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Post by Kenshin on Oct 30, 2004 19:38:57 GMT -8
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Post by paws on Oct 30, 2004 23:57:40 GMT -8
Hi Kenshin
The fur will grow back soon, but, as you know, the tail will never grow back. Gerbils actually look kind of sweet like that. My gerbil Sterling lost his tail and tooks kinda cute. My mum is more willing to pat him because he doesnt "look scary" anymore...lol! ;D
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Post by Ritzie/Admin on Oct 31, 2004 1:52:30 GMT -8
Loss of Tail
Symptoms: The skin of the tail has come loose or is gone. The tail's vertebras don't have any skin over them and can be seen.
Causes: It is possible that you pulled the gerbil by its tail. Also unsafe exercise wheels can be the cause. As you probably know the Mongolian gerbil's tail is very fragile. The tail's skin will come loose very easy, which is a escaping method when the gerbil has been taken by its tail by a predator. The skin will come loose and the gerbil can escape.
Treatment: The tail's vertebras will dry out and fall off in a couple of days. The remaining tail will heal by itself. In some cases the whole tail has been pulled off and than it is good to visit a vet to check if there isn't more damage. The gerbil will adapt to the loss of its tail and won't have any problems with its handicap.
Prevention: Never pull at the tail of your gerbil and never pick your gerbil up by its tail. If you need to, than always pick the gerbil carefully up at the base of its tail, never at the end. You can also pick your gerbil up by grabbing its body or by shovelling it up with your hands. If you want to give your gerbils an exercise wheel, you have to be sure that it will be a safe one. The best wheels are those with a closed back and a closed tread.
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Post by radek on Nov 20, 2004 10:12:37 GMT -8
Its beter even not touch gerbil tail. When I'm cathing gerbil I realy scared of it's tail.
In the cage loosing tail is big encumbrance, but don't you think that this tail is wonderful method of survive with wild gerbils? Some reptiles loose their tails too, crayfishs loosing their legs, some bidrs feathers. It is very strange with mammals.
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Post by doomgerbiluk on Nov 20, 2004 11:40:34 GMT -8
Agreed
I have a 'bobtail' gerbil, his tail didnt develop and he has the oddest structure, it starts by going sideways to his left flank, vry tight to the body, then comes out at an angle and is very short, and finishes with a normal tuft.
I also have two with crooked tails.
One warning..gerbils born with shortened, malformed tails may have a form of spina bifida. The gerbil will probably be healthy and make a great pet but should not be bred from. The females probably have internal malformities which make them unable to give birth unaided and all pups will certainly die in the process.
Personally I prefer to keep them as pets myself so I can be sure no one will even think of breeding from them.
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:-( And do gerbil's look nasty when they have no tail?? Thanks argh... I hate gerbil's tails!! 
:-( And do gerbil's look nasty when they have no tail?? Thanks argh... I hate gerbil's tails!! 
