We are completely bewildered.

[IRescue452]

I thought you took them to the vet for an amputation? The ones you brought back to petco will probably be destroyed, probably by throwing them in a back room and letting them starve to death, a vet trip costs more than the gerbil. I've had gerbils completely recover from a tail being bitten off and live a normal life. You really should be changing something before getting new gerbils in the same situation. Try a glass aquarium or change the bedding, something to make it different.

[Sevaede]

I thought you took them to the vet for an amputation? The ones you brought back to petco will probably be destroyed, probably by throwing them in a back room and letting them starve to death, a vet trip costs more than the gerbil. I've had gerbils completely recover from a tail being bitten off and live a normal life. You really should be changing something before getting new gerbils in the same situation. Try a glass aquarium or change the bedding, something to make it different.

No, I did not take them to the vets for an amputation. I've seen situations in which people and places have paid a lot more money to care for an animal than its "worth". I am not sorry if I am over paranoid and thought the best thing to do was to seek help from where I got them from. How was I supposed to know whether or not they could get infections from their tail falling off? My mom had to help with neuters on mice and a few died so who's to say that the same thing couldn't have happened to them? What did *I* do wrong? I feel like you are being very accusational here. I have cleaned the cage, changed the things inside of it, and I, honestly, don't feel like I should be blamed for something that I didn't foresee (I mean, honestly, how am I supposed to predict the tails falling off of the gerbils who are/were under my constant supervision, care, and allowed NO contact with any other companion?). So, please, don't insinuate. I am doing the *best* that I can with all the knowledge that I have and that's all anyone can ask from anybody.

In any case, I will be buying a fifteen gal aquarium soon with a mesh top. I just don't see how changing the habitat is going to make that much of a difference. They don't seem to be inhibited or care about their present situation. They are being/acting sweet and healthy and frisky. Hmm. Now, off to the drawing board to devise a way to make a second level in their new habitat! Hmm. I must also get a new wheel and a ball. Awesome!