Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I think the way I've been recommending may be inadequate.

It may be ok to quarantine animals for 2 or 3 weeks to see if they are healthy, but what if they have a disease to which they have developed some immunity towards, say a respitory illness, which their bodies keep in check. Perhaps, during the quarantine period, a member of the existing colony should by housed with the new comers. That might give some assurance that the two groups have antibodies to the same illnesses.

Just a thought.

DeMak

I've been thinking much the same thing.

I've not had any problems with my rats, or hamsters, or gerbils. My mice are another story. My mouse colony unquestionably has immunity to a pathogen that invariably kills any introduced mice. It is 100% lethal, and they always die approximately 72-to-84 hours from the time I bring them into my critter-room. Even when I set the new animal's cage on the opposite side of the room, it will still die. Yet, my colony is apparently lively and healthy as can be. I just have to keep it closed.

The only means by which I can introduce new genetic material, is by setting up a new male with two or three proven does that have just been separated from their babies. They'll usually come into heat within 24 hours of weaning their litters, so he gets a few hours to do his job before he sickens. I've done this twice now. Each time, I've sincerely hoped that the new male would survive, but he hasn't.
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tricia

It would be even worse if the newcomers made the colony sick, which is my big fear.

DeMak