my gerbil got sick,need a help

[di]

Hi to everybody.I am new here and I am very glad to find this forum.
I have three male gerbils and in the morning I noticed that there was something wrong with one of them.He keeps his eyes shut,looks sleepy,doesn't move a lot.He comes to the water bowl,but doesn't drink,just stays there.I read similar posts,but I didn't really understand what to do in situation like this.
What I did.I went to the pet store and they adviced me:1)Beneficial bacteria and 2)tetracycline(I talked to two different persons).They said to give him water every hour.Now he is in his house next to the bottle of hot wate(to keep him warm).I try to give him water together with antibiotic(he doesn't like it,so we almost fight),but how often,does anybody know?Ah,I didn't go to vet,because I went once before,but my gerbil died two days after,though the vet said he was healthy!!!
I'll be very glad if somebody can help me!!!!!
And sorry for English,my native language is ukrainian.

[RyanF]

Get to a vet that treats small animals NOW. One of mine had the same symptoms and she recquired some antibioatics and turned out fine.

[di]

Thanks,RyanF,I am thinking about going to the vet,but it will be only tomorrow.I hope we will get through night...I just wonder what could couse that.
And about my last time visit-the vet said the jerbil was complitly healthy.So I just paid money...

[AndreaS15]

Does he have diarrhoea?
Is his coat look ruffled?
Is he sitting in a hunched position?
Is he eating?

I would call ALL the vet's in your area asking if they Treat small animals (I find most don't), Ask the Assistant/Receptionist how many rodents they see in a month just to check if they actually ever ahev treated a rodent before.

Keep the little guy warm, and hydrated like you allready are. I find apple sauce great to keep a gerbil hydrated (pure, no sugar) and give him extra protine, cat food works great. If you have dog food that's good to, or then stick to peanuts.

Good Luck, and I hope your little guy pulls through.