my gerbils very poorly

[kim]

Hi this is the second time he has been really poorly as he also had a similar spell like this a couple of months ago but recovered but this time he seems worse... for the last couple of days my male gerbil Skully hasn't been able to move much he is very fatigued and his eyes are a bit squinted (although he does open them fully every now and again) he isn't eating solid foods but he his taking baby food and water we are giving him (sometimes he eats it off a spoon but other times he prefers a syringe) he's eyes are filling up with so much red gunk its turning the whits of his eyes red. he's just staying in his hideaway sleeping or in my lap wrapped in a blanket. he sometimes finds a little energy a walks for a few seconds but then looks like he suddenly looses it again and kind of falls over. 
We also lost his brother to what I believe was a major stroke just 3 weeks ago and I'm worried I'm going to loose him to
we have introduced him to a couple of young gerbils 2 weeks ago to but there currently not paying him much attention.
has anyone else experienced anything similar with there gerbil? I'm also thinking of taking him to the vets tomorrow (I have an exotics specialist near ish to me) do you think this is a good idea and what sort of things could they do to help?


any help. thanks 

[PurpleSheep]

I would definitely take himself to the vets, they may be able to tell what is causing it, eg if he has an infection,and give you medication. He may also be in pain if he is not moving much, so the vet could give him painkillers.

Other than that, unfortunately there is not much else you can do. It sounds like you are doing the right things already with keeping him warm and giving him food that's easy to eat. I would keep him with his cagemates unless they start picking on him, as removing him may add more stress and you'll likely also struggle to reintroduce them later if you separate them now.

Hope Skully gets better soon!

[catnut]

sorry to hear about Skully not feeling well, just keep him warm and get him to eat/drink as much as he can- I would definatley take him to the vets to be checked over. How old is he?

Thinking good thoughts for Skully. take care, Tammy

[kim]

thank you both. i have got a vets appointment for him this afternoon. he is about 2 years and 8 months old.

[catnut]

hope the vet can help Skully out and he will be okay.

[kim]

Hi, just thought I would leave an update, the result from the vets was that he probably had a mass on his brain and possibly one in his stomach. the vet gave him a steroid injection to see if it help bring the mass down and also fluids as he was very dehydrated. unfortunately though this did not help him and he died the next day. I think he may have had a seizer as he started vibrating but cannot confirm this he is now back with his brother though and no longer suffering but I miss them both hugely.

[PurpleSheep]

So sorry to hear that, RIP Skully

[catnut]

so sorry to hear, RIP Skully, I'm sure he is happy with his brother again.

[betty]

So sad, seeing as he had his new little friends...

They just aren't with us long enough.