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Post by ruf on Feb 10, 2005 19:00:17 GMT -8
my gerbil just got use to my hand I put him back in my cage and then i think she had a seizure and forgot everything that happend and know I have to train her all over again
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Post by Ritzie/Admin on Feb 11, 2005 3:58:20 GMT -8
You mean like this? Sadly enough this relatively common in gerbils! Due to their history in laboratories, where they were used (and still are) for research to the nervous system. Stress can trigger that! When they get used to he handling, etc. so get tame, this will result in less of these fits or will even stop completely! It is more common in pups / young gerbils, maybe because most adults are more used to their owner (more "tame"). From my website:Symptoms: The gerbil lays flat and starts to twitch, the ears go back and the gerbil may drool at the mouth. Within a few minutes the gerbil will compose itself and go about its business. A picture of a gerbil with fits can be seen at the Dutch version of this page or the Ailments page of the National Gerbil Society website. Causes: Some breeding-lines are prone to epilepsy. That's why Mongolian gerbils are much used for scientific neurological research. Also they get fits due to stress from fights, handling, etc. A shortage of magnesium seems to play also a role. Treatment: You can't treat it. If this should happen replace the gerbil back in its cage immediately and remove the cage to quiet area. The only thing you can do is to let it go to itself again. Within a few minutes the gerbil will compose itself and go about its business. Don't breed with gerbils that are prone to epilepsy, as it can be passed down from generation to generation. Prevention: Purchase tame gerbils or make them tame. Give your gerbils food that is rich in minerals (especially magnesium is important). The furnishing of their cage needs to be varied. Besides all this you need to prevent stress.
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Post by doomgerbiluk on Feb 11, 2005 4:32:24 GMT -8
yes I've only seen it once (one incident ) so far there has been soem debate on GSUK about their cause and why soem gerbils are predisposed to seizures but in reality no one knows for sure the one thing that is agreed on is NOT breeding from gerbils who'vehahd seizures. Like many traits (bad temper, tendency to respiratory illness) it is hoped the propensity to fitting can be bred out of the pet gerbil by careful selection of breeding pairs.
Temperament and colour relationships do have some scientific basis, especially that pieds are more laid back. You'd have to check out the posts and links in the GSUK forum for more info though..
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Post by Ritzie/Admin on Feb 11, 2005 14:03:28 GMT -8
I've had four of them!
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Post by Ritzie/Admin on Feb 11, 2005 14:13:10 GMT -8
Found the post on relation of temperament and colour. It was on blue degus, but think count for gerbils too.
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Post by Ritzie/Admin on Feb 11, 2005 14:30:06 GMT -8
Personally I can not say that I notice any difference in the colours I've had: golden agouti, black, DEH, nutmeg.
The four of me that had seizures were golden agouti and DEH. And I had a very hyperactive black female.
But the comments of Eddie sound logical. Only never knew that parts of brains contained pigments!
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Post by doomgerbiluk on Feb 11, 2005 17:45:45 GMT -8
yes there are other posts and such l;ike on the subject and it is certainly fascinating glad you found it of interest Peter Many of us post on all three forums, GSUK, FFG and here, it is great to get the different slants the forums provide
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Post by Ritzie/Admin on Feb 12, 2005 9:31:53 GMT -8
I would like to be on more forums more often! Only at this moment not much time!
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Post by lizzy on Feb 15, 2005 13:28:50 GMT -8
I own two gerbils that have had seizures (minor) before. Pied dark eyed honey (Summer) and grey agouti (Karly).
Its most common to happen when the gerbils are very young, as in 5-8 weeks. She won't forget anything, but when gerbils haven't been handled much and then overhandled, yes this can obviously cause stress which leads to fits.
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Post by Ed on Feb 17, 2005 0:54:00 GMT -8
Hi, Not had time to visit since your E.coli debate! I've been so busy. Yes Peter not only are there pigment cells to be found in the CNS and certain brain regions that are linked to mood and stress, but they are also found in the gut , eye and inner ear. Having a mutation that delays the transport and migration of pigment such as the piebald gene does, will often have a relationship between white markings and health problems/oddities such as odd eyes, blue eyes,deafness and megacolon. Saying that, the above post you are referring to is about certain genes that can affect temperament, and is ongoing gerbilsuk.proboards15.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=otherspecies&thread=1106934212&start=0The posts that Doom are referring to, and that you are looking for on the seizures debate are quite good reads, and contain a lot of scientific info/ papers on the subject, if your interested, gerbilsuk.proboards15.com/index.cgi?board=genetics&action=display&thread=1102771873and, gerbilsuk.proboards15.com/index.cgi?board=genetics&action=display&thread=1102688763Hope you find them interesting, Eddie
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Post by doomgerbiluk on Feb 17, 2005 2:50:13 GMT -8
hey thanks ed I was too lazy too search for them
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