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Post by pooky on Feb 27, 2005 13:41:15 GMT -8
one of my gerbils has been makeing some weird sounds that sound sort of like sneezing. i think that it usually happens whenever he wakes up and comes out of his nest for food or water or something else, but im not sure, because im not right there watching him for the whole day. i only noticed it today, but i dont know how long its been going for. is it possible for gerbils to get colds or to sneeze? or could this be something like dust in the lungs (i have carefresh bedding)? most importantly, is it serious?
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Post by Ritzie/Admin on Feb 28, 2005 6:23:53 GMT -8
Gerbils can have the cold! And they can have respiratory infections/ problems. Does he keep sneezing! For some days in a row? As far as I know CareFresh should be ok. If the problem continues and/or get worse, I would suggest you to visit a vet. He or she will probably prescribe an antibiotic.
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Post by Christy on Feb 28, 2005 12:42:51 GMT -8
I would switch off carefresh. More and more I'm seeing on threads on various forums, AGS groups, AGS classifieds, discussions about carefresh causing problems with gerbils. One mans litter died on carefresh, the vet examined the pups and found the products fibers in their lungs, that had killed them. Another persons gerbils eyes got exceedingly crusty on carefresh but not other beddings. Others have had skin reactions, or respiratory problems.
Personally I just don't like it because it gets dusty so fast, and smells quickly. I'd switch to corncob or aspen just to be on the safe side.
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Post by sweetie on Feb 28, 2005 12:58:06 GMT -8
Hey Pooky,
I agree with Christy. All of my gerbils had an adverse reaction when I used Carefresh. It is very dusty and also more expensive. I changed back to the Aspen I had been using.
Additionally, you may want to keep an ear out for clicking. I have never experienced this and hope I never do but it is an indicator that the gerbil has a respiratory infection and that you need to get it to a vet ASAP.
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Post by pooky on Feb 28, 2005 21:17:13 GMT -8
ok thanks every body, i will switch to aspen bedding. i thought he might have stopped but when i was down there just now he made a sound that sounded sortof like another one of his sneezes, so ill keep an eye on him.
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Post by RyanF on Mar 6, 2005 8:48:07 GMT -8
My siamese, Burkie, had problems with everything. Her nose became irratated in pine, aspen, and carefresh. Carefresh is also super-expensive, so I switched to shredded newspaper.  |
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Post by pooky on Mar 6, 2005 9:08:18 GMT -8
thanks ryan, if aspen dosent work i will try shreded newspaper.
i was wondering that if taco does have a cold, what should i be trying to do to help him? keep him somewear warmer? give him more bedding?
also, i think that i might be getting a cold now to, so i dont know if i should be touching him, or picking him up. but him and pooky are right in the middle of being split caged right now (see "what do i do" in the "behavior and introducing gerbils" section) so i have to switch them at lest three times a day.
any input would be appreciated
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