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Post by pastelpml on May 1, 2015 3:01:49 GMT -8
Please help! My gerbil only 9 weeks old chewed up the top of his cage and got out in the night! I have a cat to so I'm really worried. Any ideas about how to find him would be really helpful.
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redsky
Member
Bournville, Marshmallow and Fudge
Posts: 543
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Post by redsky on May 1, 2015 4:07:42 GMT -8
The best way to catch him would be to have a deep bucket or container (they can jump pretty high), stack some books or similar as a stairway leading to the bucket, with something soft for him to land on when he jumps in. Put in some cucumber or similar (for a water source) and some food and treats to lure him to jump in. Of course you can only do with with as many deep containers you have so you can use another method to try to find what room he is in.
I find the best way to locate any small animal is to lightly dust the floor (or a sheet of dark paper) with some flour and put some food in the middle (something you know will lure him in). Do this in any room that he could of got into.
The room that he normally lives is in most likely where he will return, I found that my gerbils like to go back home when ever they get spooked so leave him easy access to his cage.
As for your cat, the only thing I can suggest is to put him/her out of the way while you try to locate your gerbil. Maybe a room that usually has the door closed or if your cat is used to being outside then put him/her out of a while, so you can completely check a room and put him/her into there. Then go room by room and search.
I hope you find your little one. One of mine escaped a couple of times, luckily she was really tame and knew I was the treat supply so once she became hungry she came to my bed and managed to wake my OH (he's a really light sleeper) up. And even more lucky my dog was never bothered about them.
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Post by betty on May 1, 2015 9:13:40 GMT -8
Gerbils generally follow a pattern when they escape and will keep running down the same route. You just need to gradually close down access to the room until you know the gerbil is in one tiny corner and then wait very quietly for him to enter a safe part where you can corner him.
You do have to just sit still and wait. Sometimes for half an hour or more until you see where they are. Moving about all the time sometimes make it worse. Once you know what room they are in with the food and flour trick, set your trap and wait..
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Post by moonlight7wolf on May 1, 2015 10:58:35 GMT -8
I would first isolate your cat into an area that you know your gerbil isn't so that your cat doesn't end up catching your little gerbil. But the advice others gave to catch him is good advice. I really hope you find him!
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Post by pastelpml on May 1, 2015 11:53:33 GMT -8
Thank you so much! We know he is upstairs because my sister heard him in her room in the night. I will try the flour trick. I hope it works!
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Post by pastelpml on May 1, 2015 13:37:11 GMT -8
My dad found him and now he is sleeping in his cage with his brother! I'm so glad that he didn't get hurt.
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Post by betty on May 2, 2015 4:01:20 GMT -8
Yay - good news...
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Post by horselover on May 2, 2015 7:29:04 GMT -8
Glad to hear he is safe and sound!
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Post by pastelpml on May 8, 2015 3:09:55 GMT -8
So I woke up this morning and found they chewed threw the lid and both of them escaped! We rescued Smudge from the cat but we are still trying to find Bubbles!
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Post by betty on May 8, 2015 5:46:48 GMT -8
oh no - this happens so often. You really have to make these lids gerbil proof for all occasions. Even if they never tried to escape before - in just one night they can change their mind!
I just had one out myself - used my cornering maneuver and all was well again.... (phew).
Hope you are as lucky with Bubbles.
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Post by pastelpml on May 8, 2015 12:00:43 GMT -8
We found him and my dad got some metal mesh so they can't chew it. But something is wrong with Smudge. He can't seem to keep his eyes open and is squinting. I wonder if it has something to do with the fiber glass they chewed?
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Post by catnut on May 8, 2015 15:10:30 GMT -8
I hope Smudge will be okay, how is he now? do take him to a vet if you can and think he may be in trouble. It could also be stress or not drinking so he could feel better after a rest.
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Post by pastelpml on May 8, 2015 15:26:43 GMT -8
He is drinking more than usual actually. I am thinking It is because of going down a lot of stairs. He must of fallen and bonked his head maybe.
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redsky
Member
Bournville, Marshmallow and Fudge
Posts: 543
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Post by redsky on May 10, 2015 2:49:46 GMT -8
Chewing (and possibly eating) fibre glass could make him very ill and possibly fatal. Keep a close eye on him. I'm not sure that a vet would be able to do anything to help other than pain killers and if things get too grim them helping him to pass on. Fibre glass obviously contains lots of tiny bits of glass, my concern is that these could be shredding his insides. If he starts passing blood I would take him to the vets asap. Also you said you rescued him from the cat, is it possible the cat bit him? If so again internal problems could arise.
I hope he's feeling better and glad you now have a safe lid.
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Post by pastelpml on May 10, 2015 3:20:53 GMT -8
I have checked him all over and he has no cat bites. But I'm worried because he has started licking me then licking the side of the tank. Even though he has been drinking a lot more water then usual! I have heard that licking the side of the cage means they are thirsty but he has been drinking so much!
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