----- Original Message -----
From: "Beki Jones" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Thursday, February 01, 2001 4:21 AM
Subject: FIGHTING GERBILS - PLEASE HELP
> I really need some help and advice please. My husband got up this morning
> around 5.00am to a lot of activity in the gerbils acquarium. He thought
> they were just playing but as the activity went on and on he went to
> investigate to find there was blood all over the bedding. Milly, the
alpha
> gerbil,was attacking Mandy and she has a nasty gash on her back leg. He
> separated Milly and put her in one of those critter tanks to break up the
> fight. He has taken her to work with him, so that Mandy can calm down and
> have the day to rest. I couldn't get a good look at Mandy's wound, she
had
> gone underground and I didn't want to upset her more by digging her out.
My condolences. I've had this happen so I know how you feel.
>
> Why would this happen? I have had them since July and had no problems.
They
> have plenty of toys and cardboard and hiding places. I introduced new toys
> about two weeks ago, but nothing new recently. No new foods introduced
> recently that they might fight over. They have done the usual pushing and
> shoving in the past, but always make up within a couple of minutes so I
just
> don't understand.
Probably whichever one was subordinate decided she wanted to be dominant,
and the dominant one wasn't willing to trade. It does happen sometimes.
>
> What do I do now? Do I put them back together this evening and see what
> happens? Is this going to happen again now she has drawn blood once? I
> have some tea tree oil anticeptic cream for rodents which I could try to
put
> on Mandy's wound if its not too bad but will this make her smell wrong to
> Milly and make her attack again? I am really worried about leaving them
> apart, but I am more worried about leaving them together as I have to
leave
> them all day while I'm at work and won't be there to jump in and seperate
if
> it happens again during the day.
Don't put them back together, whatever you do. It's highly unlikely they
will accept each other now, and simply isn't worth the risk. As far as the
wound goes, I'd just keep a close eye on it. If it looks like it's getting
infected you'll want to take some action, perhaps see a vet. Otherwise it
should heal on its own.
>
> I would really appreciate some advice. I get this list in digest form so
> apologies if you respond and there is a delayed reaction, but I need to
know
> what to do when I get home this evening. Milly looked so upset being by
> herself in the critter tank. She was all fluffed up and curled in a ball.
> I would hate to have to keep them seperated. Until now they have been
> totally devoted to each other.
I know what you mean, but you'd be risking both their lives by putting them
back together. I'd just get a separate setup for Milly, and make sure they
both have plenty of toys and lots of attention. Watch them both closely.
If one or both seems unhappy alone you'll have to see about getting new
companions. Try a breeder - if a new companion isn't accepted, they'll be
more likely to let you swap her for another.
>
> (My husband has just called to say that Milly won't open her one eye. It
> sounds like she must have taken a swipe back. How serious is this? Does
> this mean its a vet job?)
>
Eye problems definitely require a vet.
> Beki
> [EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
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