Burying gerbils after they have died

[LilyandDaisy]

Firstly, sorry for the slightly morbid topic.

Recently I read that it's not recommended to bury pets that have been euthanised because residual drugs in their body may affect wildlife, other pets or the local ecosystem. Presumably this might also apply if they had been given any drugs in the days before their death. I read about a case where a terrier dug up and ate a pet mouse which had been euthanised, and subsequently ended up in a coma in intensive care for a week. I was surprised that the quantity of drugs given to a mouse could have such an effect on a dog. The cow anecdote on the same website makes more sense as a cow must need some very strong drugs.

Personally, I have always buried my small animals in the garden regardless of the cause of death, including several who were put to sleep, as it never occurred to me that it might be a problem. When you have a pet put to sleep they give the option of cremation or taking the body home (where most people will opt for burial) and I've never been told that burial was a bad idea. Next time I have a pet put to sleep - hopefully not for a long while yet - I will ask the vet about it, but I was wondering what others here do? Should we be thinking twice before burying a gerbil that has been euthanised?

[catnut]

my vet has never said I could bury a pet that has been put to sleep, of course i've never asked as i didn't know it would be allowed and I really didn't want to see my pet like that and carry him/her home, I was already very emotional at this time. I've never heard about this and sad that dog ended up ill due to finding a mouse. I only bury a pet that has died at home, in a planter buried with dirt and usually keep them in my garage as i didn't want to leave them outside. When put to sleep, they are cremated.

[icecontroller2529]

Interesting thought. Too bad what happened to that terrier. 

Personally, I would always choose the option of burying my pets in the garden (not cremated). That is actually the only reason I wanted a house with a garden when we were moving. Didn't get that garden, unfortunately. Anyway, I would bury my pets if I could, and if there was a risk for other animals digging up the gerbil then I would consider a little fence around the grave or some stone tile on top for the first time. 

[Markpd]

Yea I would usually choose burial too, and use large stones or small rocks to stop other animals digging them up.

But the point about drugs leeching into the environment isn't something I'd considered. LilyandDaisy Have you got any studies to hand about that?

[LilyandDaisy]

I don't have any studies, only articles similar to the one linked and included anecdotes, but I'll have a look.

We have problems with foxes digging in the garden so recently we created a burial area with plastic mesh over the soil, a big paving slab and a potted plant of top of that. I think that should prevent any digging so I would probably still bury a euthanised pet there.

[tanzanyte]

I'd read the same thing as LilyandDaisy, but can't remember where. It was a while ago now that it cropped up, although the vets haven't ever told me not to. They've asked if I want to take them home.
When you consider the amount of drugs people have, and burials still go on, I really can't believe that the amount of meds in a rodent would have much of an effect. It does seem weird that a terrier was affected so badly. It could be a reaction to the drugs and the fact that he'd dug up and eaten a decomposing rodent?

We buried our gerbils in a little slot together wooden box. I dug a very deep hole as I was worried about the foxes digging them up (most people really don't dig down deep enough). We have a little Japanese spirit house on top to look after them, but originally I did put a decorative slab down until I was satisfied enough time had past and the foxes weren't going to try anything.
I'm not sure if there is anyone that chooses cremation but I know my stepdaughter has done repeatedly for her rats and her vets charge £175, which in my eyes is insane. It doesn't matter that you get a little wooden box to keep them in. I know they take them somewhere else direct now to keep costs down. Not sure if costs are different depending on where you are.
At the end of the day it feels a bit like swings and roundabouts as we know cremation isn't great for the environment either.

[betty]

I can certainly ask at work tommorow about this and report back too. I have always buried mine at home - regardless of cause of death - with a giant stone or piles of stones on top. I have thankfully never seen evidence of them dug up by anything either so phew.

I would still consider the effects on the clean up crew - as often invertebrates are either really sensitive or really hardy (think tardigrade!).

Very interesting topic if not only realted to gerbil deaths. I am sure humans and other smaller pets including cats and dogs are at risk of being dug up and eaten in some places. I know the cows/vultures story is well known.