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Post by panthershadow83 on Dec 21, 2004 18:28:06 GMT -8
Can gerbils get wet tail? Or is that only hamsters?
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Post by gerbilicious on Dec 21, 2004 18:32:21 GMT -8
Yes, gerbils can most certainly get wet tail. It's one of the leading causes in gerbil death.  |
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Post by panthershadow83 on Dec 21, 2004 18:39:30 GMT -8
Aww... poor guys!!
Isn't it true that it kills in 48 hours?
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Post by paws on Dec 22, 2004 0:01:12 GMT -8
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Post by doomgerbiluk on Dec 22, 2004 0:33:47 GMT -8
Wet tail is a common turn for any form of diarrhea in small animals especially hamster and gerbils.
Small animal quickly become dehydrated and die
soem forms of 'wet tail' liek Tyzzers and E-coli can kill very quickly anway
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Post by sandy on Dec 22, 2004 17:31:04 GMT -8
Although it is serious, diarrhea in gerbils does not automatically mean they will die in 2 days. Often it is from eating food that is too fresh and wet, like lettuce. I don't think gerbils need fresh food, as long as they are getting a good mix of seeds and small animal pellets (some also feed the commercial lab block).
If you are feeding fresh food, take it out. Give the tank a good cleaning with water that has a good slosh of bleach added, and preferably allow to dry in the sun. Provide fresh bedding, and some dry food and water.
Watch that your gerbil is able to get to the water and is not too weak. If it can't you will need to hydrate him by hand using a dropper or syringe.
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Post by doomgerbiluk on Dec 23, 2004 0:51:11 GMT -8
That is true Sandy
I think from what I've read that mainly applies to Tyzzers but correct me if I'm wrong.
Diarreah which spreads through a colony or/and kills quickly should always be checked out by a vet.
Diarreah which has an obvious cause (a change in food, too much wet food, should clear up very quickly) so if you eliminate any possible causes and the gerbil remains unwell after a few hours, again see a vet.
My point is 24 hours in human terms is not so long BUT in terms of a very tiny animal it is a VERY long time.
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Post by Ritzie/Admin on Dec 24, 2004 6:16:50 GMT -8
'Wettail' is a severe (life threatening) diarrhoea, extremely watery. They will have always a wet tail and anus, don't want to eat and are apathic. Indeed mostly caused by Tyzzer's and e-coli! If so than higly contagious and deadly!
Just 'normal' diarrhoea' is indeed mostly caused by too much moist in their food or bad food!
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