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Gerbils (Laboratory) - Pathology (view source)
Revision as of 14:42, 12 August 2011
, 14:42, 12 August 2011→Digestive System
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Macroscopic pathological findings will include a congested liver and distension within the gastrointestinal tract. There may also be a fibrinosuppurative peritonitis. Microscopic findings will include a positive culture of ''Salmonella'' species.
Macroscopic pathological findings will include a congested liver and distension within the gastrointestinal tract. There may also be a fibrinosuppurative peritonitis. Microscopic findings will include a positive culture of ''Salmonella'' species.
===Starvation/Water Deprivation===
These findings will often be associated with gerbils that have been kept in overcrowded conditions or after shipping. Weanlings are also particularly susceptible if they are unable to reach the food container or water bottle.
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Post mortem will show no gross lesions but an empty stomach and loss of body fat in adults would be common.
===Tyzzer's Disease===
Tyzzer's disease is caused by ''Clostridium piliforme'' which is a gram-negative, pleomorphic, obligate intracellular bacteria. The disease results in an acute enterohepatic disease in gerbils. The incidence of Tyzzer's disease is relatively low in gerbils. Infection is via contact with infected animals via the fecal-oral route. Gerbils are fairly susceptible to this disease and can catch it without any other concurrent diseases. High morbidity and mortality rates can occur, especially in young and pregnant females. Clinical signs will include depression, an unthrifty appearence and watery diarrhoea.
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Macroscopic pathology will include multiple white foci of necrosis within the liver with associated mild to moderate enteritis. There may also be serosal oedema and there is also the potential for brain and cardiac involvement. Microscopic pathology will include coagulative liver necrosis with only minimal inflammatory cell infiltrate. Definitive diagnosis is by demonstration of the organism within hepatocytes surrounding necrotic foci of the liver.
==Other==
==Other==