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Post by seamermate on Apr 14, 2009 13:15:19 GMT -8
Hi everyone
one of our Gerbils has lost an upper tooth and it appears that the remaining tooth is loose and may also fall out
Do gerbils teeth regrow?
If not will he still be able to feed as normal or will we have to make Gerbil porridge from crushed food
I've read they can be fed baby food....is this correct
thanks
Dave & a very worried and upset Megan
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Post by debster0810 on Apr 14, 2009 21:51:05 GMT -8
I'm not an expert but here's what I found on the internet. It's on this website: www.animalhospitals-usa.com/small_pets/gerbil_health.html"Examine your gerbil's teeth: Often the first time an owner realizes there is a tooth problem, is when the gerbil rapidly loses weight but otherwise appears healthy. On examination it will be found to have lost one or more of its front teeth. This means it cannot eat its usual food and needs a soft diet e.g. baby food, biscuit crumb, bread soaked in milk. Usually the tooth grows back again within a week. Meanwhile, the gerbil cannot gnaw and the remaining teeth may grow too long and require trimming."
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Post by RitzieAnn on Apr 14, 2009 22:01:33 GMT -8
I had a boy with super long teeth once, one was crooked and the other fell out. I had to take *most* of my regular gerbil food (minus the stuff that was in hard shells) and grind it into a powder for him. Then I put some of the powder into a dish and added water a drip at a time until it was just enough to form "balls" that he could pick up and eat. That kept him going for quite a while. As far as baby food- I really wouldn't. At least not very much or very often. Baby food is very liquidy. It's got a lot of moisture and taht causes runny stools. Just like feeding too much fresh fruit to a gerbil- it could/would likely upset his tummy. Plus "baby food" isn't really a gerbil diet. I'd say just grind up the food, either into smaller chunks a powder and add drips of water. Not even very much water. Ever make pie crust from scratch? It should "ball up" and be barely enough water to hold it together. It worked for me anyway
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Post by seamermate on Apr 17, 2009 4:35:39 GMT -8
Thanks for all the advise peppers teeth are growing back and he seems happy and eating as normal.
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Post by 1danfane on Apr 19, 2009 6:24:17 GMT -8
This has also happened to one of my gerbils...
Can anybody explain a good method of feeding a gerbil with a lost tooth? He has lost a lot of weight and didnt realise it was his tooth until today the poor guy! He is finding it very hard to eat any of the usual food and tries to eat my finger whenever i put my hand in the cage!
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Post by catnut on Apr 19, 2009 13:21:28 GMT -8
Hi there,
Poor Shaggy. I would crush his food with a pill crusher or whatever you have and see if he can eat that. Open and half the sunflower seeds and nuts. I've had gerbils lose their teeth and do fine as long as they get enough food,it can take a week to grow back. If he won't or can't eat that,i'd try oatmeal cooked and cooled or even organic baby food(or applesauce).
take care,
Tammy
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Post by 1danfane on Apr 20, 2009 6:20:03 GMT -8
I'm very confused because I have never had anything wrong with any gerbil I have owned
Shaggy makes a clicking noise with his teeth sometimes and has been struggling to eat, although he seems to be getting through stuff OK now...... thats today anyway. I keep having to grab him and look at his teeth but I have no idea how they should look......... I'm so baffled. When I look at shaggy's teeth, the bottom ones are quite long and the top are shorter... is that the way it should be? And my other gerbil Scooby's teeth aren't even visible when i turn him on his back to take a look, when I was trying to compare them!
I just have no idea. I'm so confused. I have had so many problems with shaggy lately. He was sick a couple of weeks ago, the vet said it was a stroke because he had lost his balance. His eyes have been weeping red stuff (which apparently is not blood) for weeks, some days worse than others. I hate to say it but I'm getting a bit fed up, even though I know it isnt the gerbils fault, but i just don't know what to do. he could be completely fine for all I know. Its become quite a headache, like there is something different wrong with him every week, and unless he is in a critical condition, surely I am not obliged to take him to the vet for every little thing ?
also it might be worth adding that he was wimpering this morning when i went to see them. They were both snuggled in bed, Scooby looked as if he hadnt got a wink of sleep because shaggy was moaning, when I poked and woke shaggy, he seemed to stop and come out to say hello. Is he just being a drama queen or what?? Sorry to mount on all the questions but I have never had so many problems with a gerbil. My previous pair were fine throughout their entire lives!!
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Post by catnut on Apr 20, 2009 13:10:36 GMT -8
seems that Shaggy has some health issues,i had two gerbils with health issues for over a year so I know it can be trying. He could be in pain,there is metacam(a tiny drop a day) available but you need to return to the vets or he could have a respiratory infection(does he seem cold?ruffled? or lethargic?) or maybe he has something more serious to do with the stroke? I'd watch him more closely and see how he acts,I know i'd be real worried if he was my little guy and worth a call to the vets.
Take care,
Tammy
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Post by 1danfane on Apr 21, 2009 7:40:18 GMT -8
He is eating and everything, but he finds it hard to pick things up and carry in between his teeth. I noticed he drinks alot more now, and I never see his brother (Scooby) drink as often. They are desert animals as well so don't drink an awful lot do they? Could this be a sign of anything ?
