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Post by neil1987 on Apr 20, 2014 9:23:07 GMT -8
about 1 week ago my male 5 year old gerbil was fighting fit, then suddenly he slowed down, making mistakes like his feet slipping through his metal top floor, he would also chew a tube or go to drink but pause for about 30 seconds and then carry on. Right now all he will do is sleep, or just sit in his nest box awake.he will drink when he has to , and I made him some soft gerbil food to eat, now he will only take sunflower seeds.he has lost some weight, I can feel his spine more and his hips stick out. one of his eyes looks half closed and his face also looks skinny on the same side, like his face has sunken in, the other side looks ok.also I noticed his fur looks more rough and not kept. we took him to a small animal vets last Tuesday, she checked for uri , and overgrown teeth but couldn't find a thing wrong, she said that it could be his back teeth, but being 5 years old operating isn't really a good idea. just to add...his scent gland is fine, no discharge from nose or eyes, have noticed a slight slight clicking from his nose but nothing like people say a uri would be. thinking he could of had a stroke but he isn't spinning in circles, no head tilt or anything, no loss of limb use. he is on eye drops but im sure that isn't going to help. any ideas? or is he just an old boy winding down?
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jan
member
Posts: 12
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Post by jan on Apr 20, 2014 10:34:16 GMT -8
So sorry to hear about your little one!
The average lifespan of a gerbil is 3-4 years, but some have been known to live longer than that, such as yours. Considering his age, I'm not sure if there is anything specifically wrong with him. It's probably old age catching up.
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Post by neil1987 on Apr 20, 2014 12:17:25 GMT -8
im kind of wishing he wouldn't just hang on though, as I have to go back to work on Tuesday and I cant nurse him then : (
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Post by rexcalibur on Apr 20, 2014 23:38:47 GMT -8
Probably just due to old age. 5 years is a very long life for a gerbil.
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Post by neil1987 on Apr 21, 2014 1:58:02 GMT -8
been vers got x ray, he has bad molars swelling his tongue, and pneumonia , so hes on metacam and baytril . also syringe feeding oxbow liquid food. going to buy a reptile heat lamp , aslong as its external
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Post by rexcalibur on Apr 21, 2014 8:36:12 GMT -8
Maybe it's best for him to be put to sleep? If he's in bad shape, at least he would be able to fall peacefully and wouldn't be in any pain.
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Post by neil1987 on Apr 21, 2014 12:30:37 GMT -8
he just died in front of me on my his blanket. his heart beat just slowly faded.bless him. im now gerbil-less.when im ready I will get some more.or maybe degus, they live longer. loved the little guy to bits r.i.p nutboy x
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NedIsNotOnFire
Member
R.I.P Giggle and Jess x, now you're both living happily over the rainbow bridge, together again xxx
Posts: 251
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Post by NedIsNotOnFire on Apr 21, 2014 14:46:53 GMT -8
Aww xx These things are always so sad My heart dropped when i read that x Just remember he lived a Very long life, and i'm sure he was blissful and content right until the end R.I.P lil' guy <3
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Post by catnut on Apr 21, 2014 15:47:33 GMT -8
RIP, he had a nice long life and you were a good gerbil dad. Take care of yourself and you will know when you are ready to have another pet to give love to.
Take care,
Tammy
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Post by chakotay on Apr 21, 2014 17:36:31 GMT -8
I'm sorry about your gerbil. I agree, 5 years is a grand age for them.
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Post by neil1987 on Apr 22, 2014 3:01:24 GMT -8
thanks for all the r.i.p's = ] ill probably post on the forum if i get some more gerbils one day .
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Post by rs on Apr 25, 2014 4:13:10 GMT -8
Our condolences also. If you gerbil got to that age, you know you were doing something right!
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Post by neil1987 on Apr 25, 2014 5:43:23 GMT -8
I had him for 3 years, we rescued him from the school my girlfriend works at, he was living with his bro in a cage that had nothing but a water bottle , food bowl and sawdust. when we got him home we went out and filled the cage with wooden houses and toilet roll tubes. they went absolutely nuts lol . I just cant workout how my last one got pneumonia...maybe it was to do with age?
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Post by Coneja on Apr 25, 2014 9:15:08 GMT -8
I'm sorry to hear about your boy. It can be really tough, losing a close pet. Sounds like his long life was a good one though.
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