Hi Sarah -- best of luck to you. Feeding gerbil pups is a lot of work (I've
nursed some at the 3-4 week stage through weaning).
First off I'd recommend putting the father back with the pups if he had not been
removed for long (e.g., less than a few hours), he'll be important to their
survival. He will keep them warm and feeling safe, groom and socialize them. He
will recognize them after a feeding. If he seems to be chewing them, though,
then do remove him.
For a heat source, I've used a clamp lamp with a 40 watt plant grow light, and
put it in one corner of the tank so the pups could get close or far from it.
They liked it alot. Also use a thermometer (outside the tank) to make sure it is
not too hot (not more than 85 degrees).
Let us know how it goes. Donna
"(Sarah) (Churchman)" wrote:
> Hi!
> A week ago I lost 3 , five week old Gerbil pups out of a litter of 4 to what
> I think was Tyzzers disease.The symptoms were listlessness,low body
> temperature, ruffled coat, eyes closed, dihorreah and loss of weight.Two of
> them actually died in my hand and were fitting as they died.
> Stupidly I didn't take them to the vet as the Parents and the remaining pup
> were doing well.They all still are doing well.
> However yesterday an unrelated mother Gerbil who had 8 pups started showing
> the same symptoms.The pups were trying to feed bvut she didn't have the
> energy.I took the whole family to the vet (including dad) and she said that
> the Male looked fine (which he was he was still trying to mate with her) so
> she didn't think it was contagious and said it was likely to be the stress of
> having a large litter. she injected her with some warm fluid, Baytril and
> another antibiotic.She survived the night and I gave her another shot of
> Baytril by a dropper this morning.I went to work for 4 hours but when I
> returned she was dead:(
> The vet reccommended feeding the pups every hour with KMR and keeping them
> as warm as possible.So they are in a room with a fire and also have a hot
> water bottle .I have seperated them from the father as I will need to handle
> them a lot to feed them and he may not recognise their scent.Also a couple of
> the pups have had their rear legs chewed at and I am not sure whether it was
> the mother or the father.
> I am just looking for any advice really that anyone can give me to help the
> little ones through it (there are only 7 now I think one must have been eaten
> as no sign!).I am stimulating their stomachs with a cotton bud after feeding
> to make them go to the toilet but I haven't seen anything pass yet.They are
> taking to the KMR well though so at least thats something.
> Sorry it's so long and thanks for any help.
> Sarah
