----- Original Message ----- From: Mike Lynch <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Wednesday, December 05, 2001 11:17 PM Subject: scent gland tumor
Hi Mike, Scent gland tumours are one of the easiest tumours to cure as they rarely spread elsewhere. Afrer the operation your gerbil will probably have some stitches. Yes, there is a high possibility of the gerbil pulling them out, but as long as they stay in for a day or so, the wound will probably have healed enough. Do not attempt to make an Elizabethan collar as they do for dogs, cats or birds. My vet once experimented with these for gerbils but they do not have enough of a neck for them to work. There is more danger from an injury from the collar, than there is from the stitches being chewed. One other thing. Many vets will advocate separating gerbils after the operation for a few days. Don't do this. If gerbils are separated for more than 24 hours, they will often not go back together again. As one of the gerbils has had his scent gland removed, he will have lost his personal smell, making his partner even more likely to reject him after separation. If your vet will allow this, take both gerbils to the surgery and have Bilbo and Sam reunited immediately after the operation. It is very unlikely that Bilbo will chew Sam's wound. If that happens, it will be done by Sam himself. Good luck Sue > I would appreciate any advise that those who have been > through this can give me. Should he be kept on any > special bedding while he heals? They are on aspen > right now, but I wondered if plain paper might be > better during recovery. Have your gerbils chewed at > their stitches or pretty much left them alone? If > they chewed them, what did you do to discourage them? > We are planning on taking out things he might be > tempted to jump up on to minimize the stress on the > healing skin. Is there anything else we should > consider? > > Thanks for your help. > > > > ===== > Elaine Lynch > Bilbo and Sam > AGS member > We will miss you Frodo. > > __________________________________________________ > Do You Yahoo!? > Send your FREE holiday greetings online! > http://greetings.yahoo.com >
