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Post by Alexprmc2 on Jan 27, 2015 8:52:04 GMT -8
I cannot currently log in, but I have an issue with the health of one of my sister's gerbils. He has recently began to breathe heavier, his whole body seems to 'pulsate' with every heartbeat, and his heart rate is visibly about 2.5 beats per second. He half closes his eyes from time to time, and stays stationary with his head angled towards the ground. I have hand fed and watered him whenever I am home, but besides that he seems to stay still. He usually makes an attempt to run about and has never really taken anything from hand until now, he has always been stubborn. The other gerbil has shown signs of aid, such as pushing his rear to help him move, and he himself just stares at the sick gerbil as it sits stationary. This healthy gerbil has been pulling bedding towards to sick one as he moves, and is showing no sign of sickness himself.
Please help, im very worried.
Thank you
-Alex
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erin
Member
mom to two gerbils <3
Posts: 80 
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Post by erin on Jan 27, 2015 9:17:34 GMT -8
Hi, sorry to hear he's not doing well  It's nearly impossible to diagnose them just by looking at them. Some things that came to my mind were old age, stroke or seizure. Please take him to a vet, the earlier the better or else it could be too late. Good luck. |
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Post by Alexprmc2 on Jan 27, 2015 9:56:29 GMT -8
Thank you for the reply. I don't have any form of transport, and the option of a vet will not be within the next few days sadly. Old age may be an issue, but his symptoms have correlated with other threads I've seen were the cause has been issues such as respiratory problems or infections. I fear it may be too late in a few days
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erin
Member
mom to two gerbils <3
Posts: 80
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Post by erin on Jan 27, 2015 10:14:24 GMT -8
It may very well be too late in a few days unfortunately. How old is the gerbil? Just in case what he has turns out to be contagious to the other gerbil, is there any way you can separate them until you can get him to a vet? If it is a stroke, you'll be happy to know that gerbils are great at recovering from them. I really hope all goes well, you're doing a great thing by trying to keep him comfortable and fed/hydrated. Is he having diarrhea? Any blood in the tank? I wish you all the best.
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Post by Alexprmc2 on Jan 27, 2015 11:42:55 GMT -8
No blood, no diarrhea, no signs of abnormality besides the actions of the sick gerbil. Sadly not, we have only recently adopted them from a friend so have no access to another cage. Also, earliest vet appointments near me are Thursday morning, to which everyone will be at work for. All i can do is hope |
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Post by johanne on Jan 28, 2015 0:42:12 GMT -8
The behaviour you describe is of a gerbil in pain. No way to know what's causing it though. If you can get some Metacam (available from a vet) for him that would really help. If he's older there may be nothing that can be done for him. Just make him comfortable and keep doing what you're doing. If it's not already toasty warm where they are, some extra heat will allow his immune system to work on healing instead of on keeping his body temperature up.
Whatever you do, please don't separate him from his friend. In the extremely unlikely case that it's contagious, the other gerbil has already been exposed. The sick one needs comfort from his friend.
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erin
Member
mom to two gerbils <3
Posts: 80
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Post by erin on Jan 28, 2015 8:47:09 GMT -8
The behaviour you describe is of a gerbil in pain. No way to know what's causing it though. If you can get some Metacam (available from a vet) for him that would really help. If he's older there may be nothing that can be done for him. Just make him comfortable and keep doing what you're doing. If it's not already toasty warm where they are, some extra heat will allow his immune system to work on healing instead of on keeping his body temperature up. Whatever you do, please don't separate him from his friend. In the extremely unlikely case that it's contagious, the other gerbil has already been exposed. The sick one needs comfort from his friend. Terribly sorry for the wrong information! I'm quite new to gerbils and only replied because I was confident in my answer. The comfort of your gerbils is what's most important. Thank you for clarifying! |
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Post by Alexprmc2 on Jan 29, 2015 8:50:06 GMT -8
The first, and only vet appointment I could get hold of was booked for 2PM today. I rushed home from work, booked half the day off, and literally ran home to be ready to drive him to the vets. Sadly, I was too late. I'll miss you Scrat.
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Post by johanne on Jan 29, 2015 13:29:30 GMT -8
I'm so sorry. It's highly unlikely a vet could have done anything. Gerbils tend to fade away fairly quickly. Take care.
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Post by catnut on Jan 29, 2015 16:21:37 GMT -8
RIP Scrat, take care of yourself,ok?
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erin
Member
mom to two gerbils <3
Posts: 80
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Post by erin on Jan 29, 2015 20:16:32 GMT -8
The first, and only vet appointment I could get hold of was booked for 2PM today. I rushed home from work, booked half the day off, and literally ran home to be ready to drive him to the vets. Sadly, I was too late. I'll miss you Scrat. I'm so sorry. At least he's no longer in pain. All the best to you. |
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Post by Alexprmc2 on Jan 30, 2015 7:25:12 GMT -8
Thanks guys, you've all really helped me  problem is, the other gerbil now seems lonely. He never leaves his nest, and seems very twitchy. any suggestions on how to cheer him up/get him to relax? |
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Post by crittercrazy on Jan 30, 2015 12:10:01 GMT -8
So sorry about your gerbil. If the other gerbil is lonely, the best thing to do is get him a new friend. Its common for gerbils to become "depressed" so to speak when alone- and depressed gerbils are more likely to get sick, and will not be as tame/friendly etc. Are you able to get another gerbil? If not/until you do, try to give him as much attention as possible and maybe get some new toys (or even just cardboard) to distract him. RIP Scrat. |
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Post by Alexprmc2 on Jan 30, 2015 12:54:53 GMT -8
What age gerbil should I look out for? I was thinking of getting two young gerbils
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Post by crittercrazy on Jan 30, 2015 15:28:03 GMT -8
How old is your current gerbil? If he's older then a year or year and a half, getting two is a good idea. If he's younger, then it doesn't matter too much. 6-10 weeks would be the best age for the new gerbil(s).
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It's nearly impossible to diagnose them just by looking at them. Some things that came to my mind were old age, stroke or seizure. Please take him to a vet, the earlier the better or else it could be too late. Good luck.
problem is, the other gerbil now seems lonely. He never leaves his nest, and seems very twitchy. any suggestions on how to cheer him up/get him to relax?
