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Post by ashleyrenee on Apr 18, 2006 12:19:03 GMT -8
I thought thats what they were called until i looked them up today. Maybe they arent really to be honest i dont know what they are but I seriously need to get rid of them. Ill see if they have that. How do you give them the medicine? Do you just rub it on them?
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Post by ashleyrenee on Apr 18, 2006 12:27:36 GMT -8
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Post by maxthegerbil on Apr 19, 2006 7:42:12 GMT -8
You really need to take your gerbils to a vet who is good with rodents to get a proper diagnosis and treatment with Ivermectin. If these bugs are drawing blood as you think they are, your gerbils may become aneamic through having their blood sucked from them. I would`nt guess with this, I would seek a vets advice now.
Gerbils HATE water, so I would`nt bath them.
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Post by ashleyrenee on Apr 19, 2006 7:49:11 GMT -8
Ok ill try to get in today im not sure if i can.
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Post by maxthegerbil on Apr 19, 2006 7:59:31 GMT -8
Hiya. If your gerbils are scratching a lot more than your comfortable with and you can actually SEE these wee creatures, then I`m pretty sure it`s lice. A commercial lice powder sold for birds might do the trick for you.
If your finding it difficult to see a vet, go to your pet store`s bird section and ask for a bird dusting powder for MITES & LICE only. Once you have this home, read the instructions VERY carefully! Rub the powder gently into the gerbils fur (avoiding the eyes and nose). I can`t advise whether this would have to be done each day, or once or twice a week? Maybe someone reading this who has used dusting powder can advise on this?
Good luck and this should help you out a little. Don`t panic yet! Just make sure anything in their tank is cleaned and dissinfected daily until you are sure the lice are gone.
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Post by ashleyrenee on Apr 21, 2006 14:43:05 GMT -8
what a sand bath after i clean their tank? dont i have 2 mircowave it for stanization if so how long? all i have is chin sand will that work?
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Post by squeaksister on Apr 21, 2006 19:26:07 GMT -8
Ashleyrenee have you brought them to the vets yet? You have to bring them to the vet. No amount of soaking in hot water and sandbaths will get rid of your problem. You need Ivermectin from the vet and either a spray or a powder to completely eliminate them. If you dont do that then they wont go away on their own.
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Post by ashleyrenee on Apr 22, 2006 6:23:21 GMT -8
Ok i know i need to take them to the vet but i have no money! (no offense or yelling) And last time i took them to the vet i asked them for that ivermectin and they didnt give it to me because they dont know how to treat small animals like mine! Sorry for yelling. They always say well this is for cats or this is for dogs and we dont know how much to give you so they wont overdose on it. THEY ARE STUPID! and thats just hte vet in town. My regular vet doesnt have anything like ivermectin. Which sucks. but ill try again.
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Post by squeaksister on Apr 22, 2006 8:52:05 GMT -8
Nobody is yelling at you I dont know of any other way to effectively get rid of mites/lice whatever without seeing a vet. Is there no other vet nearby that you can see? Maybe your vet can call another vet on advice on how to mix up the right Ivermectin dosage for you. And dont worry noone here thinks you have dirty habits just because your gerbils have mites/lice everyone knows that these things happen to even the cleanest of people
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Post by maxthegerbil on Apr 22, 2006 10:30:58 GMT -8
Hi ashleyrenee. I think the main reason for you to seek veterinary advice is because although `over the counter` products are fine to use, it`s best if you can see a vet who will have ivermectin and know the correct dilution to use. I`m so sorry that the vet you saw previously did`nt seem to know what he/she was doing? It beggers belief that a trained vet does`nt know the dilution of an anti-parasitic solution? I know vets in the U.S can be very expensive too. I`ve had one mouse treated over a three week period by a vet and to be honest, I was`nt convinced it was mites he had. I changed his diet soon afterwards and the scratching and scabbing completely dissapeared! Although you obviously do have a parasite problem going on, so please do try and see or speak to another vet if you can.
Best wishes and hope you find a solution to your problem soon. x
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Post by topaz on Apr 22, 2006 10:49:29 GMT -8
Tammy Barickman, 316 Vernedale Drive, Mount Vernon, Ohio,- 43050-4755 - (740) 397-5958 Recommended by Michelle Rice I have recommended Ms. Barrickman because unlike other local vets, she takes summer training courses in small animals. She knows what she is doing, and does it at a lower price. From www.gerbils.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/gerbils/vets.htm#UK
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Post by ashleyrenee on Apr 22, 2006 14:47:43 GMT -8
I never said anybody was yelling at me i was just saying i wasnt yelling with my typing. Sorry about that. Thanks for your help sqeaksister.
Max: thanks for the advice. Would i have to change my food? I know when i changed bedding they were gone and now they are back. Strangeness.
Topaz: I just dont know if my dad will drive about an 1 or so away for my gerbil. They (my parents) can be stubborn. I know i would if i could drive. Thanks for your help too. Ill look into this and show my family maybe call the vet again.
I cleaned their cages yesterday with bleach and tested them today so far no bugs but ill continue what i was doing just to be sure.
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Post by squeaksister on Apr 22, 2006 16:58:05 GMT -8
If you read the fine print on the Ortho BugBGon its states that its for lice also and I believe a very large bottle cost me about $5. Check Home Depot or Lowes they should carry it . Ortho BugBGon www.acohardware.com/330.html Just sprinkle a little on the gerbils and rub it in . Repeat every 4 days and bleach their tank , lid and accessories every week.
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Post by topaz on Apr 23, 2006 0:13:38 GMT -8
just wanted to add, if you use bleach, you really must rinse it again and again, maybe let it air afterwards for an hour or two.
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Post by ashleyrenee on Apr 23, 2006 16:43:26 GMT -8
dont worry topaz i did rinse it well. I have learned well enough with bleach fish tank acessories, and i did let the tanks air dry.
Squeaksister. Ill try to find that thanks alot
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