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Post by queenofthenile on Apr 24, 2004 16:30:52 GMT -8
My two females that I introduced in January got in a bad fight. I noticed the past few days that one had been squeeking a bit more than usual. I did not realize that it would turn into this. They were rolled up in a ball and I tried to seperate them - bad idea - I am now nursing a large bite on one of my fingers. Asha had a bite on the chin and one farther down on her shoulder. Astra has more bites, chin, several on the shoulder and one on her genital region. I have them seperated right now, but split in a 30 gallon tank. Should I put them in seperate cages right now? They seem to be fine, but I do not want to cause them more stress (also I do not have another tank to put them in).
Is there anything I should do for the wounds? Above all I do not want to cause them more stress than they have already gone through. Why are all my gerbils declanning? This is starting to get a bit crazy!
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Post by Ritzie/Admin on Apr 26, 2004 4:51:13 GMT -8
I know the problem Leah, I have now two males who started to fight also! The first time they started was about 6 months ago, and now again! I think it is good to have them in a splitcage when they seem to be fine. This way they can alrealy see and smell each other, during healing. And after healing you might try the split cage method, however is possible that they will start fighting again, as you can see with my two males, but most of the times it should go all well! You don't have to do anything for their wounds if it is not too severe and keeps bleeding. But as I'm reading your post it seems to be that the bite wound are not that bad! Wound of Mongolian gerbils will heal usually very good and quick! Some desinfection ,ect of the wound is not advisable, because they will lick it from the wound anyway! But keep an eye on their wounds. When it will get inflammated, infected, or when an abcess will develop you should see a vet, but luckely this is mostly not needed! I think they will be fine! And about you finger......it was indeed a bad idea ;D, however sometimes you don't have a choise, because these fight can be lethal for gerbils! Your first reaction (and probably good for the gerbils) will be intervene!!!! And than you won't start to search for gloves or other things that you can use! I have also had some wound in my hand due to biting gerbils (or even other animals). And why they are all declanning?  I really won't know. It can be caused by a change in dominance (getting old and weak, or ill), or just a fight about something (food, toy, etc). A changed smell of the gerbils (cleaning, parfums, etc.), new gerbils in the neighbourhood (especially from the other gender), and their are probably many more reasons. It is very difficult to tell why they start to fight! It would be great it they could talk, but they don't! ;D |
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Post by brittanie on Apr 28, 2004 19:51:55 GMT -8
Just to add on to her question, my 2 females are sisters, and they "wrestle" or atleast thats what I think it is. Could they actually be fighting. Cause Abby will sometimes cry when this is happening, but it seems like they could be just rough housing... are they actually fighting or is screaming normal? cause abby's been not acting right lately so maybe tessa did something to her?  |
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Post by Ritzie/Admin on Apr 29, 2004 15:32:15 GMT -8
It is normal for gerbils to wrestle!  Sometimes they will make sounds while doing it. Are the sisters of the same age or is one older and bigger? It might be that Tessa is maybe a bit to rough, or that Abby don't want to play at that moment, but I think you won't have to worrie. You need only to be worried when blood or a ball fight will be involved! |
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Post by brittanie on Apr 29, 2004 17:56:41 GMT -8
actually they are of the same age, its just that since abby's been a bit ill lately I think tessa's been a bit too rough with her or abby's not in the mood. They sleep together though and love each other so I'm hoping that it is just wrestling  |
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Sometimes they will make sounds while doing it. Are the sisters of the same age or is one older and bigger? It might be that Tessa is maybe a bit to rough, or that Abby don't want to play at that moment, but I think you won't have to worrie.