groups can be problematic when introducing adults to one-another due to issues of dominance and other animals are much better tolerated when introducing new juveniles to one-another. Adults will display strong xenophobic reactions towards unfamiliar animals including grinding their teeth and lashing their tails.

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Flagellated protozoa such as ''Giardia'' and ''Tritrichomonas'' are commonly found colonising the intestines of the gerbil. However, these protozoa are commensals and naturally occurring and therefore are usually not associated with any clinical signs. Overgrowth of these protozoa can lead to disease. Identification of these protozoa can be performed by faecal examination for cysts.

Flagellated protozoa such as ''Giardia'' and ''Tritrichomonas'' are commonly found colonising the intestines of the gerbil. However, these protozoa are commensals and naturally occurring and therefore are usually not associated with any clinical signs. Overgrowth of these protozoa can lead to disease. Identification of these protozoa can be performed by faecal examination for cysts.

====Tapeworm====

====Tapeworm====

The tapeworms ''Rodentolepis nana'' (dwarf tapeworm) or ''Hymenolepis diminuta'' can cause dehydration and diarrhoea. ''R. nana has a direct life cycle and has the potential to infect humans if ingested.

The tapeworms ''Rodentolepis nana'' (dwarf tapeworm) or ''Hymenolepis diminuta'' can cause dehydration and diarrhoea. ''R. nana'' has a direct life cycle and has the potential to infect humans if ingested.

===Enteritis===

===Enteritis===