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Post by thegerbilfamily on Aug 17, 2015 2:43:07 GMT -8
She is making a clicking noise so i assume it's a respiratory infection. Should I take her to the vet, or would I be able to get any antibiotics from a store or pet store?
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Post by betty on Aug 17, 2015 4:01:53 GMT -8
How old is she - as they make a clicking noise when they are teething as they tap their teeth together?
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Post by thegerbilfamily on Aug 17, 2015 4:52:14 GMT -8
She is just turning 4 weeks old tomorrow, her fur is ruffled and she isn't as lively as her siblings. I haven't heard clicking from the others, but then again I wasn't listening to them as much as the other one as she looks sickly.
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Post by betty on Aug 17, 2015 5:15:50 GMT -8
Well, four weeks they are starting to eat on their own then. Could you weigh her perhaps and her siblings if you want and then you can chart their weight gain over the next few days to make sure she is gaining ground.
Some pups just get behind in general size, and look a scruff but still gain weight overall. And when they swap onto grown-up food, some take a bit longer to adjust. Has the mum had a second litter in with them?
Also have you checked her teeth to make sure she has all of them at the front - just hold her between your thumb and finger in one hand and move her lips up with the other hand or a q-tip. She should have what looks like 2 on the top and two on the bottom - and they should all meet together.
If you are concerned that it is something more serious, then you should book he whole family in to see your nearest small animal vet for a health check - as if it IS an infection - they could all catch it of course.
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Post by eaturbyfill on Aug 17, 2015 6:25:14 GMT -8
I would take in the group to the vet if you are able. Depending on the situation, they may want to treat all gerbils preemptively to keep the infection from spreading or reoccurring. I would expect Baytril to be prescribed if it is indeed a respiratory infection, even though it is preferable not to give it to nursing or young animals.
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Post by Shooting Star on Aug 17, 2015 14:10:21 GMT -8
If she's clicking and has other signs of illness (ruffled fur, less lively), it's almost certainly an RI. You'll need antibiotics from the vet. Mine tends to use trimethoprim-sulfa.
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Post by thegerbilfamily on Aug 18, 2015 3:13:47 GMT -8
I took her to the vet. The vet said that since she's the runt she isn't as strong as the others and doesn't have a lot of antibodies in her. I was given antibiotics but she said that her lungs are filling up very quickly  . The vet told me that I have to force wean her and put the medicine in banana but she won't eat it. Is there anything else I can do? |
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Post by Shooting Star on Aug 18, 2015 4:31:20 GMT -8
Why on earth would you force wean a sick runt, and why not just give the meds via syringe?
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Post by thegerbilfamily on Aug 18, 2015 5:32:46 GMT -8
The vet told me to separate the runt as it will infect the others but I really think she needs her mother. I gave the wee guy the medicine using the syringe.
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Post by Shooting Star on Aug 18, 2015 6:49:56 GMT -8
Anything the sick pup had been exposed to, the rest of the pups already have been as well. There's no benefit to separating him.
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Post by thegerbilfamily on Aug 23, 2015 0:45:03 GMT -8
I am treating the whole litter including the parents as you said the rest do have the infection now. I'll let you know how they get on.
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. The vet told me that I have to force wean her and put the medicine in banana but she won't eat it. Is there anything else I can do?