Rodent - Hamsters, Gerbils, Rats & Mice - Owning

General information

Small rodents (hamsters, rats, mice, gerbils) are very popular pets. Compared to dogs and cats, they have a shorter life-span (1-3 years depending upon the species); young children should be told this so that the "sudden death" of a 1-year-old pet isn't unexpected. As with any pet, they do occasionally get sick, and their illnesses are often severe. All pet rodents should be examined by a qualified veterinary surgeon within 48 hours of purchase. This 'new pet' exam is critical to detect signs of disease and help new pet owners get off on the right foot. So many problems are caused by misinformation; the first veterinary visit can help prevent well-intentioned owners from doing the wrong thing and ultimately contributing to the pet's early death.

Rodents are herbivorous animals, and the digestive tract is, in some ways similar to that of other plant-eaters such as horses and cattle.

Rats and mice

Porphyrin from the Harderian glands around the eyes causes tears and nasal secretions to appear red. The mammary glands extend along the underneath of the animal from chin to hindlegs, and therefore breast cancer can appear as a lump ANYWHERE along this line. Young mice and rats are born hairless with their eyes closed.

Hamsters

Hip glands, which appear as a black dot on each hip, are present in males. They are used for territorial marking and are poorly developed in females. Hamsters have a cheek pouch on each side of the inside of the mouth. Food, and even baby hamsters, may be temporarily stored here! Hamsters are the most aggressive of all the small rodents. Hamsters can hibernate. A sleeping hamster should be awakened carefully! Because of this a hamster appearing dead may merely be in a deep state of torpor (sleep) and should be warmed and awakened, not buried!

Gerbils

Since gerbils are desert animals, they have a very low water requirement. Due to this low water intake, gerbils urinate small amounts.

Gerbils usually mate for life; they should be paired before sexual maturity.

Some gerbils may exhibit mild spontaneous seizures (epilepsy), especially when startled. These usually don't require treatment.

Gerbils have high blood cholesterol and lipid (fat) levels but interestingly do not show heart disease and atherosclerosis (fat deposition in the blood vessels).

Selecting your pet

Most owners will buy their pet rodents locally through a pet store. Avoid sick-looking animals. Don't try to be a 'Good Samaritan'. Remember that, with exotic pets, if it looks sick, it's really dying! Trying to nurse a sick pet rodent back to health after purchasing it will rarely work. Just the stress of the new environment and feeding is often enough to kill it. So, start out right with a healthy pet. Always inquire about the guarantee in case the pet is found to be unhealthy.

The pet rodent should have no discharge from the eyes, nose, or mouth. If you can open the mouth (without being bitten!), make sure the front teeth, the incisors, have not overgrown (they should form a nice, even fit). The animal should seem frisky and try to run and resist handling to some extent. No coughing, sneezing, or wheezing should be present. Examine the rectal area. It should be dry and free of diarrhoea or caked-on stool. This is especially important for young hamsters; many baby hamsters at pet stores have a disease called 'wet tail', which is usually fatal. Ask the employee for help in determining the animal's sex. However the sex of a young rodent can be very difficult to determine, especially if there are no other animals to compare the individual with. Hopefully the sex can be correctly determined during your pet's first veterinary visit but do not be too hard on the vet if this proves difficult!

The first veterinary visit

Within 48 hours of your purchase, your pet should be examined by a veterinary surgeon knowledgeable in the treatment of pet rodents. The visit includes determining the animal's weight, as well as checking for lumps or bumps. The animal is examined for signs of dehydration and starvation. A faecal test may be done to check for internal parasites. The veterinary surgeon can also attempt to determine the sex of your pet. If all turns out well, your pet will be given a clean bill of health. Like all pets, pet rodents should be examined annually.

Vaccinations

Pet rodents do not require vaccinations.