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Post by Thelodar on Jun 21, 2015 16:15:24 GMT -8
They were both sleeping in each others nests, showing no aggression through the bars. After a switch they'd explore for a minute or less (and didn't seem stressed or frantic, just curious about being on the other side), scent mark the water bottle a couple of times and then either go sleep in the nest or chew on some cardboard. I wouldn't say I was super confident they'd do well but I can't think of what else to look for to let me know they're ready, they seem pretty fine with each other through the split. I'll give it at least another week before trying again.
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Post by betty on Jun 22, 2015 3:56:16 GMT -8
Yeah - they can go together sometimes very quickly, but I never try mine in less than a week unless they are a male and female who I am planning to breed as they often go together on the second heat.
And did you take the split divide out for this and leave them in the same tank - or did you put them together in a new space? This can sometimes make a difference...
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Post by Thelodar on Jun 22, 2015 4:06:08 GMT -8
I kept them in the same tank and just puled up the divide. It was exactly one week in the split when I tried them. I think I was given confidence by all the youtube videos of people bringing home a gerbil, throwing them together with their current gerbil, and then having them live happily ever after.
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Post by betty on Jun 22, 2015 4:34:41 GMT -8
I'm sure after another week of intense swapping, they will go together (as long as they weren't showing any obvious signs of discontent).
I have only ever had one proper split fail before - which was an older female and very old male. Just a personality clash - you expect one of them every so often... just like us humans!
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Post by Thelodar on Jul 7, 2015 5:11:43 GMT -8
Unfortunately Stax passed away through the night.
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Post by betty on Jul 7, 2015 5:47:14 GMT -8
Oh dear - that is a shame.
Perhaps that is why the split didn't work - poor Stax wasn't on top form and it was confusing their interactions.
Poop.
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Post by Thelodar on Jul 7, 2015 5:58:13 GMT -8
Yes, I don't think she was feeling well at all. I had actually tried introducing them a second time and she would just start squeaking if Logan came anywhere near her. He did very well, backed off each time, but she wasn't feeling it at all. I also believe she was deaf. If one of my boys started thumping the other two would immediately thump or run and hide, she didn't appear to notice at all. I'd never heard her thump. She was a very deep sleeper. Taking the lid off and talking didn't wake her, I had to blow on her. If I tried to pick her up from behind she'd squeak and sometimes pee. I thought she was just not very tame but now I just don't think she heard me coming. If I scooped with two hands she was much better.
I wish I could have fully integrated them before she got sick so she would have had a friend in the end, but I suppose that would have just made things harder on Logan. I just hope the vet trip we took last week didn't give her a heart attack or something. That seems to be when things started really going downhill.
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Post by betty on Jul 7, 2015 6:37:13 GMT -8
I don't think there was anything you did or didn't do that caused this - it sounds like she was just towards the end of her life and simply wasn't acting like a 'normal' gerbil through the time you had her. Perhaps your trip to the vets and her new home with you just allowed her to finally relax and let go.
I'm sure you will find another friend for Logan soon - he was obviously keen on making friends...
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Post by Thelodar on Jul 7, 2015 6:49:21 GMT -8
I am interested in finding him a friend still but now after this I'm not sure if I want to do another older lady or if I should give a male pup a try instead.
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