Selected Veterinary Concerns of Geriatric Rats, Mice, Hamsters, and Gerbils

Improved husbandry and better knowledge of exotic pets have led to a gradual increase in the life span of pets, such as rats, mice, hamsters, and gerbils. Much of the information on these senior patients is derived from the laboratory animal studies and anecdotal practitioner information. Although the small size of some of the patients makes blood collection problematic for hematology and organ function testing, the advent of polymerase chain reaction testing and other molecular diagnostics is allowing practitioners to test for specific etiologies with the small biologic samples available. Radiology and ultrasonography also are valuable diagnostic modalities.