Post by Admin on Mar 25, 2005 17:49:46 GMT
Hi,
In light of recent health problems reported with E.coli, and also to sum up our discussion on the subject at the AGM of our society, i have compiled a few points below, summing up our decisions at the meeting.
Comments are welcome.
1. We (NGS breeders) should regard ANY bouts of diarrhoea (especially if followed by death) as suspect, until it's confirmed otherwise by a vet
2. As a responsible NGS breeder we should always inform our secretary of ANY health problems appearing in our stock (and not just diarrhoea) so that swift advice and also correct procedure can be undertaken, and help can be given if so needed.
3. As soon as health problems are noticed, we must stop selling and swapping stock, and consider the stock to be in quarantine until the health problems have been removed from the breeders stock. The NGS doesn't want to have it's breeders associated with bad breeding policies or for intentionally selling on gerbils with known health problems.
4. During this quarantine period, on no account should you bring gerbils or attempt to enter gerbils at shows, until you are fully satisfied that all health problems have been removed from your stock. This of course does not bar you from coming to shows and supporting other NGS members at that event.
5. Quarantine in E.coli should be for at least until the treated gerbils have offspring, and that offspring are shown to be healthy.
6. Health problems do not automatically mean needless, senseless culling. The form of E.coli concerned in recent health problems is very treatable, and culling the gerbils should only be considered by a vet as a very last resort.
I am the first to realise that vet costs can be expensive, but hopefully as breeders we realise this, and can hopefully minimise the impact on our wallets by saving up in advance for these problems if and when they arise. That's part of sensible breeding with animals that are capable of producing many, many, offspring! If you can't afford vet fees, many vets allow you to spread the cost over several weeks, which is much easier to afford. Even so the price for testing and treatment can seem high (£40) but it will be nothing compared to how this disease can affect yours and others stock if not quickly treated. In many cases i'm sure the NGS and it's members can help people who can't afford fees immediately by making our surplus supplies of baytril/antibiotics available. After saying this, not being able to afford treatment is no excuse for hiding suspected health problems in your stock and to then carry on selling or swapping stock.
The above numbered points are aimed primarily at active NGS breeders and their current stocks.
Eddie
In light of recent health problems reported with E.coli, and also to sum up our discussion on the subject at the AGM of our society, i have compiled a few points below, summing up our decisions at the meeting.
Comments are welcome.
1. We (NGS breeders) should regard ANY bouts of diarrhoea (especially if followed by death) as suspect, until it's confirmed otherwise by a vet
2. As a responsible NGS breeder we should always inform our secretary of ANY health problems appearing in our stock (and not just diarrhoea) so that swift advice and also correct procedure can be undertaken, and help can be given if so needed.
3. As soon as health problems are noticed, we must stop selling and swapping stock, and consider the stock to be in quarantine until the health problems have been removed from the breeders stock. The NGS doesn't want to have it's breeders associated with bad breeding policies or for intentionally selling on gerbils with known health problems.
4. During this quarantine period, on no account should you bring gerbils or attempt to enter gerbils at shows, until you are fully satisfied that all health problems have been removed from your stock. This of course does not bar you from coming to shows and supporting other NGS members at that event.
5. Quarantine in E.coli should be for at least until the treated gerbils have offspring, and that offspring are shown to be healthy.
6. Health problems do not automatically mean needless, senseless culling. The form of E.coli concerned in recent health problems is very treatable, and culling the gerbils should only be considered by a vet as a very last resort.
I am the first to realise that vet costs can be expensive, but hopefully as breeders we realise this, and can hopefully minimise the impact on our wallets by saving up in advance for these problems if and when they arise. That's part of sensible breeding with animals that are capable of producing many, many, offspring! If you can't afford vet fees, many vets allow you to spread the cost over several weeks, which is much easier to afford. Even so the price for testing and treatment can seem high (£40) but it will be nothing compared to how this disease can affect yours and others stock if not quickly treated. In many cases i'm sure the NGS and it's members can help people who can't afford fees immediately by making our surplus supplies of baytril/antibiotics available. After saying this, not being able to afford treatment is no excuse for hiding suspected health problems in your stock and to then carry on selling or swapping stock.
The above numbered points are aimed primarily at active NGS breeders and their current stocks.
Eddie