Temperament Changes Following Suspected Stroke

[Jess]

Hello! A few months ago I started taking care of a lone male gerbil who was previously unhandled. I've been handling him regularly and spending time with him while he free ranges in my gerbil proof hall and it did seem that we were starting to build up a good relationship- he even took to purring almost constantly when held!He has been introduced unsuccessfully to other gerbils in the past by his past owners and myself but it seems that he genuinely is 'that' rare gerbil character and the plan had been to aquire another grumpy loner to keep him company albeit in a permanent split.

Unfortunately a few days ago he had what I suspect was a stroke, despite the fact they he is only around a year old. He has recovered well but tires easily and is still slightly uncoordinated and has a little dribble from the corner of his mouth and a slightly droopy eyelid that comes and goes as well as a 'bent' ear on that side of his face. The most dramatic change has been in his personality. It seems as though we have gone 10 steps backwards as so the speak. He is afraid to the point of shrieking when I attempt to handle him and he has started nipping my boyfriend. He has also became very anxious and stamps and hides most frequently compared to before. Sometimes he flees when I talk to him softly.

I am worried about him. Could these changes be a direct effect of the stroke, related to insecurity over his new problems with coordination and balance etc or possibly a combination? Is there a chance my lovely gerbil boy might start to feel like his old self again? Thanks for reading and please respond!

[betty]

I don't know specifically about the stroke, but it is possible that neurological problems can change a personality either directly (change in outlook on life) or indirectly - like you say that he might be less confident now due to loss of sight/hearing/balance.

Also recently I had a poorly gerbil who was always handleable who in the last few hours before her passing became incredibly jumpy to touch, a bit squeaky and generally not herself. It isn't uncommon for gerbil to nip and squeak when they are in pain/discomfort either.

I would start again by picking him up in a container of sorts and emptying him out onto your lap at handling time and then hand over time and see if it is picking up part that is upsetting him or it is the whole people thing. This was always a great tip for sleepy and grumpy hamsters who would bite anything that came near them - but were fine once out and about.

Perhaps even to the extent of reducing the amount of stuff in his tank so you don't have to dig him out all the time just to see him. Just temporarily of course until you can build up his confidence again. If he appears more reclusive, more aggressive or more symptomatic, then perhaps, just leave him to be a very happy 'watch-only' gerbil and/or get him a quick health check at the vets for anything obvious that a vet will know to look for.

See how you go...

[Jess]

Thanks for advice! I'd completely forgotten but I did use a special 'gerbil jar' for a mother/daughter pair years and years ago and that did help so much in the beginning. I'm going to fish it out of the cupboard and hopefully he'll be happier jumping in there. He's a real mystery at the moment. Just a moment ago he sat beside me perfectly happy but of course that's a good thing! I might have to force myself to take some of his bedding out- I'll feel guilty but I just want him to be happy with me again like before. I've had gerbils who are less receptive to human company but while I respect that I do want him to trust me for practical reasons at least.