Well this happened a couple of months ago and the gerbils that i have
now, two of which are hopefully pregnant are the strongest and
healthiest ones I have ever had. I know that this is not a normal
parasite, more people would have seen it. But I am serious about the 24
hour thing. They started off small when they hatch and in a couple of
seconds were the "normal" size. I know about them all going to the
head. Some of them did, but I killed them. The main spots that they
were were under the forearms and backlegs.I don't know what it was, but
I do advise that all gerbil owners keep an eye out and take immediate
action. Bathe your gerbils and scrub the cage. This coupld be
something new that is spreading around to our gerbils, or it is in the
bedding.
Janet Morrow wrote:
>
> Lillian,
>
> Although it is possible that an animal would have enough parasites to cause
> sever anemia in an animal it does not happen over night.
>
> They would have had to be there for sometime. Have you ever given a stray
> cat or dog a flea bath? If you start with the body it can have horrifying
> results. All of the fleas from all over the body will rush to the head and
> face. It does look like they are multiplying rapidly, although they are
> simply gather to safe, non treated, territory.
>
> It might be that as you washed the gerbil that "little red devils" headed
> for higher ground. If the majority had been hidden under the fur, it may
> have looked like the were multiplying as they came to the top.
>
> I think that it is quite impossible that they were hatching by the hundreds.
> It is unlikely that the gerbils had been infested for only 24 hours.
>
> I would get a small baby food jar or medicine bottle and get a specimen of
> the parasite. Then you should be able to have a vet tell you what they are,
> and how to properly treat your gerbils.
>
> Please be sure that you carefully treat all of your gerbils before selling
> or shipping any.
>
> I cannot emphasize the importance of garunteeing that your gerbils are
> healthy, before sending them to a new home.
>
> Good luck to both of you, as you attempt to identify and irradicat these
> parasites from your gerbils.
>
> Janet
