Etiology: Barbering of the tail hairs is observed in gerbils living in cages that are overcrowded.
Incidence: Barbering is common.
Clinical Signs: Hair loss is noted near the base of the tail on the subordinate gerbil in the group.
Photo courtesy of: MONGOLIAN GERBILS: Care, Diseases, and Use in Research, S. L. Motzel, DVM, MS, PhD, J. E. Wagner, DVM, MPH, PhD
Diagnosis: A diagnosis can be made by a history of cage crowding and clinical signs.