In message <000a01c1cde9$7a8b2d20$4bbe21d0@oemcomputer>, Susan Batey <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes >NatureJulian, > I posted this message to the gerbil listserv --TonyP thought you might be >able help me and gave me your address. Hope this was okay. I really need >some advice. Here's my original message as posted to the listserv: >Help! I just joined this list today because I have a unique gerbil question >and need an immediate answer. I acquired four black gerbils when I quit >teaching Pre-K. Two were ultimately killed presumeably by the other two. We >now have 2 female gerbils who have lived with each other exclusively for >over a year and a half. About 4 weeks ago, one of the gerbils escaped and >was missing for over 2 weeks. One of the cats ran into the house unnoticed >until she pounced into a pile of clutter under the chair--you guessed >it--she came out with friend gerbil in her mouth, dropping her several times >until said gerbil escaped again and hid in an overturned bucket. I threw >out the cat and grabbed the gerbil--suffering a severe bite to the hand. I >then reunited the two girl gerbils and that was that. Until..... the >once-escaped gerbil started looking like Jabba the Hut--this gerbil has >gained a lot of weight since her return two weeks ago. Anyone have any idea >what I could be dealing with? Do gerbils ever crossbreed with other rodents? >My husband is concerned the gerbil may have internal injuries from the cat >but that was 2 weeks ago... Please answer ASAP. > >
Internal injuries from the cat area real possibility. Cat bites often leave invisible puncture wounds that can get infected. Your gerbil could easily have a large abscess building up. Another possibility is that she has an ovarian cyst. A coincidence, but very common in female gerbils of that age. These cysts are usually harmless. I would see a vet in case there is an abscess. As for breeding with another species, this is not likely. Whilst some species of gerbil can hybridise it is unlikely that any non-gerbil species could produce viable young. The only other possibilities are a small community of escaped gerbils in your area, or that you have a male and female. Being absent for a few days could prompt breeding where it has not taken place before. The differences between male and female of breeding age are pretty obvious though. -- Julian [EMAIL PROTECTED] National Gerbil Society http://www.gerbils.co.uk/
