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Post by Markpd on Oct 7, 2020 10:21:09 GMT -8
Yea incase he's allergic to Aspen I would try Hemp by itself, if that doesn't work it would seem to be an external cause.
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Sneezing
Oct 7, 2020 11:07:49 GMT -8
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Post by marls on Oct 7, 2020 11:07:49 GMT -8
Iโll give it a go definitely. Thank you! ๐๐
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Post by beachbumgerbils on Oct 7, 2020 12:54:58 GMT -8
It won't be fabulously fun for them, but one way to rule out sensitivity to the bedding would be to keep them on just newspaper for a few days and see if the sneezing resolves. I certainly wouldn't do it long term, but if he sneezes while just on newspaper, probably not allergies to the bedding. I would definitely finish the medication before trying that. If he stops sneezing, you want to know what it was that helped.
Other things to make sure aren't involved: frequent candle burning, scent diffusers including essential oils, cage too close to a fan or window...
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Post by Markpd on Oct 7, 2020 22:22:09 GMT -8
I didn't think it was a good idea to use newspaper as the print in it is poisonous (when they chew it) I believe? Kitchen roll would be better.
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Sneezing
Oct 8, 2020 6:36:24 GMT -8
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Post by beachbumgerbils on Oct 8, 2020 6:36:24 GMT -8
In theory, modern newspaper ink should not be toxic. They are no longer allowed to use some of the toxic metals used in times past and it is supposed to be vegetable based. But I suppose there is a small risk of someone not following the rules.
Paper towels or toilet paper or white printer paper would be fine. The idea is to give them something that hasn't been processed and shouldn't have any fine particulars to irritate the respiratory tract. And I certainly wouldn't do it more than a few days, but it would be a bit of a test to see if substrate is the issue.
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Post by Markpd on Oct 8, 2020 9:52:55 GMT -8
Ah ok I didn't know that, I wouldn't have thought any papers would break those rules then.
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Sneezing
Oct 8, 2020 14:38:24 GMT -8
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Post by marls on Oct 8, 2020 14:38:24 GMT -8
Thanks so much for the suggestions. Really helpful! ๐๐
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Sneezing
Oct 25, 2020 14:39:33 GMT -8
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Post by marls on Oct 25, 2020 14:39:33 GMT -8
Mystery solved! So, after finishing antibiotics and changing the bedding again to hemp and then to pillow wad with nothing having any real effect and little man still sneezing, we figured it out.... sand bath. I use chinchilla sand, not dust, but it seems that is the culprit!
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Post by betty on Oct 25, 2020 15:04:13 GMT -8
Really - changing the sand bath substrate from sand to dust stopped the sneezing?
And yes, vets often recommend newspaper for a 'clean' substrate for receovering animals and resucue sactuaries use it all the time these days. It soils faster than other substrates, but can be used. The ink might still come off if really wet - but it should be safe.
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Post by marls on Oct 25, 2020 15:49:00 GMT -8
No, I didnโt switch from sand to dust, I just removed the sand bath and he is much improved so it seems that the sand bath is the culprit. I had been speaking to the vet when the antibiotics werenโt working and we talked through my whole tank set up and when I mentioned the sand bath, the vet said to try and see if removing it helps and sure enough it seems to. He said that normally chinchilla sand is just fine but in this case, Ramone may have a sensitivity to it. He suggested waiting a few weeks and then reintroducing it and if the sneezing returns then we know for sure. ๐
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Sneezing
Oct 25, 2020 16:05:51 GMT -8
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Post by yeti218 on Oct 25, 2020 16:05:51 GMT -8
Thats interesting, im glad hes doing well.
Let us know in a few weeks if the sneezing comes back when you reintroduce it.
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Sneezing
Oct 25, 2020 17:19:18 GMT -8
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Post by beachbumgerbils on Oct 25, 2020 17:19:18 GMT -8
That actually makes a lot of sense. Even though most gerbils do fine with it, it is pretty fine particulates. I can see where a gerbil with essentially the equivalent of asthma wouldn't be able to tolerate that...glad you figured it out!
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Post by Markpd on Oct 29, 2020 12:29:13 GMT -8
And it would be interesting to see if another brand/type of sand works out ok for him. Thanks for the update anyway .
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