I find myself unusually lexicographically challenged …
One of the abandoned gerbils.
Compared to other places where I worked when I was younger South Woodham Ferrers is a great place to be a vet. The majority of my clients are excellent, responsible people who are only interested in one thing, the welfare of their animals. There are however always a few exceptions in any community as far as animal welfare is concerned. Recently someone abandoned twenty two gerbils in four cages outside of my surgery one Sunday morning when we were closed and by the time I arrived much later a few had died. Shortly after that episode two pet rats were dumped in a cage down by the river. On reading this article I suppose the persons concerned will recognise who they are, I have been trying to think up a suitable label for the culprits but find myself unusually lexicographically challenged. I must phone up Father Jack Hackett from the Father Ted television series to see if he can think of a suitable phrase to describe them …
Anyway all this gives me an idea for an article, a few facts about some of the types of rodents I commonly see as pets at my clinic in South Woodham.
Rabbits
Rabbits make good pets but the odd one can be aggressive, most of my clients keep their rabbits in hutches in the garden but now some are being kept indoors as a “ house rabbits “. They seem to adapt quite well to living indoors and soon learn to use a litter tray but you have to watch they do not chew through electrical wiring. They have a life expectancy of between eight and twelve years, they can breed from about five to six months of age and can have an average number of about seven young who will be weaned at seven to eight weeks of age. The operation to castrate or neuter a male rabbit is quite straightforward and can be done to let male and female rabbits live together.
Rats
Rats are in my opinion the best rodents to keep as pets, lots of people have an aversion to them but they are intelligent, naturally clean, and given the chance will be amusing and affectionate. Rats usually live for around two years, although some make it to three and beyond, they can breed from about six weeks of age and can be weaned at four weeks of age. Rats are social creatures and should not be kept singly but are better in pairs. Like people, rats are omnivores. They fare best on fresh wholesome foods: wholegrain rice, vegetables, grains (wheat, barley, oats, millet), wholemeal bread, etc. and some animal protein. High protein puppy food is useful as a supplement, Commercial rat foods such as “ Reggie Rat “ are available as well. It is important to keep rats in well ventilated areas as they suffer from respiratory diseases.
Gerbils
The normal species kept is the Mongolian Gerbil but there are others. Gerbils are bright, active, and curious creatures who have an endearing tendency to sit on upright their hind legs and watch you, they are great chewers and will gnaw their way through most things including plastic. Gerbils have a life expectancy of two to three years, they have litters of about five young and can breed from the age of three months. Gerbils should not be kept alone as they are sociable creatures and like to sleep curled up together. I feed mine on a commercial mix called “Gertie Gerbil “, hamster food is said to be very suitable, a mix of seeds, grains and nuts. They normally do not bite and are easy to get hand tame.
Hamsters
In 1931 the Syrian (or Golden) Hamster made its appearance in England. These animals came from a breeding program established in Jerusalem from specimens caught in Syria. Only one male and two females survived, and it is from these three that all domestic stock was produced. The Golden Hamster is the one most commonly kept but I encounter other species called Russian or Chinese Hamsters, they are a bit smaller than the Golden Hamster and tend to be more aggressive. The Golden Hamster is better kept alone as it will fight bitterly with other hamsters, the Russian ones are more gregarious and can be kept in groups. The average life span for the Syrian Hamster is two to two and a half years, the average litter size is eight and the gestation period is just sixteen days. Females can breed from about five weeks of age. They are probably best fed on commercial hamster food but they relish small treats like lettuce and raisins from time to time.
Well these are a few facts about the commoner rodent species I treat , I do see other rodents as well such as chinchillas. What is my favourite pet rodent? well none of these it is the Grey Squirrel but I will devote another article to those.
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