|
Post by amzpinkchick on Oct 20, 2009 10:54:05 GMT -8
Hi all i think both my gerbils had a stroke, because the other week Poka lost movement in her left side and was sloutching to the left and could not walk properly, and when she tried she would fall over, it only lasted less than a minute but it was still distressing, i watched her for the rest of the night and she was fine, was pretty much back to normal as soon as it was over, then this saturday snow did the same but did not last as long, then today about 20 minutes ago she did it again but it seemed worse, she kept trying to stand on her hind legs but because her right leg was not functioning she kept falling backwards and to the side, then again straight after she was fine, after doing research it sounds like they both had strokes, i know theres no cure but i also know its not normal for them both to be having them and especially snow having 2 in a space of 3 days, they are both 9 and a bit weeks old, what the hell is wrong? Please help i love them both so much and im scared of coming home to find one of them dead Edit:- Could it be heredity? I'm sure i read somewhere that if the mother or father have a stroke to not breed them because it can be passed on or something?
|
|
|
Post by catnut on Oct 21, 2009 13:22:36 GMT -8
I'm soo sorry your gerbils don't seem too well. I'm not sure about the question and I've never had a gerbil who's had a stroke and i've had 12 gerbils but have read 1/2 a grape a day is supposed to help them and make sure they are able to eat/drink as usual. If they seem bad,i'd take them to the vet or check on egerbil.com as they know more about gerbil strokes. Sure hope your girls will be ok? I'd also go back to the pet store you bought them from to tell about the sick gerbils.
Are these your first gerbils?
Take care,
Tammy
|
|
|
Post by amzpinkchick on Oct 21, 2009 15:53:08 GMT -8
Hi thanks for a reply, like i said there normal eating and drinking and coming out to play, if anything they dont want to go back when i try lol, i got them from college so i know there mother and father are healthy, it just does not make any sense because there fine now! But i just dont get why they would have a stroke, I had Gerbils when i was younger but i did not really get anything about them, i've done lots of research on what could be happening to them, and it all points to a stroke which points to no cure, i just wanted some kind of answers i guess :/ I talked to my teacher at college today and even she does not understand whats causing it, do you think maybe its when there over excited or something? Because it happened when they where out and being handled, thanks again for a reply I'll start giving them a grape a day Also i would just like to point out and make sure its clear that they are completely fine, like nothing has happened, drinking like normal and eating, and that they look fine and show no signs of ill health, thats why its so weird just wanted to make sure that was clear.
|
|
|
Post by ohmylokix on Oct 21, 2009 16:33:08 GMT -8
Careful with those grapes! They could get diarrhea and become dehydrated, thickening the blood.. etc.
If they are eating and drinking, let them.
|
|
|
Post by amzpinkchick on Oct 22, 2009 6:23:03 GMT -8
Snow had another one today come on guys something has to be up i'm really worried, and i have no vets that specialize in small rodents so i dont think the vet will be much help
|
|
|
Post by amzpinkchick on Oct 22, 2009 6:43:28 GMT -8
Also it seems to happen when they are out and snow has had it when shes on the bed having a run around, my dad said maybe its excitement but even if it was thats not normal
|
|
|
Post by catnut on Oct 22, 2009 12:52:14 GMT -8
Usually seizures happen when gerbils get excited,not strokes. Use grapes only when they seem to need more water intake, or don't seem to be drinking at all,forgot to mention that,was in abit of a hurry yesterday. Poor Snowy,it could just be some kind of condition she was born with. Let her rest and see if she has any over the next few days,no excitement at all.
Take care,
Tammy
|
|
|
Post by amzpinkchick on Oct 23, 2009 12:02:30 GMT -8
So no grapes then, cause like i said there drinking fine, i thought it might be something they had from birth because they have both had it :/ guess i just have to go on as normal as long as there okay, also they both have red noses like bloody? they had it when they where on some type of wood shavings then i put them onto carefresh and its got worse, so going to buy some aspen this weekend right thing to do right? From what iv read they have bloody noses cause they can be irritated to the bedding they have, or is it something more and i should be worried? There noses are only a little bloody getting a bit scabby, they are in fine health apart from there noses so i assume its just the bedding.
|
|
|
Post by catnut on Oct 23, 2009 12:54:56 GMT -8
I use aspen and there are no problems for my boys but each gerbil is different. You can put a small dab of Manuka honey on their noses each day (I am using it myself and it does help for skin sores,etc. esp. itchiness i've found). It can cost abit but it much cheaper than a vet visit. Ask for it at health food stores or you can buy it online. Make sure the UMF is 12 or more,the higher the number,the better for skin conditions as it has antibiotic properties.
Take care,
Tammy
|
|
|
Post by amzpinkchick on Oct 23, 2009 13:13:45 GMT -8
So is that honey pretty easy to get in the UK? Also i had snow and poka out not to long ago and when snow was eating i noticed she kept like leaning forward then she would right herself and then lean forward again like she was off balance, is this something to worry about? God i feel like such a worrying mother lol
|
|
|
Post by catnut on Oct 23, 2009 13:59:24 GMT -8
I've read that it is,i live in Canada. It's a new zealand product. red eyed gerbils can be abit tipsy to see better.
tammy
|
|
|
Post by amzpinkchick on Oct 23, 2009 14:04:08 GMT -8
Thats great thanks you have really helped me alot i feel a lot better about them now and hope they will be okay, like i said they dont seem ill in any way, if its heredity theres nothing i can do but help them when they have there stroke type things lol, im just trying to find a glass tank now so they can have a bigger enclosure, so again thanks for your advice and help i really appreciate it. xoxox Snowy sends her thanks
|
|
|
Post by amzpinkchick on Oct 24, 2009 1:10:17 GMT -8
Just thought i'd post that she had another one this morning :/ again it was when she was in a big area, i gerbil proofed the front room and she was running around having fun and then her left leg stopped working and she started falling to the side when ever she walked, then she was fine, and did not want to go back in there home, so is this what i should expect from now on lol
|
|
|
Post by catnut on Oct 24, 2009 14:16:33 GMT -8
Poor little Snowy,she is a cutie! Did you check on egerbil? they have some that ask vets questions so know about health issues esp. Ed. They may have more suggestions like diet,etc. Maybe not let her out for afew days to see if she has any without being out,that is what I'd try.
Take care,
Tammy
|
|
|
Post by amzpinkchick on Oct 26, 2009 2:31:36 GMT -8
I just changed there bedding to aspen fingers crossed it will work and im trying to find some of that honey but i noticed today when snow was grooming her face she squeaked poor baby im guessing her nose is hurting her
|
|