Youngster with a disability

[t1gg3er]

We've taken in a family consisting of mum, 2 girls & 3 boys from a local rescue (handed in after pet store mis-sexing resulted in babies).  One of the boys (Wonka) has a disability.  He was the runt of the litter and has a 'tilt'.  His neck twists to one side & he occasionally stumbles although I'm not sure whether that's just because he misjudges his distances due to not looking at things straight on.  

We'll be taking him to a vet we've found who has an exotic specialist as I want to understand (i) whether the problem is physical or neurological, (ii) whether it causes him pain & if there's any treatment or pain relief needed & (iii) how it will affect him long-term.  Although he's still a little smaller than his brothers, since bringing them home last night he's been the most active of the 3 running around, exploring, playing etc... 

Aside from anything the vet may recommend, I'm concerned about how gerbils deal with a member of the clan who is 'different' & whether his brothers may turn on him when they all grow up (they're 9 weeks now)?  I'd like to keep them all together but only if that won't pose a risk to Wonka.  I'm hoping they'll be fine with him as one of the others (Umpa & Lumpa) is likely to be the dominant?

Here's a pic of Wonka - not the best because he wouldn't stay in one place long enough to get a good one!

[betty]

So far I have had no problems with disabled gerbils and their tank mates, but that doesn't mean it doesn't happen of course.

I would personally leave him with his brothers for now or until you see any signs that suggest otherwise, and only then take him out. He will be alone either way in the end, but surely staying with his brothers will be the most likely environment to fit in; he already has his place and hopefully it will stay that way (once they settle in away from their mum if they weren't when you got them). If you are taking him out to split with another gerbil - then you need to be careful that he starts off as the submissive one and stays that way - so probably only going in with an older bolder one.

I had a gerbil who got ill (neurological) and started to head tilt - then to fall to the side, then she started rolling over sometimes - still 100% 'normal' gerbil behaviour though - nothing stopped her - she still thought she was just a normal gerbil.

[t1gg3er]

Thanks for that Betty. The boys were separated from the girls a week ago & all have been fine - they're all eating & drinking well etc...

I'd much prefer to leave him with his brothers. From what I've seen so far, one's a digger (or at least trying to be - still has a lot to learn!), one's a nester & Wonka just eats, plays then goes for a nap

It's great to hear your gerbil did so well. Hopefully this little guy will too.

[betty]

I also have a blind gerbil, who I was able to split to another older calmer gerbil when her mum died, and they have been inseparable since.

I haven't got my dates with me, but they must be clocking up a good year together now, if not more.

[jumpyspeedyrule]

Thats sad

[t1gg3er]

It's really only sad if they're in pain or suffering in some way. If they can live a happy life & be pain free then that's great. Wonka certainly seems happy enough. He's super friendly, really active & he's already figured out that if he goes & sits on the shelf & stares at me he'll get a mealworm or couple of sunflower hearts. Umpa & Lumpa are really sweet too but I'm trying to give Wonka extra to help him catch up in size.

I don't want to have favourites but this little guy has me wrapped around his teeny tiny little fingers