katy
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Posts: 7 
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Post by katy on Apr 30, 2015 3:21:54 GMT -8
I don't know what to do and need some advice. I just picked up my little white gerbil and felt a lump on my hand as he lay on it, so I know he hates it, but I turned him over and looked. He has a lump on his stomach and about the size of a pea (which is pretty big for his tiny body), and pink with no hair.
I am in total shock and don't know what to do next. Does anyone have an idea what it should be, or have any advice on what I can do next? Obviously I will bring him to the vet, but I would like some idea of what this could mean or what options I have? I am thinking the worst right now, and hes only one and a half.
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Post by betty on Apr 30, 2015 8:51:28 GMT -8
Most likely a scent gland tumour - which is (unfortunately) quite common in gerbils. The vet will confirm.
If it is, these can easily be surgically removed if they are small enough, but you need to find a specialist small animal vet as many vets with no experience in this won't want to risk surgery and so might suggest 'leaving it' (until it gets worse) or euthanasia them (cos they don't want to risk performing the surgery themselves).
My 2.5 year old gerbil had a successful op before Christmas and all healed well and he is still the boss of his son.
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katy
member
Posts: 7
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Post by katy on Apr 30, 2015 9:02:19 GMT -8
Thanks for your reply! He is going to the vet first thing tomorrow, so Ill know then and hopefully there is something they can do! I'm just surprised it got this big without me noticing, I take them out every day...suppose I never thought to turn them over.
Great to hear your gerbil is doing well after his op, its hard to imagine operating on something so tiny!
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Post by betty on Apr 30, 2015 10:22:40 GMT -8
I know - but they are tough little cookies!
My gerbils tumour got big fast, and started bleeding. Just caught it in time as they can only remove them if they are bigger than the scent gland itself.
The specialist vet was WONDERFUL - you know when you just walk into the consult room and you feel reassured. Worth driving the extra 15 miles for the op. It cost more than I was expecting - but only 4 months later and we are on less than a pound a day - and who wouldn't pay £1 a day for their favourite gerbil?
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