URGENT!! What can I do??

[flic23]

Woke up to find one of my guys lying very still near the food bowl - both gerbil and bowl I believe have fallen from a platform/box I have in their tank.
He's not eaten or drunk anything while I've been with him, he's not moving and now he seems to be crying (making a squeaking noise) and he seemed to be breathing quite fast. He just stays curled up.
The vets not open until 12, what can I do?
Could this be a break? Or could he be suffering from the heat? How can I help him?

[betty]

I am not sure what it could be as there are quite a lot of variables here, but I would put him in a fresh cool small environment in the shade - preferably with this 'cage' covered over with something so he doesn't see you walking past him all the time.

At least this will allow him the most peaceful, stress free and cool environment until you can take him to the vet. Obviously put water in there that is easy to get too like a shallow dish, water bottle at laying-down face height or bread soaked in water? Don't worry about food for now.

Leave him there until you take him to the vet - the less you handle him the better - especially if he has tiny broken bones and affected breathing.

[rs]

I can add almost nothing to what Betty said, but if your guy is accustomed to being spoken to or likes to hang out with you, then try to talk soothingly a bit, and also just sit nearby, even if you just read or something quiet, so he can see you and get some reassurance from your presence. Let us know what's up after your trip to the vet.