Unfortunate Gerbil Accident (Serious Fighting)

[Ben]

Hey all.

I've a terrible accident that I'm to blame for and feel bad enoguh about it as it is... but if there is something I can do to help amend my wrongdoings, this is a start.

Basically,, I was changing the water bottles last night, one of my other Gerbils escaped and got into one of the others aquariums - unbeknown to me.

I only discovered this morning when I saw her (escappe) dragging her back feet around, bloodied around the rear end and dragging herself around the aquarium. Needless to say, I immedietely removed her and have quarantined her for the time being, but am at odds with what to do now. The other gerbil involved has minor scratches below her eyes but nothing too major.

The gerbil in question however, has a bloodied rear end, a bloodied tail and is dragging BOTH her back legs around at the moment so obviously she is my main concern.

I'm not sure if there is much I can do for her at the moment. She doesn't look to be that distressed at the moment, and I have since taken her out of quarantine and returned her to her original cage where she was in the company of three of her babies and her partner.

This is my first inicident I've had like this, and very upset that I'm pretty much helpless to do anything. This is so unfortunate and I feel really bad about it.

Is there anything I can do to help? Vet's round here are not open - and, whilst she doesn't seem to upset herself and is trying to carry on as normal, I can't help but worry.

Thanks in advance.

Ben

[Ritzie/Admin]

Gerbils are tough animals! As you cannot visit a vet the only thing you can do is to give her rest is a cage with a lot of nesting materials, nice and warm. And of course enough food and water. Make sure she can reach it easy!

Can't she move her hindlegs anymore? Maybe because it hurts otherwise, or more seriously injured. Does she have deep wounds?

When she is not improving, you should definatelly see a vet. The vet cannot do much either, but can stitch deep wounds and can give antibiotics to prevent infections.

Small wounds will normally heal very good and by themselves!

[Ben]

Hello,

Thanks for the reply.

She's not moving her hind legs, just dragging them at the moment, but at times, she does try and use them, and if my eyes are not mistaking me, they are "working" a little.

She looks to have a lot of blood around her rear, and a bit on her tail, and I haven't been able to see the extent of the injuries to her rear as I've only had a short look as I didn't want to distress her too much.

I am pinning alot of my hope on how tough Gerbils are - I know they are hardy little souls, and I'm hoping she recovers soon - but I'm keeping a eye on her.

The wounds as far as I can see are not deep - she has little bites on her hind legs I think, like little 'dots' but I'm not sure how deep the wounds are around her rear.

I've moved the drinks bottle down a couple of notches and closer to the nest so it's easier for her to reach and at the moment she's in the nest resting. Fingers crossed she's OK.

She's in there with her partner and her young 'uns, and they have paid her some attention so far which is also heartening to see.

The other gerbil involved seems to have a couple of minor wounds on the side of her cheeks under her eyes and one on the back of her neck, but apart from that, she seems her normal self but I'll keep watching her too.

Thanks again, and if there is any more advice I'd be so grateful.

Ben

[doomgerbiluk]

It sounds as though she has some movement in her back legs which is heartening.
As long as she is kept qarma nd quiet she ahs a good chance. Her family will help. You coudl try additional vitamins or probiotics to boost her system.
The biggest risk, other than more serious injuries you can't see, is infection. If their is any sign of infection see a vet asap for antibiotics.
Good luck.

[lizzy]

My Sassy got a badly injured nose through fighting. I used teatree oil/spray available from Pets at home - this probably doesn't help you but it worked wonders. It doesn't quite compare to the injury you have with yours, but I know that what I used is very good at preventing infection.

Hope shes okay

[Ben]

Hi Again, and thanks for the kind words and advice - it means alot.

She appears to be using her back legs again - not for anything strenuous like standing on them, but is walking or rather, crawling on them now.

I put her in the bathroom for some piece and quiet, but now she's back in my room so I guess I can keep an even closer eye on her.

I've just been watching her and although she is still bloodied around the rear and tail area (she is white so it shows somewhat), she looks to of perked up somewhat and is attempting to carry on as she would if she wasn't injured.

It's making me feel alot better since it was my irresponsible behaviour by leaving the cage door open that led to her injuries.

Here's hoping.

Ben

[Ben]

One quick question - what signs am I looking out for if there is indeed an infection?

Thanks

Ben

[Ben]

***UPDATE***

She's using her back legs now - not to full effect, but she's standing on them properly (although it looks as if they are not at full strength) and she is at least not dragging them now - she gallops instead.

One thing I've noticed is she is breathing very fast - she looks a bit worried, if you like.

She's still bloodied, although I can see its dried and there is also a wound below her mouth (which I cannot fully see the extent of.) I will leave it a while before I attempt to look or possibly clean the wounds so as I don't upset her or frighten her. Poor girl.

I've just given her some food and changed the water - I'm retiring for the night now myself, and I'll see how she is in the morning.

Regards,

Ben

[meganb52]

Hi ben--

Glad to hear your gerb is doing better. My guess as to what happened is that someime during the fight, either some of the nerves in her legs or the tissure around them was injured. When tissue gets injured, it starts to swell. if it got swollen enough, it could pinch the nerves and cause temporary paralysis to that area of her body. If there was some damage to the nerves, sometimes the body is able to heal nerves depending on the amount of damage done. Things you should look for with infection include: lethargy, redness/swelling around the bite wounds, any type of drainage coming from the wounds (pus, excessive blood) It's very good that you've been keeping her quiet and handling her minimally. On a white gerbil like that (well, on any gerbil for that matter), a little hydrogen peroxide on a cotton ball gently wiped on her fur will take most of the bloodstains off and allow you to better monitor her wounds. When she breathes fast, do you hear a "clicking" sound? If so, she probably has a respiratory infection and should see a vet immediately. If not, it may just be a sign of stress (nad its obvious her body is under some stress after an incodent like this ) and you should watch her behavior closely for any changes. You can use things like neosporin ointment (not cream) on these guys, but if you do, apply a small amount just to the site of the wound, then don't let the gerbil groom it off for at least 5-10 minutes. I would then wipe the excess off. If they do ingest a little, I think it'll be OK, but the stuff isn't intended to be used orally. Keep us updated on your little one's progress; I'm glad to hear she's feeling better!!

-Megan
3rd year veterinary student