Thoughts on showing gerbils

[crazy4gerbils]

Hey

I'm going through a minor crisis right now. Before you get worried, calm down. I'm just having a inner argument about showing gerbils.

I showed (correct grammar?) Athena at the Maryland show this year and really enjoyed it. That was the same show where some of Katie's (Moonstonegerbils) gerbils caught a disease. That scared me off of showing, but now I wonder whether I should really be this worried. I mean, that's the only time I've heard of it, and I've talked to a few breeders about it.

See, my problem is that I would love to show, but I don't want my gerbies to get sick. Yet at the same time I really enjoying showing. Then I feel selfish for even thinking about endangering my gerbils. But then I think wait-- but this is really uncommon! do I really have to worry about this? My thoughts are just going in circles and I really don't know what to to. I'd just like to know what other people think about showing.

Thanks in advance!

Sarah

[MoonstoneGerbils]

I don't think its something you should really be worried about. What happened to me at the Mid Atlantic show is unusual. After that show the AGS did change a few of their health inspection protocols, and as a general practice gerbils will only be handled by owners, judges/inspectors, and adopters.
Although I did lose a number of gerbils because of the disease my gerbils picked up at the show, I also know that the disease came from outside the AGS, from a member of the public. I will no longer be allowing people to handle my gerbils at gerbil shows.
Bringing your gerbils to a gerbil show is really no different than taking your dog to a petstore, vet clinic, dog park, or a dog show.

If you are careful about what your gerbils are exposed to, and you follow proper quarantine practices your risk is minimal.

[crazy4gerbils]

Thanks Katie This news has thrilled me, I really wanted to get into showing again.

[gerbilmama]

I think that is a good idea. Not letting people handle your gerbils. It is sad for the kids who want to handle them but the life of my gerbil is a little more important to me.