Yah, sometimes they decide to do this even though all the bases are covered
;o/
I have one right now that is just getting the fur back on her nose. Took her
a month and a half, the lil bugger!
I haven't isolated what caused her to react. The only thing I can think of
is the hay I gave them. I removed the hay and changed the bedding a few
times since she broke out. The just look sooo miserable in the middle of it
all :{{
Once she has completely healed, I'll try reintroducing the hay. If there is
no reaction, I'll then try the brand of corn cob she was first put on when I
got her. It had the little green granules in it.
Cinthia A. Dunn-Izquierdo
The Izzy Clan
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jessica Pierson" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Tuesday, June 12, 2001 8:07 PM
Subject: Re: Fw: Bloody Nose =(
> Hi,
> Thank you very much for your responce!
>
> > His nose is being irritated by something in the tank.
> >
> > 1: Are your gerbils on a paper based bedding or have paper for nesting
> > material? Toilet paper makes a very fine, irritating dust, and I'v
found
> > Carefresh to do the same. I can't use paper based bedding at all in my
> > tanks.
> >
> > 2: If they are on wood shavings what kind are they on. Pine and cedar
have
> > toxic resins that are irritating to the respiratory system. The best
bedding
> > and nesting materials are corn cob and aspen shavings.
>
> I am using, and have been using, aspen shavings. I researched before I
got my
> gerbils and discovered this to be the best choice.
>
> > 3: What do you use to clean the cage with. Cleaning solvents, dish
> > soap/bleach, can cause irritation if not rinsed THOROUGHLY with VERY
hot
> > water. It is really best to use very hot water only for cleaning their
> > homes.
>
> I cleaned their aquarium earlier today, with hot water only =/ Again, I
read
> up on the web about care, and cleaning, and found this to be the best
option.
>
> > Get some Neosporin to apply to the muzzle. A very thin coat is all you
need.
> > Don't want to block the nostrils. This will relieve some of the
irritation
> > and hopefully reduce the constant rubbing.
> >
> > The red you see is their mucus not blood. The muzzle will swell a bit
and
> > will lose it's hair. This is very temporary. As soon as you find out
what
> > the problem is and correct it, the nose will slowly become less
irritated
> > and the gerbil will begin to leave it alone. Thus giving the nose a
chance
> > to heal. This may take a week or two so don't get worried.
>
> It seems as though I'm doing evreything right! But I'll be sure to apply
> Neosporin and see if that helps. Hopefully this goes away, because I have
no
> idea what's causing it.
>
> Thanks Again,
> Jessica
>
