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Post by Thelodar on Aug 6, 2020 12:42:57 GMT -8
I've had my gerbils in a split for two weeks (tomorrow). The two pups that I was given to split with my female have developed red noses. I was trying to wait it out until the split was finished, but one of them has gotten quite severe and I'm not comfortable keeping her on the current bedding. I've ordered eco-bedding to use instead of the aspen/clean and cozy mix they're on now, it arrives tomorrow. I'm wondering what I should expect in terms of the split progress once I change the bedding. Will it be like I've started over?
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Post by betty on Aug 7, 2020 5:02:01 GMT -8
Ideally, yes, it would be like a start over if you cleaned out more than half the old bedding - as you will lose all the scent - however it will be faster to build back up in a way as they have already been chatting over the fence. They aren't total strangers even if their scents are all new.
Also if the bedding is causing an allergy that looks uncomfortable, then the character of that gerbil could be compromised anyway during the split (imagine having to move in with a new flatmate while you have massive hayfever going on).
Unless you think you can have a successful intro today or first thing tomorrow, I would do the reset anyway, because you aren't really going to be able to change out all the bedding for a few days afterwards either?
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Post by Thelodar on Aug 7, 2020 10:05:35 GMT -8
I agree, I need to change the bedding now regardless, her nose is quite bad and waiting would not be in her best interest. I have concerns about prolonging the split because the pups are getting old, but I don't have much choice.
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Post by betty on Aug 8, 2020 0:39:51 GMT -8
It is a difficult one - but health comes first.
Yes, it would be easier for the split with a young pup of course - but females can split together just as happily - it just sometimes takes a bit longer than the guys.
Lets hope the bedding clears her nose up and you are soon good to go again.
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Post by Thelodar on Aug 8, 2020 4:10:45 GMT -8
My concern is that it's a pair of pups I'm pairing with my adult female. So it may end up failing entirely if the pups are too old. But we'll see.
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Post by Markpd on Aug 8, 2020 4:35:41 GMT -8
How old are they?
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Post by Thelodar on Aug 8, 2020 5:20:20 GMT -8
They were 8 weeks when I started the split and are 10 weeks now. I haven't found an answer on if the 5-8 week age recommendation for this sort of split applies to the start of the split or if they still need to be this young at the end of the split.
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Post by betty on Aug 8, 2020 14:20:36 GMT -8
Ah yes, sorry with a trio it is time dependent of course. Hmm.
Well, I would suggest then that if you have any positive signs in the next few days - to just go for it. Have a carrier ready to one side and a pot or tub in your hand (to put over the older gerbil if in doubt at any point).
I would set them up for success by making sure you do a good solid three switches the day before - then the following day: swapping over first thing in the morning, then after an hour swap them again, then within the next half hour, take out the divide (carrier and pot to hand) and let the intro begin. This way - they are totally on their toes and have had a good opportunity to mix scents. They will also be quite tired and insecure - perfect for lessening the effects of conflict in the intro and increasing their chances of wanting to just make a new bed and going to sleep (together hopefully).
Have some treats stashed within reach and a made up dust bath and good size clump of hay, straw or pre-shredded kitchen roll to act as distractions for the introduction.
And we will all cross our fingers!!!
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Post by Markpd on Aug 9, 2020 2:45:38 GMT -8
A pot of tub?
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Post by betty on Aug 9, 2020 3:10:50 GMT -8
or.
I've changed it.
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Post by Markpd on Aug 9, 2020 3:19:09 GMT -8
Ah I see, I get it now .
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Post by Thelodar on Aug 29, 2020 14:36:11 GMT -8
I wanted to update on this intro. I chose not to introduce them while they still had angry noses. I did switch bedding and the noses continued to worsen. So they went to the vet about a week and half ago and have been on antibiotic ointment since. Their noses have cleared up nicely. They are still in the split. I did a very, very brief intro last Friday, just to see where we were (I was leaving for a week long vacation the next day and if it was a disaster of an intro I was going to give up and put them in separate tanks and leave them home w/ the pet sitter. If it went okay I was going to bring them on vacay to maintain the split). My adult, Piper, was lovely and sweet, the "pups" weren't awesome, kind of confrontational, especially the dominant one of the pair (Felicity). No fighting, but it was tense at times. They came on vacation lol.
Now that they are all healed up and we're back home I'm planning on trying the intro tomorrow as I have the day off. The "pups" are old and Felicity is very much a dominant gerbil. They both go into heat, Felicity occasionally scent marks. So I know it's a bit of a long shot. But they are just so nice through the bars of the split, and they have been in the split for so long, maybe they're familiar enough for the age to not be a deal breaker. Piper has always been the submissive gerbil, even with the male when I bred her. So she might be okay letting Felicity be in charge. But I'm being realistic and am prepared to throw in the towel. I'm just going to be bummed if it doesn't work. After Scotty and Liam failed I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed. If this one fails I'll have five tanks of gerbils (in my bedroom) and will still want to find a friend for Scotty and one for Piper. They're young and Piper's really friendly and has been easy to split the two times I've done it with her previously. I just wish the breeder hadn't talked me into taking a pair of pups, I'd have no worries about a single. He said if it doesn't work he will take them back, but I really, really like these gerbils. I've bonded with them better than Scotty who was born here! So I'd like to keep them.
Anyway, wish us luck!
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Post by betty on Aug 30, 2020 6:13:56 GMT -8
Crikey - what a hotch potch.
Good luck!
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Post by Markpd on Aug 30, 2020 6:44:17 GMT -8
Yikes! Good luck!
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Post by Thelodar on Aug 31, 2020 13:07:18 GMT -8
Not gonna happen. Boooooooooo. Wasn't a blood bath or anything (no injuries over the course of a 4 hour intro), but several rolling on ground tussles between Piper and Felicity and eventually Piper started aggressively chasing Eliza (I actually thought those two were doing okay, they never had actual squabbles and Piper groomed her a few times, but eventually Piper changed her mind). I do wish I had more info on what is normal during an intro (some people say some scuffling is normal, others say absolutely not), but Felicity was very tense with Piper throughout.
Ah well. I'm gonna put Felicity and Eliza in a bin cage so I can put it on top of another tank (will only cover half). That should solve my space issue. Now I still need to find (SINGLE) friends for Scotty and Piper.
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