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mites
Jan 2, 2005 20:30:23 GMT -8
Post by tare on Jan 2, 2005 20:30:23 GMT -8
Hello, I’ve been reading this message board for a few months now, I love it I have 13 gerbils, 4 of them are babies who just opened their eyes. I found mites on one of the adult gerbils so I went ahead and scrubbed out all the cages and sprayed them with flea and tick spray I found at pet smart. (except for the mother and babies, I put them downstairs) I also have some 8 in 1 bird protectors, the vet told me to use them last time I had mites. Has any one used the bird protectors before? There a white round metal thing that hangs on the outside of the cage. Also does anyone have any advice to help get rid of the mites?
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mites
Jan 3, 2005 7:46:58 GMT -8
Post by Ritzie/Admin on Jan 3, 2005 7:46:58 GMT -8
Symptoms: Scabs, eczema, and itch with parasitic mites. Restless gerbils and sometimes also a bloom on the window of your tank with non-parasitic mites.
Causes: Mites can be a harmful and/or inconvenient parasite. It is not common, but if you gerbils have mites, you have to do a lot of work. Mites are miniscule spiders. Some mite-species works itself into your gerbil's skin, where they're not or hardly visible. These mites cause scabs and eczema that can cover the whole skin in a month, they are contagious for some other animals. One parasitic disease caused by mites is Demodectic mange is caused by Demodex meroni. Some mites are not really a parasite, but can come in your gerbil's tank by their food. These mites are not really a problem for your gerbils, because they don't sit on your gerbils. But when there number grows explosively, your gerbils can get restless. Sometimes you can also see a bloom on the widow of their tank that by close inspection seems to be a lot of grains of dust that walk around. These mites can be smaller than grains of salt and blood lice. These mites can also be a host for worms!
Treatment: For parasitic mites you can get medicines by your vet and the better pet shops. Read always the instruction for use carefully. Most of the times you need to bath the gerbil with the medicine. Wipe them always dry afterwards, because otherwise they can get a cold, and bring them in a warm environment (at least 25 °C). For non-parasitic mites the best way is to immerse all your materials, inclusive the nesting box, branches, etc., in hot chlorine water (bleaching agent dissolved in hot water) for minimal 5 minutes. Give them also other new food, because that is most of the times the cause. Be careful with plastic tanks, because they can get dull by chlorine.
Prevention: Be sure that your gerbils are healthy. Weak, sick animals are more prone for parasites. Purchase your gerbils only at good pet shops or breeders. Give your gerbils a food of good quality and store this food in a good way.
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mites
Jan 4, 2005 11:14:55 GMT -8
Post by tare on Jan 4, 2005 11:14:55 GMT -8
Should I soak all of my gerbil stuff in hot chlorine water while treating these parasitic mites? I've just been using hot soapy water; maybe that’s why I can't get rid of them?
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mites
Jan 4, 2005 14:59:38 GMT -8
Post by doomgerbiluk on Jan 4, 2005 14:59:38 GMT -8
Yes Bleach will kill the eggs etc. Make sure you clean all crevices, under shelves corners etc throughly clean the shelving, the wall and espcially ANYTHING made of wood.
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