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Post by jumpyspeedyrule on Aug 2, 2015 11:10:32 GMT -8
Hi guys! I had two gerbils, Jumpy and Speedy, but at 2 years old Speedy died a couple days ago. The we discovered a large scemt gland tumor on Jumpy. I know you should typically get gerbil friends for an elderly gerbil, but I want to get 4 gerbils when the time comes for new gerbils. I dont know if this is a good idea because I can only get females and with Jumpys tumor.
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Post by t1gg3er on Aug 3, 2015 1:16:22 GMT -8
Other people on here have far more experience than me, but personally I would concentrate on caring for Jumpy rather than trying to introduce him to new friends. If he's just lost his cagemate & also has a tumor he needs lots of TLC (and a visit to the vet if possible) & probably wouldn't feel up to dealing with the stress of new introductions.
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Post by betty on Aug 3, 2015 4:33:06 GMT -8
If you are having the scent gland removed along with the tumour, then he might find it very hard to be split to another male as he will have to take the lesser role with the other one being dominant - and it takes a month of so to be really in the clear from the op.
If you split him to 4 pups, he may well accept them all as a caring older male - but it wouldn't be too long before the youngsters became men and wanted to topple him off the top...
Splitting him to an older single female on the other hand after recovery may well be just fine.
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Post by jumpyspeedyrule on Aug 3, 2015 16:25:41 GMT -8
Betty, because of where I live and my money surgery isnt an option. I guess I wont give her friends and just let her live out her days :/
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Post by betty on Aug 3, 2015 22:41:14 GMT -8
Oh, she's a female? Sorry I assumed she was male. Then, no - don't split her to another female.
And, if you can't get the surgery done then you are going to have to make yourself a real hard decision soon, as if it gets worse and starts to bleed a lot or cause her discomfort or pain, you won't be wanting her on lots of medication, will you? Or worse, if you don't have a vet nearby and she can't even get any pain meds...
Also, these little critters try to hold off looking like they are in pain for some time, so if she starts to show a lot of signs that she is no longer just a relaxed normal gerbil, then perhaps that can be taken as a sign that she is ready to go. I have had to make that decisions myself several times - but I know it is better for them. I have seem some really bad ulcerated scent gland tumours, and I couldn't imagine a little one living with that and not getting medical treatment for pain and infection control.
So, I am afraid this could be bad news for you in the long run, unless you can find a vet who is willing to give basic treatment to a small rodent? You don't have to go to a special exotic vet for pain meds and to identify an ulcerated tumour - they can all do that. Just make sure you make it clear what your budget is before they start treatment and stick to your guns.
And on a side note - I personally wouldn't get 4 female gerbils together. Others may disagree, but I have never had a group of females stay together as friends for more than a year - two sisters are the only ones I can get the last. So if you do do females - make sure they are all littermate sisters at least, and have a spare tank/cage waiting in the wings. You could be fine as they are your only gerbils, but I have never had any luck with them myself.
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Post by jumpyspeedyrule on Aug 4, 2015 16:24:12 GMT -8
Ya thanks! I always get from the same litter though and have a spare 10 gallon that I had before my 20 gallon.
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