Linking Lone Gerbils To Tumors

[mygerbilprince]

Are lone gerbils more prone to tumors (specifically of the scent glands) than gerbils that are paired?

I know this may seem a little out there, but I think we could find an answer to this question with the poll attached above. I think if enough people fill it out we could prove something. Whatever way it goes, we will end up with some interesting results. 

I came up with this theory when I discovered a scent gland tumor on my gerbil with a recently deceased partner. I've only had two gerbils with scent gland tumors (in total I've owned 4), the one mentioned and my gerbil who was alone when we bought him. 

My theory is that stressed gerbils (ones lacking a companion) are more likely to form SGTs. It could be something to do with the stress and lack of socialization. (no matter how hard we try, nothing can ever really help a lonely lone gerbil more than another gerbil. humans simply aren't an equal substitute.)

Please try to remember all of your gerbils with SGTs and if you have had many gerbils, fill out your most recent. Note this poll applies to male and female gerbils. 
Sorry if you have had multiple that apply to one response, please just click it once (that's all it lets you do!) Feel free to leave the number of gerbils you've had in that category in a reply to this thread. Thanks so much!

 

[Markpd]

Afraid I don't have any useful data for you (see my sig for all the gerbils I've had/have. e.g I don't recall what Blacky died from).

From what I've read, SGTs are fairly common, including with paired up gerbils I believe. Still, it'll be interesting to see what poll results you get.

[mygerbilprince]

I've heard the same, but we'll see! It is a shame how common SGTs are, I wish I could make like a pop up vet business for people who can't find an exotic vet to remove a tumor or for people who can't afford it. Hopefully there will be an easier cure someday.

[betty]

Just of the top of my head - virtually all my SGT gerbils were in pairs.

I have had an older single get one, but don't often have older singles as I always have someone else to pair them up to - however the last older single I wasn't able to do that. Perhaps this is what could skew your results - as I am sure most pet/single homes don't pair up all their singles - especially singles from declanned trios or pairs - as they think they are too grumpy for a friend. And yet these gerbils were most likely the more dominant ones and so used their gland more often and reacted more to stress (as this is what dominant ones are programmed to do).

Still interesting to see the results - I love results from what is actually happening rather than wha'ts been talked about in the past.

[LilyandDaisy]

I had a gerbil who was alone from, maybe a year old? He developed a wart-like growth on his scent gland but it never grew or caused him problems and he lived to around 4.5

[Thea]

I've had two gerbils with SGTs - one in a pair and one in a trio. Both were the first to die out of their pair/trio, but only had their tumours within a clan. My lone gerbil (after her sister died) had no tumours.