POCKET PETS

Pocket pets include small rodents (mice, rats, gerbils, hamsters, guinea pigs, chinchillas, rabbits), ferrets, and hedgehogs as a group. Should your pocket pet become ill, these normal physiologic variables are provided to assist in the monitoring of his or her vital signs.

 

NORMAL PHYSIOLOGIC VARIABLES FOR POCKET PETS

 

Species

Temperature

(°C)

Heart Rate

(beats/min)

Respiration

(beats/min)

Chinchilla

38.9 - 39.4

200-350

45 - 80

Ferret

38 - 40

250

33 - 36

Gerbil

37 - 39

250-500

90 - 140

Guinea Pig

37.2 - 39.5

230-380

42 - 104

Hamster

37 - 38

250-500

35 - 135

Hedgehog

35.1

189-320

60 - 220

Mouse

36.5 - 38

325-780

60 - 220

Rabbit

38.5 - 40

130-325

30 - 60

Rat

35.9 - 37.5

250-450

70 - 115

SOURCE- Veterinary Technician, October 1998