Gerbil with soft stools/Diarrhoea??

[fluffylovey]

Hi,
My 2 1/2 year old male gerbil Watson has recently developed some soft (best described as slightly wet, pale and squashy) stools. I first noticed them Friday evening (it's now Sunday afternoon) when he had unfortunately left one on the coat of his partner gerbil Sherlock!
As far as I can read, diarrhoea in gerbils is pretty serious, but it has been over 48 hours since signs appeared and he seems well in himself, drinking and eating normally (and still very keen on treats so his appetite isn't affected). Sherlock also has absolutely no symptoms and I have been checking his rear to check but nothing has shown up.
I have been away this week and my mum has been watching them for me, and I'm not sure what she has given them in terms of treat side food but I know she gave them broccoli and I know she fairly regularly gives them both pumpkin seeds (which I have told her off about but she wont listen to me).
It is possible Watson has just had too many treats/greens? He is the dominant Gerbil and has been know to steal off Sherlock when he's finished before him.
I've also skin-tented and he doesn't appear to be dehydrated (he is drinking as normal as well). I heard it may be Tyzzer's disease but there are definitely no Mice in the house and Sherlock hasn't been affected at all (plus it's been too long with Watson being well in himself to be tyzzer's) so... I'm honestly a bit lost!
Any thoughts?

[betty]

Well, definitely too much veg can produce soft stools for a short time after eating, as can too many treats or a new food (or too hot or stressed can do the same) but over 48 hours (with no more veg/stress/heat) that should have cleared that up.

If all else is still correct (he is happy, healthy and hungry) then I would perhaps reduce their food volume for a whole day and no veg (or similar) for 2 days. If it hasn't firmed up by then or his isn't one of the 3 H's, then perhaps a trip to the vets for him could be in order just to check all is well 'behind the scenes' (you can't see inside them unfortunately).

Perhaps you could reduce their bedding temporarily or put in a sheet of card or something that they will poo on and so you will be able to see problem poos much easier without having to handle them all the time.

Hope it clears up soon...

[fluffylovey]

Hi, I'm afraid a week after I made this post Watson sadly died... I'll make a new thread because the circumstances of his death are so bizarre that I don't know what even happened

[betty]

I'm sorry to hear that, it is always a shame when you lose one so suddenly.