>
> Subject: Gerbil Fur Condition
> Date: Sat, 29 Jan 2000 11:15:33 -0000
> From: David Hinsley <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>
> Hi Everyone,
>
> Gerbil fur condition is a strong indicator about the health of Gerbils. My
> wife Lizzy was saying this week that one of our Gerbils that needed
> treatment seemed to lose the natural sheen on his coat prior to the problem
> becoming noticeable. Wondered what others on the list feel about this and
> whether they have noticed similarly.
>
> All the very best,
>
> David Hinsley,
> www.gerbils.org
>
I have noticed this as well. Anytime I have a pup with a
respiratory infection, the fur is more dry and "fluffy". I
think also it can have to do with stress. I have a female
gerbil who is ill and I suspect it may at least have been
partially caused by stress. Her cagemate started harassing
her VERY badly. If she had stood up for herself it would
have deteriorated into very bad fighting and injuries. As
it was she was very submissive but still her cagemate
constantly bullied her around. Her fur has become
dry-looking and lost its shine. Her poor nose is raw from
constantly wiping it with her paws, and I think I heard a
sneeze or two from her. I'm not sure though whether the
stress from her mean cagemate caused the illness or if the
illness caused her cagemate to turn on her (unusual in my
experience). At any rate I've given the poor dear her own
tank, with lots of toilet tissue. I've ordered some
Carefresh in case this is allergy-related, and I have
antibiotics in her water in case of respiratory infection.
She has perked up some, I strongly suspect removing her from
her cagemate will by itself help her a lot. I guess this is
an example of how a good gerbil pairing can suddenly go
bad.
--
Tana and The Little Rascals
http://thesanctuary.tripod.com
http://gerbils.freehosting.net
http://www.geocities.com/tinypaws68/