His right eye (the side his stroke was on) closes up unless i get him out and open it for him. It still has a red fluid around it, and today when I got him out and tried to have a look at his eye, there was a little red solid (almost like a blood clot just sitting on the surface of his eye. Obviously I couldnt get it out no matter how much I tried. I had to put him back eventually as he was squeaking and started to get a bit stressed out. Will it come out naturally ? I will keep trying once a day anyway. I'm a bit helpless to do anything much because I'll never know if he's in pain. Also it may be worth mentioning that he seem sto shiver/shake a bit round his mouth sometimes. Whether his whiskers have got a bit more sensitive or his teeth are bothering is the question...
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Post by catnut on Apr 21, 2009 13:40:47 GMT -8
I've never had a gerbil who suffered a stroke so not sure if what he has are affects from that. Sounds like he has teeth issues,maybe they are loose? or he has sore gums? I know it's hard to see inside a gerbils' mouth. Just hand feed him when you can esp. sunflower seeds already shelled for him or crushed foods. Drinking more could be the kidneys but also some drink more,how many times does he drink? They say 4ml to 10 ml. is normal,mine drink twice a day.
I'm not sure about his eye,if it looks worse I'd get him to the vets,it could be an infection. Are you able to take him to the vets?
Take care,
Tammy
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Post by 1danfane on Apr 22, 2009 13:20:44 GMT -8
Yeah I am able to get him to the vets.
Does anybody have any advice on teeth? I've never come across overgrown teeth or anything like that so wouldn't be able to spot it easily. If I explain how his teeth look... maybe that will help. His bottom ones are long and his top are smaller.. He seems to eat ok, I do hand feed him sometimes and did soften the food with water a couple of times but I don't want to do it too often because it can only make things worse if there is something wrong surely?
I just held Shaggy 5 minutes ago. I literally just scooped him up in my hand and he didn't even attempt at running away. He seems to just sleep, eat and drink and that is it, whilst the other gerbil (Scooby) is his normal curious and busy personality! When I held him, he stayed quite still, and he was clicking his teeth in his mouth. He could have been grinding them? Or maybe they are loose? There is something wrong, but I have no idea what.... he seems to be depressed and I wish I could help him but I cannot just take him to the vet without any good reaosn other than he isn't his self. Its quite difficult, I want to help him .. I don't know how.
Can gerbils fit ? Because I think thats what Shaggy had last night. His back legs started shaking beyond his control, and then his whole body starting doing it too. It was all quite strange to watch. I was helpless to do anything. After this stopped, he was just running round the cage time after time. I dont know what the hel happened. Anyway today when I got back home, I went to see them and there were dots of blood splatted inside the cage, and surprise surprise, Shaggy had a problem. His right ear was dripping with blood. The two gerbils cant have been fighting because otherwise they would still have been at it... and I think Shaggy would have been dead by now. The bleeding had stopped luckily and he was just in bed really. All i can think of is that he was scratching his ear and made it bleed. I always seem to notice that his ear has a bit of dry blood around it, so maybe he just scratched a little too much/. Scooby has been cleaning Shaggy's ear out ! (With his tongue!) and Shaggy just remains lifeless (but still here.. so far)
I'm so baffled. I'm in a predicament. He is eating, drinking, sleeping fine, but just seems "sad". Unfortunately I can't take him to the vet for that. I won't go on and on, but I am just very confused. This whole chain of events must be so unbelieveble to read. I cant quite believe I am writing it. I am getting quite tired of worrying over this.
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Post by catnut on Apr 22, 2009 13:30:47 GMT -8
Poor Shaggy,still has problems. He could have an ear infection or a tumor in his ear,that needs antibiotics and he can get better,my Zippy had that. If it happens tonight,i would definately get him seen asap or he could pass if not treated. i would also guess he has some pain,that would explain him being "sad" and not his normal self. Metacam can help but has to be diluted and he can only have a tiny drop as it's not for gerbils,a vet should know how to dose a rodent.
I know how you feel as I didn't know what was wrong with my girls at first,who are now both gone but I spent alot of money and many sleepless nights trying to keep them healthy,both lasted a year more than they should've but they were worth it and they did get well,just kept returning so they needed treatment every couple months plus I did some things on my own to help,they lived happy despite health issues or I would've had them pts if they suffered.
Take care,
Tammy
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Post by catnut on Apr 22, 2009 13:32:29 GMT -8
oh,and gerbils can suffer from epilipsey or fits. Good wishes to you and Shaggy. T.
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Post by 1danfane on Apr 25, 2009 7:26:34 GMT -8
Hi, just thought I'd post even though I don't think the tooth was the problem. Shaggy died today Could have been last night possibly. His buddy Scooby now a bit confused but he will cope until we find him a new friend! The poor guy. rest in peace.
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Post by catnut on Apr 25, 2009 13:04:47 GMT -8
I'm soo sorry to hear about Shaggy. Make sure when you get another gerbil,you keep him away from Scooby for 2 weeks( to make sure he is healthy) and to split cage him. Good luck with everything,just try to spend time with Scooby and keep him busy with cardboard.
Take care,
Tammy
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