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Fits
Mar 4, 2005 4:43:20 GMT -8
Post by paul on Mar 4, 2005 4:43:20 GMT -8
Hello I have read before that sometimes when handling Gerbis they can have a fit, i experienced this for myself for the first time yesterdy when one of my Gerbils (Scratchy) just stoped moving and then just lay on her side. The advise that i had read was to just put them back in there cages and let them recover for themselfs. I did this and after about 10mins she seemed fine, however i am concerned as to why they do this, is it because they are fightened of being handled and if so sould i stop handling her as much or altogether?. Also does anyone know if there are any long term effects of these fits?
Thanks Paul
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Fits
Mar 4, 2005 5:16:45 GMT -8
Post by Ritzie/Admin on Mar 4, 2005 5:16:45 GMT -8
I have had three gerbils with this problem! But thye had fits only when thye were young. Once they became older and more tame the fits disappeared also. I hope for you and your gerbil that it will be the same. Severe fits can happen also.
Here some info from my website: Fits (epilepsy)
Symptoms: The gerbil lays flat and starts to twitch, the ears go back and the gerbil may drool at the mouth. Within a few minutes the gerbil will compose itself and go about its business. A picture of a gerbil with fits can be seen at the Dutch version of this page or the Ailments page of the National Gerbil Society website.
Causes: Some breeding-lines are prone to epilepsy. That's why Mongolian gerbils are much used for scientific neurological research. Also they get fits due to stress from fights, handling, etc. A shortage of magnesium seems to play also a role.
Treatment: You can't treat it. If this should happen replace the gerbil back in its cage immediately and remove the cage to quite area. The only thing you can do is to let it go to itself again. Within a few minutes the gerbil will compose itself and go about its business. Don't breed with gerbils that are prone to epilepsy, as it can be passed down from generation to generation.
Prevention: Purchase tame gerbils or make them tame. Give your gerbils food that is rich in minerals (especially magnesium is important). The furnishing of their cage needs to be varied. Besides all this you need to prevent stress.
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Fits
Mar 4, 2005 5:20:53 GMT -8
Post by Ritzie/Admin on Mar 4, 2005 5:20:53 GMT -8
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Fits
Mar 7, 2005 9:50:42 GMT -8
Post by AndreaS15 on Mar 7, 2005 9:50:42 GMT -8
I have two females Agoutis (sisters) who have had the same thing. When porsche (my oldest pup) had her first on X-Mas eve I thought she was dieing. Porsche is now 4 months old and she hasn't had one for a month at least. My second litter had another Agouti female and she to just had her first this past weekend. From everythign I have read there is nothing we can do for them And that gerbil seizures are very much like humans seizures. I have 5 other pups (4 this litter, one from the first) and none of them have shown any sign of illness. So far it's just the two Golden Agouti Females. I'm wondering what sex and colour are yours? and did you purchase them from a breeder or? My were bred myself, The mother from a breeder in Washington who never had any members of her clan seizure, and the Dad who is from a Pet shop I got at 5/6 weeks never had a seizure either. From what I've read the mother can actually be the carrier, and though she shows no signs her pups can. When my seizure i don't palce them back in with the others, I find the others don't care she's sick, and just knock her over so i usualy just talk gently to them untill them come out of it, and then let them go sleep back in the nest.
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Fits
Mar 7, 2005 10:02:49 GMT -8
Post by paws on Mar 7, 2005 10:02:49 GMT -8
I think the same happened to me. Last ngiht my gerbil Phoenix had a stroke, and once he had recovered he began to twitch.... I think he recovered better than me! I was so worried last night. To make him releaxed I placed him into a warm room with the lights dimmed, talked softly to him and temoved his birghtly coloured toys from his cage because I was worried he would get stressed out from these.
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Fits
Mar 7, 2005 16:25:44 GMT -8
Post by lydia on Mar 7, 2005 16:25:44 GMT -8
Not sure if it would help or not,but,if any of your gerbils do have a fit,and you decide to not place in back with it's regular clan.Maybe removing the nest bedding from the cage,and putting it into the hospital tank may help their recovery.
I'm thinking that when we clean their tanks out,or they are put in a new tank with fresh litter they normally rush around and re-arrange everything.We effectively put them into alien territory. Maybe when they are recovering from a fit,or from a cold/fight injuries,they would suffer less stress and recover quicker with smells and scents that they are accustomed to.
I honestly don't know,maybe some other ppl have thoughts on this.
Lyd
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Fits
Mar 8, 2005 21:39:57 GMT -8
Post by AndreaS15 on Mar 8, 2005 21:39:57 GMT -8
I think that's a good idea. I find though 'usually' the seizure dosn't last very long (couple minutes) though Porsche had one that lasted quite some time once but it was only that one time.
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