Emergency. PLEASE HELP.

[crazycritter]

One of my retired gerbils, Clyde, isn't feeling well. He is very tipsy and he walks around in circles a lot with his ear towards the ground. I know this signifies an inner ear infection, and with any other gerbil, I would take it to the vet, but clyde is 6 years old. Within the past couple of weeks, he has been losing weight, and although he remained relativley active and seemingly healthy, he is an old man, and he's just wasting away a bit. The last time I took such an old gerbil to the vet (to get put to sleep) he had a heart attack on the way there. It was very brutal. I would have much rather of had him die in his cage with his mate.

I don't knwo what to do for poor clyde. I want to take him to the vet, but even taking him out of his cage to be held made him freak out a bit. I don't want to chance taking him in, for fear of him not making it there.

What should I do? Please help!

To see a video of him walking in circles, to get a better idea of what's wrong with him, go here:

Need Quicktime
home.ripway.com/2004-10/187541/clyde.MOV

[crazycritter]

He also may have had a stroke, as he isn't scratching at his ear.

[doomgerbiluk]

Sounds liek a classic ear problem
the clip didn't work btw
see the health section on www.gerbils.co.uk
Drunk had this a few weeks ago and has recovered well although he still has a slight head tilt
(poor soul now has an (unrelated) scent gland tumour )

[sweetie]

I would say if he is 6, go with your instincts. I am sure you are more in tune with your gerbil. You might want to prepare yourself and make sure he is comfortable!! Enjoy your time for time is a precious gift.

[queenofthenile]

Poor Clyde. Hopefully he has a bit more time left and has a peaceful end. Make sure he has lots of tp rolls and facial tissue to shred! If he seems unresponsive, place a hot water bottle under one end of the tank to keep him warm.

[pixytwinkle]

if it was me i would keep him at home and make his passing away as comfortable as possible. Taking him to the vet would probably be too stresful and then he may die in unfamiliar surrounding s and be very affraid. Try and make him as comfortable as possible.
I am really sorry about this you must be so upset as you have had him for a long time.
6 years old is a really good age for a gerbil so you should be proud ;D

[paws]

I'm so sorry! In a previous post, you were talking about him being 5, and how he couldn't jump anymore. He has done well since then though! give him some special sunflower seeds as a special treat, and some extra attention. Hopefully he will get better. If not, remember him at his best!

[crazycritter]

pixytwinkle said:

if it was me i would keep him at home and make his passing away as comfortable as possible. Taking him to the vet would probably be too stresful and then he may die in unfamiliar surrounding s and be very affraid. Try and make him as comfortable as possible.
I am really sorry about this you must be so upset as you have had him for a long time.
6 years old is a really good age for a gerbil so you should be proud ;D

Yeah, I've decided not to take him to the vet and let him pass at home, where he's happy, with his mate.

He is sleeping in his coconut right now, but earlier he chewed up a whole toilet paper roll. He doesn't seem like he's in pain.

[doomgerbiluk]

I think you have made the right decsion
be prepared to change it if he starts to suffer pain or distress, at which time it may be best to consider having him pts (never easy I know) but I hope you have some happy days with him still to come and he has a peaceful and comfortable end.

[Ritzie/Admin]

Sorry to hear that he is not doing well! If he is in no pain, I would let him stay home too! 6 year...!!! That is amazing old for a gerbil! But when he seems to have pain I would bring him to a vet.