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Old 03-13-2005, 05:01 PM   #11
Emma
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The main problems of persistent bar chewing as far as I can see are rub injuries on the nose and tooth damage, which can become a serious problem, and the reason why I would seek to remedy persitent bar gnawing. I have seen the "bar chewing causes brain damage" thing bandied about the internet but quite honestly can't quite see the logic nor have ever heard that fact from a reliable source. I would be wary about continuing to spread that around as a known fact unless you have any proof - other than that statement being repeated on countless pet owner authored websites of course!



A lot of petcare books are cr*p! My personal reccomendation is "Hamsterlopaedia" by Peter & Chris Logsdail, well-known hamster breeders in the UK, in conjunction with their longstanding vet Kate Hovers. I think it is pitched at the right level, giving detailed information without getting too technical, and on issues where there are major differences in opinion between keepers it tends to mention both sides rather than stating one opinion as gospel.
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Old 03-14-2005, 06:04 AM   #12
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Actually, i do have proof (well proof of a reliable source) I talked with the exotics vet that is near me about cage bar chewing and he comfirmed the effects, including brain damage. I also checked various vetrenarian websites that all confirmed it.
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Old 03-14-2005, 03:56 PM   #13
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I'd be very interested in any links or journal references etc? I have never found any reliable sources about this.
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Old 03-14-2005, 05:00 PM   #14
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Ok theres hamsterific.com (under "care" there's an article on bar chewing) honestly i can't remember any of the vet sites, i checked too many to remember them.
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Old 03-14-2005, 05:23 PM   #15
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Yes the article on hamsterific is one place I remember seeing this mentioned. The article is, as far as I can tell, written by a pet owner not a vet, and provides no evidence to back up the brain damage claim just states it as a fact. I don't mean to disrespect the author of the article when I say I don't consider it a very reliable source for evidence of this claim, I have been taught in my degree course to question even published scientific papers to evaluate whether the information they are presenting is valid or not, so I do apply that kind of thinking to issues such as this.



There are two other important reasons why persistent bar chewing should be prevented (nose rubbing injuries and tooth damage), and my opinion is that telling pet owners that their pets will get brain damage by chewing their bars is going to unneccesarily scare people.
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Old 03-14-2005, 05:27 PM   #16
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Default Scare people

Unless proved otherwise

Looking forward to hearing the results of your research Carefresh.
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Old 03-14-2005, 05:34 PM   #17
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Obviously but I think evidence is the key. There are far too many myths perpetuated by people repeating something they've read on the internet.
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Old 03-14-2005, 05:37 PM   #18
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Yes, that was one of the websites that was not a vet website. I have not been telling people it will definately cause brain damage.



I said
Quote:
chewing the bars frequently can cause brain damage...


As you can see I said can, not will. Only at a certain level will it cause brain damage, so not definately. I will not believe information that I find on the internet imediately. I always check various sites and if the large majority (meaning at least 8 out of 10, or 4 out of 5) confirms the information I will most likely believe it. Also I did talk to the exotics vet near me who deals with hamsters.
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Old 03-14-2005, 05:54 PM   #19
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Default Problem with proving

there has not been a great deal of research done on hamsters a pets unfortunately, but don't let that hold you back - who knows you may find some more reasons why it is bad - I doubt you will find anything claiming it is good, but am willing to be proved wrong
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