Mary,
I'm sorry to hear about your pups. Have you been reading the posts this
past week? There have been a number with the same problem that you are
having.
Put all of your gerbils on Ornycycline (tetracycline). I believe you are in
the US so you will be able to buy it in a pet store; bird department. Add
it to their water bottles, and change it every day. Mix up a small amount
at a time, since it will have to be changed every 24 hours, no use pouring
it down the drain.
If some of the gerbils are too weak to drink it give it to them a drop or
two every few hours, using an eye dropper or needle less syringe.
For the orphan pups if they are old enough to survive on their own leave
them with the dad, if there is one. Keep them warm by placing a light
nearby, make sure that the temperature does not rise to high! If they are
still very young you can try placing them with the other mother. Rub them
well with the bedding from her nest first.
Keep all of your sick gerbils medicated for a full ten days, and keep them
warm until they began to feel better.
Please think about starting a reference folder. Then keep emails that have
important health information, for future reference. If you are in the US I
would recommend always having some Ornycycline in the house. It is quite
cheap, and easy to purchase. Animals as small as gerbils can become sick
and die very quickly.
Good luck,
Janet
