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Post by gerbiltab on Oct 17, 2004 17:53:16 GMT -8
not sure what to think on this. Its been several days now since my babes lost there litter. Maple is still moving the nest and she keeps licking her butt and belly. Is she styill thinking she has to care for babies? is she feeling at a loss? Im getting kinda worried
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Post by j on Oct 17, 2004 21:41:01 GMT -8
She knows her litter is gone so she must be feeling some kind of loss.
Licking her stomach alot.. she's probably just cleaning her nipples. Nobody is there to drink the milk, so the milk is still sitting there and probably a very uncomfortable feeling.
Licking her butt.. um milk could also be coming out that end somehow instead of just sitting in the milksacs getting hard and gross..
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Post by moghedien on Oct 18, 2004 16:41:54 GMT -8
I don't know about this when it comes to gerbils, but with respect to licking her nether regions, most animals after giving birth take a while to get back to normal internally, which may include some bleeding, etc. I've never witnessed this with gerbils, but perhaps they keep themselves clean enough that it's not noticeable. Just guessing here.
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Post by lydia on Oct 19, 2004 15:24:42 GMT -8
Have you cleaned her cage out,to remove the smell of her litter ? If not,clean it out so she can't smell them anymore . She will be cleaning her nipples,if they still have milk,although,with out young to suckle,it should dry up quick,it may be smelling her babies,that is helping to keep it coming. I suspect she is moving her nest,'cos she is confused. Don't worry about cleaning herself,if she still had her babes,she would be spending most of her time with them,so you wouldn't notice the cleaning. Have you separated her from her partner ? Maybe get them back together again,she may not want sex,but I bet she wants a cuddle and grooming etc. Lyd
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Post by gerbiltab on Oct 20, 2004 21:44:42 GMT -8
ok ok, this is really freaking me out, im gonna clean the cage fully in a bit, they are both losing weight, i need ideas, im so worried about them now
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Post by doomgerbiluk on Oct 21, 2004 1:59:31 GMT -8
I think a trip to the vets and a thorough review of your husbandry including diet etc is called for. It does sound like an illness doesn't it? or maybe something environmental? oooooooops just reread that. I would add I'm not implying your doing anything wrong, but as something is wrong its worth just reveiwing what you do, when and how to see if something in your routine has slipped.
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Post by gerbiltab on Oct 21, 2004 8:59:26 GMT -8
routine and care have not changed, they get fed same time everyday i spot clean once a week and clean entire cages every 2 weeks. I have 2 other gerbs and have had fro awhile now and they are fine. Im not sure whats up. food is the same and has been with exception of added protein for mommy. i cleaned out the cage entirely again and washed it out good and rinsed it and dried it fully, they are a bit more perky today so maybe the cage cleaning helped. guess time will tell.
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Post by doomgerbiluk on Oct 21, 2004 11:35:35 GMT -8
I really hope so there doesnt seem any reason in your husbandry waht did you use for the protein increase?
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Post by sweetie on Oct 21, 2004 12:40:01 GMT -8
Hey Gerbiltab,
How are they today? I hope there has been some change for the better!! Are they eating good? Maybe try some yummy treats to entice them if they won't.
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Post by gerbiltab on Oct 21, 2004 14:36:10 GMT -8
they are more perky today, i gave them several pieces of kitty food for protein. what to give as treats, these guys are PICKY, much more so than any other gerbs ive met.
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Post by lydia on Oct 22, 2004 14:04:36 GMT -8
Hope they continue to improve,I've got 2 very picky mongolian gerbils.They are un-related,and both are bad at eating commercial gerbil food. Try yours on treats like broken cream crackers,Shaw's Egg Biscuits,if your local pet shop sells these,some cooked egg,some bread or toast(or both),millet sprays,sunflower seed's,banana chips and raisins. All of these treats I've mentioned,should only be offered in small quantities,too much would be bad for them. You could also try some hay for bedding,all of my rodents prefer hay,the gerbils,mice and rat would rather nibble hay. You could also offer them a dust bath,if you don't already do this.Buy some Chinchilla Dust/sand,and put a large enough bowel in their cage for them to roll completely over in the sand. Although mong's do not usually want to bathe as much as some of the other species,I've got a couple who really enjoy their daily bath.I'm suggesting this to take their mind off,whatever is bothering them. You could also try a small piece of cuttlefish,although your female has lost her babies,if she was producing milk,her calcium levels might be a bit low,and cuttlefish is an excellent source of calcium.
These are just a few ideas of mine,from the top of my head.I don't know if they will work or not,but,none of them should cause any harm.The treats could,if fed exclusively and in large quantities. Good luck,I hope they are both soon back to normal. Lyd
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Post by sweetie on Oct 25, 2004 11:35:38 GMT -8
Hey gerb,
In addition to what lyd suggested, you couldtry a little bit of plain yogurt, maelworms, crickets, grasshoppers, or waxworms.
Have you let them out of the cage at all since the litter? Maybe a little free roam time might help.
I am glad to hear the they are a little more perky!!
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Post by lydia on Oct 25, 2004 14:28:37 GMT -8
How are they now ?
Lyd
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