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Starting Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 5/9/2011 1:55:58 PM
Posts: 2,
Visits: 8
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I hope someone can give me some advice....I have had my two gerbils now for 2 years, a male and female. They have been breeding little pups for that long as well and all has gone ok until about the past 6 months....she is having smaller litters (2-3) and it seems her babies are dying at about 3 weeks after birth. They start stumbling around looking very skinny and within a few days I will just find them dead and buried. I thought this was caused by respiratory problems at first because I heard a clicking noise so I changed the bedding to aspen but now it is still happening. Now my thought is, is mom possibly getting too old to make healthy babies? I see the babies suckling but is it possible she is just not producing the milk anymore? Any insight would help me I am just torn up about what I need to do to ensure our gerbils health and the health of her pups.
Thank you all
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Starting Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 12/4/2011 10:59:18 AM
Posts: 16,
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I think she has either had to many litters or she is to old anyway you should retire her.
Future Vet 
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Starting Member
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Last Login: 5/9/2011 1:55:58 PM
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| Yes for sure.... I think it is time to retire her as well, I do not want her health in jeopardy....her and the male are such good buddies and cuddle and love each other I hate to split them up. Do females go through menopause?
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Starting Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 12/4/2011 10:59:18 AM
Posts: 16,
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Yes between ages 2 and 4
Future Vet
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Starting Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 9/20/2011 1:33:54 PM
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| I do think that your gerbil might be to old to carry pups. She probably is not producing the proper milk that the pups need. I have read that some vets can spay gerbils, but it is not common.
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Starting Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 5/20/2012 8:01:52 AM
Posts: 27,
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Retiring her from breeding is probably the best. Get the male neutered and her spayed. although not many vets do spay and neuter gerbils.
 I have 5 bunnies now! Lola had 3 beautiful lion lops!
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Junior Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 5/3/2013 4:41:00 PM
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It is for sure time to retire your female. Breeding is cruel. I don't believe in it. If you continue to breed this poor female, I fear she will die of stress. Did you know breeding is very painful for the female and can kill her, especially if you breed them very often, which it sounds like you are doing. The right choice would be to stop breeding for good, but you really MUST retire your female, or you will lose her.
Money CAN buy happiness, it can buy SMALL PETS!
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