Welcome to the list!
The licking behavior and swelling is definitely an indication of a problem-
something is irritating the area. What kind of bedding are they on? If the
breeder can't give you an indication of what the problem is and how to
handle it, it is important to find an exotic animal vet in your area- for
the gerbils and the other animals as well, should the need arise.
The topic of shipping gerbils has been hotly debated here in the past-
breeders ship through the US Postal Service and this IS illegal. The USPS
is not equipped to ship warm blooded animals and to give the package the
special handling it needs (i.e., not tossing the box, careful attention to
temperature). For every story of a gerbil who arrived safely, there is a
story of one who died during the trip. For legal reasons and fairness to
the animal, I would not advise this method of transporting the animals.
Jill
----------
> From: Espiritus <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Subject: New member
> Date: Sunday, April 15, 2001 9:26 AM
>
> Hi! I am new to gerbils, although my son and daughter
> have had Degus and guinea pigs for awhile breeding
> them for 4-H project money. We are fascinated by the
> color range of the gerbils and have sat for hours
> figuring out possible combinations.
>
> I have several questions. First, I have a young
> (5-week old) gerbil that is very small although its
> breeder assures me that it will grow (I have no reason
> to doubt her), that MAY be a female according to the
> breeder, but I believe it to be a male. Friday it
> started licking itself and it is now bald and very
> swollen around its genital area. Any ideas? I separatd
> it from its mother when I noticed this behavior and
> the results.
>
> Second, I have heard that people ship gerbils and am
> wondering how they do it. I want to acquire several of
> the rarer colors (Bermese, Apricot, Silver/blue fox,
> DEH's) and would appreciate anyone who has these to
> contact me at [EMAIL PROTECTED] (the
> underscore is very important in the address). I am in
> Kentucky. I do not mind driving a reasonable distance,
> but would rather just ship.
>
> Third, does anyone know the history of how the gerbils
> became "colored"? I remember them as a child being the
> agouti only, like the degus of today. I am curious
> about when, where and how the "sports" occured.
>
> Finally, how does one get them registered and where in
> the world are these shows that I hear about? We show
> horses and dogs. . . may as well show gerbils!
>
> Thanks for any and all responses.
>
> Namaste.
>
> Cynthia, Chelsea and Hunter
>
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