Pups have gunky noses!!

[Sami]

My gerbil babies are 8 days old, and the mommy and daddy are doing a good job taking care of the babies. They are on corncob bedding with tons of TP and kleenex, with no wheel or cardboard in the tank. The only toy is a jar on the other end, I also gave the parent's hay (I think it was timothY). They also have a food dish.

But the babies all have gook in their noses, it looks plugged up. Is this normal? I didn't notce before they all seem healthy and are furry, but have plugged noses. It's not red, but kinda tannish brownish maybe a little green in their gook colored. They aren't clicking and aren't cold and are getting cleaned by the parents. The cage is a little bit dirty, 20 gallon long aquarium, as parent's had pups 2 weeks after they were in it. But it doesn't see dusty and doesn't smell bad.

Are the babies ok or should I change the tank or somehow clean their noses? THey're so small though, please help!!

[Ritzie/Admin]

If they seem to act normal, I would wait. See how it develops. CornCob should be a good bedding!

[sweetie]

How are things going? I would say listen carefully as much as you can for clicking. Keep an eye on them and the parents. The parents will most likely *dispose* of unhealthy pups. It is natures way.

[Sami]

Thanks Peter, things are looking the same.

Babies still have a bit of gook between their nose, but aren't clicking. I don't know what it is, or what is causing it. They're very big and furry now, parent's are still taking care of them, always in the nest with them. Sometimes the mom will leave the nest though, and only dad's their (when she drinks and eats), but dad leaves to sit in a jar to when mom's back, not just for eating. Once both parent's left the nest (buried pups first).

Babies are stronger now and when I turn them over to figure out if they are boys or girls they wiggle a lot. It was much easier before, so I guess they are healthy, the gunky noses has me worried though. I'll keep watching and making sure they don't get cold or click. Thank you for helping me

(ps: have either of you seen young babies with gunky noses before?)

[lydia]

I've never had pups with gunky noses,but,I do know of 2 other ppl who either posted on here,or another gerbil forum who had pups with this problem.
Theirs were both treated for a R.I.,although I can't remember now if their pups were clicking.

Lyd

[sweetie]

May I ask what type of litter you are using?

[Sami]

I'm using corncob litter, and changed the litter today, so it's still fresh, and they have strips of kleenex for nest making. The gunk has pretty much cleared up, but I went to a forum called Petshub today and was looking at baby pictures breeders have, and in them you can see their pup have gook plugging their noses to. Is this common? It looks yellowish green in their pictures, but no one was mentioning it. Mine still aren't clicking, and everyone has their eyes open now, but the gunk makes me uncomfortable. Is their something I should do to make sure the next litter doesn't get it?

Thank you!!!!

[sweetie]

Hey Sami,

I have had 5 litters (not much experience) and I have not yet noticed. Perhaps other members with more experience can answer this.