Is this an eye infection? (with pictures)

[kallista]

A few days ago, I noticed my gerbils eye was a bit swollen, and he was losing some fur.. I immediately thought it was an eye infection, but I'm not sure.




I don't know if the pictures are clear, but his eye seems to be a tiny bit swollen, and there is a very small patch of fur gone. There is also a little bit of red discharge in is eye corner.

So what should I do? Clean his eye with a damp cotton swap, or go to the vet? I'm taking my gerbils with me on holiday in 10 days, so I don't want anything bad to happen when we are there (in Italy), since I strongly doubt there are gerbil-experienced vets there..

Oh he is a lone gerbil in a permanent split, so another gerbil couldn't have been licking is eye.

[esztershine]

Try camomile tea rinsed in a cotton bud. Camomile has soothing, calming effects And antiseptic on scars. Does he scratch around his eye?

[kallista]

Okay thanks, I will try that!
I'm not sure if he scratches, I don't think so though... I will keep a close eye on him today, to see if he does!

[esztershine]

If it does not improve in a few days I would seek advice from a vet.

[kallista]

Yes I will do that!
I didn't find any chamomile tea in our cupboard, but I will go and buy some. Is it also okay to clean his eye with just a damp (warm water? ) cotton swab in the meantime?

[Flashh]

I doubt it's an eye infection, but gerbils do often get "red tears" (Porphyrins) normally stress or illness induced.
So the likelyhood is it's not his eye that's actually the problem but some other underlying factor.
Check over the rest of him to make sure he's ok, then maybe try and think of anything that could be stressing him, or any changes you have made recently ect.

[esztershine]

You can gently clean his eye. The way I do it is hold a Gerbil in my palm against my chest give him a treat he loves (cheese in my case) and gently dab his eye with camomile soaked and rinsed in a cotton bud while eating. Don't make him too wet though in case catches a cold.