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Post by juliel on Apr 4, 2008 13:49:00 GMT -8
My gerbil amber is on Baytril 2.5% and she is getting 0.2ml once daily for nasal dermatitis. She has had it for 2 days now and is still getting much worse. Shes completely lathargic and greasy and ruffled and although she is still eating she is really small. I am getting really worried, how quickly should antibiotics help? and how quickly should she be getting better and should I take her to the vets tomorrow?  ? I will post pics after I eat some dinner  |
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Post by flibbletigibbet on Apr 4, 2008 13:53:13 GMT -8
Antibiotics aren't always helpful. I had a gerbil with sore nose and fortunately her antibiotics cleared it up, but nasal dermatitis doesn't necessarily mean a bacterial infection. If it isn't caused by bacteria, then obviously, the antibiotics aren't going to help.
When Curry had sore nose and I took her to the vet, he said stress can cause excessive excretion of red tears, which irritates the skin and leads to sore nose. Are your other gerbils picking on Amber? If they are, it may be best to separate her from the others. She could also be allergic to her bedding. What type of bedding do you use?
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Post by juliel on Apr 4, 2008 14:09:12 GMT -8
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Post by juliel on Apr 4, 2008 14:10:44 GMT -8
I posted in another thread but I had her on pine when it started but I have since switched to sand, I am positive its not bullying because her family are protecting her and trying to clean her and they have never been fighters.
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Post by sandy on Apr 4, 2008 18:30:15 GMT -8
I agree that antibiotics is not the answer but once you have started a course of treatment it is important to finish it so as not to give resistant bacteria a chance to take hold.
Some gerbils react that way to a change in bedding, and some react that way to stress, as mentioned. You should probably make sure her food is optimal, perhaps give a stick of very clean celery every day (for some reason this seems to help). Provide some softer food for awhile, it might be painful for her to eat right now. Give her extra food and let her eat what she likes.
It looks like it is clearing up, though, and probably will be ok in a week or so. It will take a bit longer for her missing fur to grow back.
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Post by juliel on Apr 5, 2008 5:18:28 GMT -8
I would never have thought of the celery I will get some while I am at work today. I have been giving her lots of sunflower seeds and milk soaked bread to try to bulk her up a bit and shes been eating lots but is still quite small but is gradually getting a bit bigger. Shes very spoiled at the moment  have been to the healthfood store and she now has a dish full of all her fav seeds, only problem is her mum and sis are eating them all too but figure its better for them to get a bit tubbier than her to be skinny, tried to feed her seperately but she wont eat unless she is in her tank to excited outside to eat . Will stop this when she is better. I have the vets again on Thu for a follow up so will see what he says then. |
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Post by buttersnrex on Apr 5, 2008 12:43:16 GMT -8
Humidity can sometimes make it worse, so I would set up dehumidifier. Sometimes when there is hair loss in an animal it looks uglier than it really is, it's great that you are taking her to the vet too! I'm not as educated in gerbils as I am in dogs and cats, but my experience with antibiotics is that sometimes it does get worse before it gets better. Good luck with Amber! |
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Vixen
Member
8 years of gerbil fun
Posts: 1,805
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Post by Vixen on Apr 5, 2008 13:57:24 GMT -8
I can't realy help, but wanted to say I hope she gets better soon as it dose look sore.
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Post by juliel on Apr 6, 2008 5:58:06 GMT -8
Thanks for your comments I am starting to reconsider whether she could be stressed from dominiance issues. I had her and her mum Chloe out in the pen and they were boxing and grooming and trying to hump each other, they did this maybe 3 times, this morning they were doing it in their tank too. Do you think I should take her out to give her a chance to heal, or would this cause more damage? Dont know what to do for best  |
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Post by juliel on Apr 7, 2008 3:33:17 GMT -8
Good News Ambers nose is still all bald but she is full of energy again Last night she was having a good run and was back to her usual self, im hoping thats her turned a corner :> |
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Post by buttersnrex on Apr 7, 2008 11:39:43 GMT -8
aww yay for Amber!!
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Post by juliel on Apr 10, 2008 15:26:23 GMT -8
Just a update, Amber had her follow up at the vet tonight and she has been given the all clear still have to give her antibiotics for a week but shes doing great Also I bought megazorb for their tank as the sand was just too smelly, it was £5 then £4 for delivery, I was expecting a medium sized bag but when the delivery arrived it was a huge sack  Should last them for ages!! Always great when you get something better than you expect, so far they are enjoying it and have been making their burrows |
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have been to the healthfood store and she now has a dish full of all her fav seeds, only problem is her mum and sis are eating them all too but figure its better for them to get a bit tubbier than her to be skinny, tried to feed her seperately but she wont eat unless she is in her tank to excited outside to eat 
Should last them for ages!! Always great when you get something better than you expect, so far they are enjoying it and have been making their burrows