Did my vet injure my gerbil? Might she recover?

[Fuzzies]

Brought the family's 2+ year old female pink-eyed white to the vet to check out a cut around her ear. It seemed to be healing but we wanted to make sure the sporadic bleeding was from Ghost's re-opened external cut. The vet confirmed as much and checked out the cage mate, Pumpkin, with whom she had been living with since they were both pups to make sure they hadn't been scrapping with each other.

No signs of fighting, but during the exam the vet offered to trim Ghost's long-ish bottom teeth at which point Ghost bled profusely. He and the assistant left the room stating they would clean her up with hydrogen peroxide.  At the time I thought he was trying not to upset my two kids as Ghost did look a bloodied and matted mess. When Ghost was returned, she was limping and seemed shell-shocked. The doc said she was stressed and would be fine.

Well, that was yesterday and now Ghost is declining rapidly. She drags her back paw, huddles in the corner and barely opens her eyes. We put a heating pad under the tank, are hand-feeding her applesauce, water and carrot peels. Pumpkin Pie seems to be an attentive cage mate -- she continues to groom, pile and nest with Ghost. 

Did she have a stroke after the clipping? Could the vet and the assistant have broken her leg by accident? When might we expect any signs of a turn around? The vet said Ghost bled so much because long teeth would have long arteries (I never trimmed our other gerbils' teeth, so I can't tell whether he was making do-do up or truly trying to explain). Has anyone ever had a gerbil die after a trimming? Could she survive a broken legs as long as she is fed and drinking water?  Is there anything else we should be doing for Ghost?

[leafwhisp]

I think I would avoid using this vet in the future, as it does sound suspicious, but for your teeth trimming problem, provide your gerbils with lots of wood and cardboard and there should be no need to trim.

Keep Pie with Ghost no matter what, Ghost will need comforting.

Try to find a new vet that knows more about small animals and get help asap.

sorry, I don't know about gerbil strokes.

[Fuzzies]

Thanks so much for your response. Unfortunately Ghost did not make it -- passed about an hour ago. My kids were comforted by your reply -- wish we had known about this site before.

Pie and Ghost were split caged from a male, Discord, the Ninja Gerbil, whom the breeder said should always remain without a cage mate. Guess we'll monitor if Pie and Discord are enough company through the screened split cage.

Anyway, much obliged for your sharing. Ghost was a pretty amazing gerbil -- friendly, loving, perky. She was named after John's direwolf for her coloring and seeming protectiveness and loyalty. Going to the vet was supposed to be just an extra caution -- we just wanted to make sure there wasn't any inner-ear problem or anything requiring antibiotics. Will definitely be letting the vet know what happened. Even if vet literally scared Ghost to death, he and his assistant should review their handling and treatment of her.

Rest-in-peace Ghost!

[Fuzzies]

Oh, by the way, cute photos. Our surviving female, Pumpkin Pie has Bolt's coloring.

[johanne]

I'm so sorry Ghost didn't make it. Unfortunately this sort of thing isn't at all uncommon. There's no reason a gerbil should bleed at all when teeth are clipped. The leg injury sounds like the poor dear was handled very roughly. Vets often don't have enough gerbil experience to handle them safely. In general it's a good idea to check with other experienced gerbil owners before risking a trip to the vet. Post pics and give a description and odds are someone will have experience with whatever the problem is. Sounds like she died needlessly. So sad.

I don't know that I would give up on Discord yet. Might still work out!

[leafwhisp]

Yes, finding a good gerbil vet I hard, I have not managed to find a great one, but one that I gentle and does their research first.

I hope all goes well with ur other gerbils, and I'm glad I helped.

[catnut]

soo sorry to hear about Ghost, may she rest in peace, I would definitely let the vet know and maybe report him to management about what happened, just ask at the front desk or call to explain what happened, poor Ghost. I would definitely not take other gerbils to this vet, they don't seem to know what they are doing. I just lost a gerbil to a tumour on Wed. so know how it feels to lose a sweet gerbil.

Take care,

Tammy

[Fuzzies]

Thanks, folks. Sorry to learn of your loss, Tammy. These gerbils are incredible creatures, aren't they? Really get to you.

[catnut]

thank you, even though Zena is my 16th gerbil, it doesn't get easier when they are ill. Gerbils have stolen my heart, just wish they lived longer ( I did have a sweet male, Polo who made it to 4 1/2!). Rescues you have for a shorter time but they still steal your heart.