Jennifer Hinze <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote
>I had two gerbils for almost 5 years and they have recently died from scent
>gland tumours. One lived for almost 8 months while sick. My question is -
>they had a beautiful 3 level cage that I want to transfer my new gerbils
>into. I am away at school and didn't bring her because she was sick and so
>it is easier for my parents to bury her, and my mom is going to ship the
>cage to me. If it is disenfected really well is there any residual problem
>with putting my new ones in it? They are just in a starter kit, because I
>am a student and cannot afford to buy them a nice one, especially when I
>already have one. I don't want them to get sick, but I am assuming that
>tumours are genetic and if I clean the cage well there will be nothing in it
>that will make them sick, but I just wanted to check before I went ahead and
>did it.
>
>Thanks in advance for all your advice
There is no evidence that scent gland tumours are infectious.
Potentially a virus may be involved., but the only factor we have
identified is that multiple males in a metal surfaced tank or cage will
be more likely to get these tumours. Females get them rarely, as do lone
males. airs or groups of males in cages or tanks with metal bars or
metal bases are for more susceptible. With glass and plastic tanks with
no metal toys tumours have become very rare. My guess is that metal
surfaces promote more marking and competing males do mark a lot. This
may promote a greater level of activity in the gland that leads to a
tumour.
--
Julian
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
National Gerbil Society
http://www.gerbils.co.uk/
