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Post by crittercrazy on May 1, 2015 16:59:40 GMT -8
Hi all, I have been really busy and therefore not spent much time on here. However, I found that one of my gerbils had a bloody ear. I know its not a fight. The gerbil is Minty, one of my older girls. She's somewhere around two and a half years old. I couldn't find any sharp edges in the cage that could have cut her. She's acting pretty normal otherwise, maybe a little less energetic. Not head tilting, lethargy, etc.. When I picked her up to get a better look, I couldn't really see anything other than the blood. Is it a tumor or cyst, and she was scratching at it? In that case, is there anything I can do for her? (other then a vet trip, I'm afraid that's not a possibility) Thanks for any help.
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Post by cinnamon on May 2, 2015 3:40:49 GMT -8
If it is a tumour, I suppose there isn't much a vet could do apart from possibly giving her some painkillers. It could also be an ear infection/cyst (a head tilt would be the common sign for that, but doesn't have to be), which should really be treated with antibiotics.
But if a trip to the vet is really not an option, try to clean the wound with water and perhaps put some Manuka honey on it as it is supposed to be anibiotic.
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Post by cinnamon on May 2, 2015 3:53:23 GMT -8
Found this online:
Sore Ears This can result from excessive cleaning but can also be due to mites. Mites can be treated with the sprays or Ivermectin sold in petshops. A serious infestation may need veterinary treatment. Gerbils can sometimes have a benign growth on the ear that can grow quite fast. It can look like a pink cauliflower. If the gerbil catches this when cleaning it can also bleed. These growths are usually harmless and do not need to be removed unless they are blocking the ear canal.
Inner Ear Problems This is more common in older gerbils, and is recognisable when the gerbil has a head tilt. This is caused principally by a cyst in the ear known as a cholesteatoma. These cysts are common in gerbils and are untreatable. However, the chronic condition caused by these cysts, where the gerbil loses balance and often circles whilst holding its head at a very unusual angle, is treatable using antibiotics. This chronic condition is caused by an infection that is secondary to the cholesteatoma. The best treatment is an anti-inflammatory injection administered by your Vet, and treatment with antibiotics such as Baytril. In the majority of cases a reduced head tilt remains even though `the chronic phase of the condition has passed, but your gerbil will adapt to this and will enjoy life as much as he ever did. Be aware that this problem can reoccur. If the chronic phase of this condition is not treated then the gerbil will often become totally incapable of caring for itself, it will collapse and quickly die
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Post by betty on May 2, 2015 4:08:13 GMT -8
Yeah, I would clean that up and see if it happens again. There looks like there is a lot of fluid there - like something burst rather than just from scratching. Looks quite fresh too.
If it happens again, I would think vets might be the best option (or an experienced small animal keeper) as something as small as a gerbil can't really afford to lose to much fluid...
The ear looks a bit dropped, but remember that gerbils don't like to show discomfort until they are on deaths door, so don't assume it isn't uncomfortable/painful just because they are still digging and eating.
Hope that's the last you see of it though...
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Post by crittercrazy on May 2, 2015 17:30:18 GMT -8
Alright, thank you! After being cleaned up, her ear looks a lot better. Its a little folded over and red, but overall better. I guess I'll just keep an eye on it and hope its not too serious or frequent. Thanks for the help!
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Post by betty on Jun 22, 2015 6:01:39 GMT -8
Did you ever have any more problems with the ear? Or did it all settle back down?
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