HEMORRHAGIC GASTRITIS IN FREE-LIVING RODENTS IN IDAHO

Between February 1992 and Marc 1994, four species of rodent from the S nake River Birds of Prey Area near Boise, Idaho (USA) were necropsied. Hemorrhagic gastritis was observed in 16 of 131 Townsend's ground squ irrels (Spermophilus townsendii), one of 11 Ord's kangaroo rats (Dipod omys ordii) and the one Great Basin pocket mouse (Perognathus parvus) evaluated. No lesions were observed in 14 white-footed deer mice (Pero -myscus maniculatus). Tissue from one Townsend's ground squirrel was n egative for Helicobacter sp.-like bacteria.