Just found a bloodsucking mite and exotic vet is closed

[ryarianne]

...and my husband and I get to leave our kids, including the gerbils, for the very first time ever tomorrow with their grandma, who knows nothing about gerbils and can’t safely drive kids plus gerbils to the vet.

I’m in a panic. I have frozen everything before giving it to them to prevent this, but obviously something didn’t work. I’m about to empty out whole cage and dispose of everything in it that I can, and try to bake the wood, but their wooden shelves in cage topper I can’t bake because attached to whole cage. I also don’t k ow what to do about the bedroom they get to run around in to clean it—I mean it’s a whole room!!!

And I don’t know what to do to treat them when I can’t get to a vet and can’t count on grandma to do it Monday.

The timing could t be worse. Anyone that has any advice that could help me calm down and focus on most important things to do to get the gerbils through the nine days until the Monday I’m back and can take them to vet is deeply appreciated...

[betty]

Hello - and sorry this is coming in late ryarianne...

Hope you are still there - and needing advice?


So, you have done everything right so far - this is all very unfortunate - and like you say - bad timing!


OK - so a full clean out is essential - everything. Only replace with brand new (but of course you won't have had time to treat this before going in) so if possible - stick with just one plain non-plant-based substrate that it totally sealed in the manufacturers bag and from a clean sterile-looking shop.

And, if you can't move the enclosure someplace distant for your vacation (ie a new room or another house) then you are best to clean all around the enclosure too - so include shelves above and around the enclosure and wash or temporarily remove any furnishings - mites can wander quite some way.


You can treat the animals themselves with some (small animal/guinea pig) ivermectin drops if you want - but I can't advise on the dose for you. This might be something you can call a vet/vet nurse for free of charge/advisory - and/or depending on your area and services - you can purchase this in a store. It may be that you can pay a small fee for someone like a dog groomer or pet sitter to visit your home and do the drops and check the animals for you too.