suegreen <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote
>
>They can recover BUT will always remain carriers. If they are stressed they
>may develop symptoms. If there is an outbreak of Tyzzer's in a commercial
>rodentry, then all the stock will be killed and the premises totally
>disinfected before restocking. Obviously you would not want to kill your
>pets, but it is usually best to wait until all the remaining animals die
>before introducing new stock. Also you should not breed from gerbils that
>have been affected.
>
>Sue
What Sue says is generally true.
Gerbils can be treated with antibiotics for Tyzzer's for weeks and
whilst most gerbils will end up completely clear, some animals will
remain carriers without showing symptoms.
For this reason commercial breeders and scientific colonies will be
eliminated if Tyzzer's breaks out. Even if treated, some animals may
remain carriers and re-infect other gerbils in the future.
For this reason, Sue's advice to keep gerbils that have been exposed in
what amounts to quarantine until they die, is wise.
The same is true of gerbils exposed to Salmonella, E. coli or Listeria.
--
Julian
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
National Gerbil Society
http://www.gerbils.co.uk/
