It is highly unlikely that blood sucking invertebrates would kill a
mammal. The amount of blood they would need to suck would be simply too
much.
It is much more likely that the gerbils were infested for some time but
had been successfully grooming them out of their coat. On becoming ill,
they ceased grooming so much so the parasites accumulated so much you
became aware of them.
--------------------------
Just a note from a lurker who reads by the archive ...
I've heard of at least one case where a breeder who had mites had SEVERAL
animals die. In fact, partially because of that, she quit breeding. I've
heard another person state (several months ago) that also these mites can
kill.
I personally had a mite infestation about a year ago. I didn't lose any of
my gerbils, but it was an experience I don't want to repeat. A couple of
sprays, of everything, a week apart, did the trick.
So ... if you see any, treat promptly ... EVERYTHING as has been suggested.
Emily
--
E & K's Critters
Kelly, American Eskimo Dog
3 gerbils and 13 mice + the baby mice
http://www.gurlpages.com/other/emandkel/index.html
