OH NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[caz]

YEH !!!!! Sending 'get better soon' gerbil vibes your way.........
Caroline

[pepandmax]

Ok, update. I'm almost positive that they're going to make it.

When I got home from work yesterday, Tad had passed a half dozen very large pieces of nasty intestinal gunk. I can't believe those big things came out of him! They were twice as large as regular poops. Poor little guy! No wonder he was waddling around with a sore lower half.

At this point, they both are able to rest comfortably. They have some pep when they're up, but they tire very easily and spend most of their time stretched out and lounging in the corner with the heating pad.

Their eyes are bright again and no longer sunked back into their heads, so I'm no longer giving him the sub-q fluid shots.

Although they're eating and drinking voluntarily, they don't seem to be eating very much. I'm going to give them 1 mL Ensure this afternoon, which they probably won't like, but then a little later I'll give them a pea and two sunflower seeds and I know they'll love that.

They're still getting their antibiotics and will for the next week. Greg & I have found a vet student who was formerly an intern in the Exotics ward at our local animal hospital to take them for the weekend. She'll be able to give them their medicine and to keep an eye on them.

Here's an important question: what's the incubation period for the average gerbil germ? Hours? Days? Weeks?

I'm a bit worried that the big boys or The Girl will fall sick while we're away. Greg's mom is looking in on them Friday and Monday (we leave Thursday am and come back Tuesday pm), but they'll be alone for the weekend.

Ok guess that's it. Probably more details than you wanted to know!

[caz]

Fantastic News that the little ones are doing good! ;D
I'm sure they'll ALL be fine while your away, looks like you have everything under control!
Enjoy your break and try not to worry TOO much!
Caroline

[Mud Pony]

Germ, microbe incubation periods vary from type to type. there is no way to rally pin point that unless you know the exact germ, and if it mutates well then it's still a guessing game.

It could have also been a microbe that normally lives in gerbil bodies that for whatever reason got out ouf control and these terrible sicknesses occur. They are called oppertunistic bacteria. and we (humans) have them too. Like Staph and such. We all have it but when the balance of our bodies gets out of whack, it takes over. There is almost no way to tell you what might have caused it.

It's why even in us a good balanced diet is so imporatant.

Seeing that all your lil guys went down pretty quickly I would say that this one did it's damage fast... in a 24 to 36 hour period.

You did great on practacing cleanliness, just keep up that good work & keep your eyes on them. No telling how it ever got there. It was something new evidentally cuz they had no immunity to it. Obviously.

I think you'll be alright

[RW]

Wow, great to hear your boys are on the mend!

RW

[vic]

Glad to hear the good news!

- My thoughts are with your gerbies! - Good luck,

vic.

[pepandmax]

Even though it's been almost two weeks since they fell ill, they're not quite back to normal yet. They are comfortable, eating, drinking, and getting some exercise on the wheel, but they spend more time sleeping and resting than they did before. They seem to be in a "holding pattern"--no improvements, but certainly no deterioration.

They're back in their quarantine place and they're staying there for another two weeks, minimum. I've been especially careful about cleaning and disinfecting their tank, water bottle, food bowl, and toys, in case there are any latent germs kicking around.

Who knows, maybe they'll never "fully" recover, but as long as they are comfortable and are enjoying their lives, it doesn't really matter. I'm not breeding them. Maybe they won't live as long because of this, but I'll make sure they have good full lives

So that's the story. No new updates unless something else happens (for better or worse).

P.S. None of the other gerbils got sick.
P.P.S. I'm glad that it wasn't a fight that killed Red. I'm also glad that he died right away without suffering. It would have really bothered me if Tad or Fox had suffered for a few days before passing away, you know? Because all of the suffering would have been for nothing.
P.P.P.S. I feel like Red would have been pleased that we tried so hard to save his brothers.

[caz]

Hi Pep,

Glad the little fellas are doing OK even if they're still a little out of sorts
They've probably been missing their mum!
Caroline

[Coco]

Hello pepandmax, I have been following your story and even if now your gerbils have had no improvements it's good to hear that at least they are stable.

You have been an amazing owner, I'm always surprised with your posts and the things you do for your gerbils, not only Red would be pleased with all the things you did for Fox and Tad, any living creature would be .

[AndreaS15]

It's really great to hear they are doing better.
These are some lucky gerbils to have such caring parents!

[roo]

I totally agree. You're an amazing pet owner, your compassion is outstanding! I'm really glad to hear that the little guys seem to be okay, even if their recovery seems to have slowed down. I'm sure with you as their mum they'll be right as rain in no time at all.
Well done for handling the situation so well. Can you come and look after me next time I'm sick, please?...