title: Hematologic assessment in pet rats, mice, hamsters, and gerbils: blood sample collection and blood cell identification.
abstract: Hamsters, gerbils, rats, and mice are presented to veterinary clinics and hospitals for prophylactic care and treatment of clinical signs of disease. Physical examination, history, and husbandry practice information can be supplemented greatly by assessment of hematologic parameters. As a resource for veterinarians and their technicians, this article describes the methods for collection of blood, identification of blood cells, and interpretation of the hemogram in mice, rats, gerbils, and hamsters.
authors.affiliation: Virginia Tech, 300 Turner Street Northwest, Suite 4120 (0497), Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA.
authors.forename: Nicole M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Lindstrom
authors.affiliation: Virginia Tech, 300 Turner Street Northwest, Suite 4120 (0497), Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA. Electronic address: moored@vt.edu.
authors.forename: David M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Moore
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology (0442), Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, 245 Duck Pond Drive, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA.
authors.forename: Kurt
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Zimmerman
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology (0442), Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, 245 Duck Pond Drive, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA.
authors.forename: Stephen A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Smith
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001773:Blood Cells / Q000166:cytology; D001800:Blood Specimen Collection / Q000662:veterinary*; D006224:Cricetinae; D005849:Gerbillinae; D006405:Hematology / Q000379:methods; D051379:Mice; D009115:Muridae / Q000097:blood*; D057805:Pets / Q000097:blood*; D051381:Rats
keywords: Blood collection; Gerbil; Hamster; Hematology; Hemogram; Mouse; Rat