>I am new to this list. I have two male gerbils approx 6 months old who I
>love dearly! Recently, my daughters and I were treated for bumps that
>looked like they might be scabies (bites from mites). I'm wondering if we
>might have contracted this, if this is what it is, from our gerbils. Have
>any of you had any experience with gerbils getting mites? Do you think
they
>can contract mites from bedding? This would be awful since it could lead
to
>a cycle of infestation with every bedding change! A vet treated the
gerbils
>prophylactically with Frontline spray treatment (fipronil). Also, how do
>you feel are Carefresh bedding? It's treated to prevent transmission of
>mites and other things.
Mites can come in in infested feed. Infested bedding. From
the petstore. If you handled another animal that has them, even
briefly...or were close to the cage for a few moments...some
could transfer and come home with you.
To check an animal, part some fur against the grain near the head
and see if anything seems to be moving in the fur.
Swaddle (loosely wrap) an animal in white unscented undyed
toilet tissue or a paper towel, leaving the head sticking out. After
about a minute of holding the animal this way, look on the white
toweling for anything looking like a pinpoint ambulatory dust speck
(grey or black) or a pinprick sized black or red moving bump.
If you find signs of it, it's a really ruthless cleaning agenda, and
a long process to get rid of them. I liken it to a no-holds-barred
guerrilla war. And if you miss ONE, you're back to where you
were in a week....
Deb
Rebel's Rodent Ranch
