Urgent! young gerbil seizure | The Gerbil Forum

hannibal
Member

Posts: 59

Urgent! young gerbil seizure Nov 14, 2015 11:27:27 GMT -8

Quote

Post by hannibal on Nov 14, 2015 11:27:27 GMT -8

Hello again
I have written before about one of my gerbil pups that had some sort of fit, today it was even worse.
I was feeding them live mealworms when all of a sudden she started looking like she was in pain, and then she fell on her back writhing and looking like she was screaming, It looked like she had been hurt. Then she was sitting still but making jumpy movements, and she just sat still for about 10 minutes, she didn't even object when I picked her up to check for any signs of what happened.
Has anyone ever experienced anything like this? or do you know what it might be, I've never experienced anything like this before and I'm quite terrified.

catnut
Helper

Posts: 2,904

Urgent! young gerbil seizure Nov 14, 2015 16:15:20 GMT -8

Quote

Post by catnut on Nov 14, 2015 16:15:20 GMT -8

Do you have a good vet who may be able to check her out? I would be worried too but have only had a gerbil who froze and would get very stressed/breath heavy when moved around or touched. Just a guess but maybe it's something to do with even a stroke/brain issue? Is she able to eat/drink okay? Poor little thing.

Take care

mom to Sierra, RIP Saphira and Sophie, may you both be together forever in heaven, I miss you more than you'd ever know. RIP Theo, I miss you my sweet boy. RIP Kirby, you were a great buddy. RIP Tristan, can't believe you are gone forever.

betty
Global Moderator

Posts: 5,624

Urgent! young gerbil seizure Nov 15, 2015 1:18:44 GMT -8

Quote

Post by betty on Nov 15, 2015 1:18:44 GMT -8

Yes. You should read on old threads on this forum about seizures in gerbils as well as other sites on the internet to get you head around the subject and learn everything you can about it for your own piece of mind.

Whether or not you go to a vet this time is up to you, and they should be the most gerbily one you can get too, but if you think your gerbil has injured herself then please do incase she could be more comfortable on medication temporarily.

t1gg3er
Member

Posts: 363

Urgent! young gerbil seizure Nov 15, 2015 8:34:55 GMT -8

Quote

Post by t1gg3er on Nov 15, 2015 8:34:55 GMT -8

I do hope she's ok.

My only thought is that the 1st time it happened you were feeding them moth worms (?) & this time meal worms. Could it be the scent of the worms that triggered the seizures (I know in humans with epilepsy certain smells can sometimes be a trigger) or could it even be she gets too excited about the food & that triggers it?

hannibal
Member

Posts: 59

Urgent! young gerbil seizure Nov 15, 2015 11:07:57 GMT -8 t1gg3er likes this

Quote

Post by hannibal on Nov 15, 2015 11:07:57 GMT -8

We called the vet, she said to mark the affected gerbil which we did, and then keep and eye on her. If she has another seizure we should call her again, but most likely it is just one of these unexplained seizures that happens once in a while, and if she is acting normal after, I shouldn't worry.
Thanks for all the replies, we are keeping an eye on her to make sure she is OK