gerbils front paw | The Gerbil Forum

dangermouse2005
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gerbils front paw Jun 29, 2005 5:00:16 GMT -8

Post by dangermouse2005 on Jun 29, 2005 5:00:16 GMT -8

one of my gerbil pups -well is now like 8 weeks or older eye never opened but is doing fine with one eye,but latley ive noticed now his front paw on the same side his wee eye is closed isnt working its like its jst hanging there -he cant use it but jst looks like hes getting on with it-doesnt look like hes in pain -jst wondered if it might be sonmething to do with that one side of him?

i love him to bits hes my wee lamb~!
he seems fine apart from that-a bit timid but thats to be expected!

hes so funny jumps around 360 circles when hes playing!

anyways do u think hes okay-and not in pain?

sandy
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gerbils front paw Jun 29, 2005 9:39:41 GMT -8

Post by sandy on Jun 29, 2005 9:39:41 GMT -8

Unfortunately these are common birth defects in gerbils, probably the result of inbreeding. The paw is either a birth defect of a fixed paw, or he broke his arm and it will not move until it heals up. Time will tell. The only other possible explanation is, was he in a fight and got both paw and eye injured? If so they will heal up soon. If they persist, they are birth defects.

callimico
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gerbils front paw Jun 29, 2005 10:51:48 GMT -8

Post by callimico on Jun 29, 2005 10:51:48 GMT -8

I'm basically repeating what Sandy said

Yes, missing eyes, or eyes that are developed but never open are common results of inbreeding (and locked paw/fixed paw), along with greater risk of allergies to bedding and more suseptibility to RI. Is their a chance his parents are related? If it's not from an injury he shouldn't be in pain, gerbils rely more on feel and sound hten sight, so it won't slow him down much. Did he have a fixed paw from birth? I bet he has quite the personality though ;D

dangermouse2005
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gerbils front paw Jun 30, 2005 13:04:12 GMT -8

Post by dangermouse2005 on Jun 30, 2005 13:04:12 GMT -8

well its hard to tell-he never had both eyes..but i only noticing it now since hes got bigger ,im sure his paw moved before!! its jst cos its on the same side as his head with the eye that neevr developed!

i got the gerbils from alocal small pet shop both mum and dad were in same tank-so wee lamb as i call him and my other geril speedy are the result so i now have 4 gerbils! (and 2 new pups)speedys perfect its jst wee lamb-but am sure his paw wasnt always like that! and he gets on with all the gerbils so i dont no!

i love him to bits hes so funny i jst worry hes in pain !