I think mine is ill?

[fluffy501]

It has looked unwell since Saturday, its eyes look different and she won't come out of the bed for long, looks either unwell or in pain and is very reluctant to come near my hand which isn't like her. Is still eating though (which is good) but doesn't seem to be getting up much at all

[betty]

How old is she and what's her name?

Has anything around her changed or been different lately, like new bedding, new food, new cleaner, new room?

[fluffy501]

3 years old, her sister died at Christmas but she has seemed happy lately so I don't think she's depressed
No nothing has changed. But I have a 6 month old living in a cage next to her since that makes her a bit jumpy sometimes but they don't notice each other much

I did give her some new food actually along with normal food but it is a proper gerbil food so I wouldn't have thought it made her ill. Would she avoid my hand if she was ill? She seems kind of jumpy as well as a bit unwell

[betty]

3 years old is quite old anyway for gerbils, so it may be that she is just slowing down a bit in general. And I agree that the different gerbil food mixed in with her old food wouldn't have been a problem.

Does she walk differently or move in an unusual way for you to think she is in pain?

Also, did you originally buy the single 6-month old for her to split together and it didn't work out or are you still planning to try?

She could have become 'jumpy' because of a sight or hearing problem, so things that she can't see are close by suddenly appear or make a noise. I suppose it would be like you were standing in what you thought was an empty open space and suddenly you heard a person shout behind you or you felt something touch your leg? It can make animals appear less active and more timid as they don't trust their surroundings anymore.

[fluffy501]

No she doesn't seem to be moving differently and she can still move quite quickly. Just isn't coming out of the bed much. Just something about her eyes look like she's feeling different and she seems a bit jumpy/fragile. Would a sight or hearing problem have come on so suddenly? Maybe that is why her eyes look different

Yes I got the 6 month specifically to try and put them together, but it didnt work. I'm not really planning on trying again as I don't think it will work

[fluffy501]

Also if it is sight problem will she get used it? How long will it take her to come out of her bed again and near me? I am hardly seeing her

[fluffy501]

Sorry for posting three times but I don't think it's eyesight, i just got her out to examine eyes look fine but she looks small because has not been going to get food apart from the pieces I put next to the bed. Fur loojs untidy/ ruffled. Is very grabby at peas so does still have appetite and is eating.

What could be wrong?

[betty]

Well, unless you can post a video of her 'looking different' I'm not sure anyone on here can help much more than to say - take her to the vets for a check over.

It is difficult to gauge someone else's pets behaviour based on what you already know of her as we don't see here everyday like you.

If it is sight - she will probably get used to it - I have a blind gerbil who is just fine - but each gerbil is different.

If it is a number of other old-age related things, then you could always follow the standard 'care' procedure by keeping her warm and as un-disturbed as possible so she doesn't get stressed and keep moving around worried about things. Bring all her food and water right down to where she normally sleeps so that she doesn't have to expend any energy just getting to her energy source - and change the energy source to something totally nutritious and easy to chew and digest like sunflower hearts, peanuts, egg/egg biscuits, kitten/puppy milk formula or critical care mix from your vets.

Make her life totally cushy and cosy for a while and see if there is any improvement.

[fluffy501]

I found this below description on the forum, I think it's this. I got closer today and could hear a clicking. What should I do? And is it serious or will she get over it?

(Sick gerbils are lethargic, with a rumpled coat and labored breathing. There is a characteristic “clicking” sound as the gerbil breathes, caused by fluid in the respiratory tract)

[catnut]

if she is clicking, it could be a respiratory illness which needs antibiotics which you can only get from a vet. She won't get better on her own and it could turn into pneumonia. Make sure she is eating/drinking as well.

[fluffy501]

What about her age though? She is about 3 years old, is there a lot hope antibiotics will work even with her age?

[jgl]

You should still take her to a vet no matter how old she is, then you can consult with the vet about the best course of action (which could be doing nothing).

[fluffy501]

Just don't want to cause unnecessary stress by travelling if nothing can be done

[betty]

Unfortunately you won't know yourself whether or not anything can be done, and noone on here is a vet who has seen your gerbil either so we are really only offering you the best advice we can - which is see an expert.

If you decide that taking her to the vets isn't what you want to do as she doesn't look like she is in pain to you, then that is your choice. Only you can see her and know whether she looks uncomfortable or in pain.

jgl is right that an animal at any age should go see a vet if they are ill. I currently have a 3 year old gerbil of my own who's behaviour has changed considerably which indicates to me that she is in discomfort otherwise she wouldn't act so differently. I have just booked her in for a check up and I shall be taking her tank-mate to the vets with her for company while she is checked over.

A trip to the vets could be a little bit stressful for her, but when it comes to my little ones I always think that a short drive for an answer is always better than a long time getting worse at home.

And an answer can help YOU relax at home too. If you are anything like me you are checking on her all the time and watching her for more signs of illness or improvement.

[fluffy501]

I think I will leave her for now, I think she seemed a bit better today. She is still getting up, eating drinking and having a go at cardboard but it seems she goes back to bed after a few minutes.