more deaths

[Hev]

I lost my 2 female gerbils yesterday.  It was horrible, the first Momma I found dead and half eaten in her cage, her mate had to be pulled off her as he was munching though her, why do they do this?  My 2nd Momma I found dead at the end of the day, well she actually died in my hand, I'm so upset.  I am thinking that it is dehydration, what causes it?  I have put fresh water in their cages every day, change their litter regularly and feed them fruit and veg as well as normal gerbil food. If anyone can help me find out what cuases dehydration I would be very grateful. On a lighter note - being left with 2 cages - one with the male in and the other with a 8 week baby and 3 week baby, I thought the best thing to do would be to introudce them, we did it with a great amount of trepidation and hurrah they all took to each other <great sigh of relief>. I'm almost too scared now though to have them together as I know more babies will result and to go thru this again is so heart wrenching. I know it wasn't respitory disease as they are over this and have finished the antibiotics.  Both gerbils were extremely cold and thin when they died despite being dripper fed with pedailyte. Thanks again ~Heather