|
Post by calculandsverk on Dec 1, 2005 17:38:38 GMT -8
Hi, I noticed that this was covered before (via searches) but I'm just wondering:
One of my two gerbils (both more than a year old) jumped from my hand the other night onto the floor. He seemed fine at the time but now he's not putting weight on his left front leg. He still uses it to eat with, but he seems to not want to use it much. He's not squeaking or in much pain, as far as I can tell. But in the gerbil wheel, he runs but does not use his front left leg.
(I'm actually the fiancee of the gerbil-owner in question, but I'm very concerned for the little men and I have the internet).
Anyways, let us know what we should do! The vets are closed for the time being, and we're going to take the wheel out of the cage for the night, but if anyone has any suggestions/tips/etc. anything would be very appreciated. THANX~
|
|
|
Post by calculandsverk on Dec 1, 2005 20:17:36 GMT -8
same name different person:
I am the owner of the gerbil in question, and, I've been watching him for the past three hours. He is very friendly when I put my hand in the cage, he seems to be drinking and definitely eating as much as usual. He seems to be using his left paw, which seems to be injured, to eat and to chew, but not to run on.
I don't want to seem like I am over reacting, but I just want to hear an opinion about what is wrong with him THANKS
|
|
|
Post by AndreaS15 on Dec 1, 2005 20:30:53 GMT -8
It's probably sprained from the fall. I have delt with a few broken legs, and with some time to heal (no wheels) the gerbils usually recovers (fully) in a couple of weeks. I wouldn't be to worried, just keep an eye on him, and if it swells or his behaviour changes (no eating or drinking) then you may want to take him to a vet, otherwise I'm pretty sure he will be up to his old self in no time
|
|
|
Post by doomgerbiluk on Dec 1, 2005 23:51:57 GMT -8
Borken or sprained it will heal. do try to discourage energetic exercise (likek a wheel) but he needs some exercise for it to heal properly. Good luck.
|
|
|
Post by lizzy on Dec 2, 2005 9:42:22 GMT -8
I agree a broken leg should heal by itself within a couple of weeks.
I've worked in a pet store where they've taken a gerbil with a broken leg to the vet before and they did nothing, they won't prescribe pain meds etc because its too powerful.
|
|
|
Post by calculandsverk on Dec 4, 2005 1:49:40 GMT -8
good news. Rocky love is doing way better. He looks like he is putting some weight on his little injured paw, without any squeaking or signs of distress. Eating good (as usual)
Thanks for putting my mind at ease!
|
|
|
Post by AndreaS15 on Dec 5, 2005 12:53:33 GMT -8
That's great to hear! They are amazing little troopers gerbils are!
|
|
cinnycinnamon
Member
Rest In Peace Jack Black 02/17/06 to 05/30/09
Posts: 1,280
|
Post by cinnycinnamon on Jan 22, 2006 15:06:46 GMT -8
Instead of starting another thread about a foot/leg problem, I thought I would just post to this one. Hope you don't mind. Okay so like on Friday, I noticed that Squirt and Max had gotton into it again. This time, I immediately split tanked the situation. Well, that is once I went back to Petco to buy another 10 gallon tank and a few other things. At any rate, Squirt's left foot is very much swollen. And after reading up about how to take care of his foot, I'm just wondering if you guys think his foot looks broken or is it sprained? I've been giving him baytrl and applying ice to his foot. He's eating some and drinking alot, if that helps. Is there anything I shojld be doing to help his leg to heal? Here is a pic of his foot: Thanx for any advice or suggestions in advance!
|
|
|
Post by doomgerbiluk on Jan 22, 2006 15:16:08 GMT -8
lol nice male specimen there no you are doing everything necessary
|
|
cinnycinnamon
Member
Rest In Peace Jack Black 02/17/06 to 05/30/09
Posts: 1,280
|
Post by cinnycinnamon on Jan 22, 2006 16:09:57 GMT -8
;D hehehehehehe! Yeah, I thought about that after I posted it. He's all boy. Thanx Doom for answering!
How many times a day do you think I should do the ice on his foot? And is there any kind of extra protein I can give Squirt to help him to keep his strength up? He has not left the top tank at all this entire weekend. When this happened the last time and it was his arm that was swollen, he was at least climbing up and down the tube to get to the bottom tank. This time, he isn't moving much at all. Just hobbles around and will sometimes either lay in the food bowl with his back legs hanging down from it or go into little house to rest.
|
|
|
Post by doomgerbiluk on Jan 22, 2006 17:42:55 GMT -8
the ice is a one-off, I wouldn't repeat it. It will only stress him more. I've never put ice on a swollen [gerbil] foot myself. Stick with the ABs. As for food, a good balanced diet is enough. If you have any doubt about vitamin content supplements may boost. Possibly try a provitamin supplement when you finish with the ABs.
|
|
cinnycinnamon
Member
Rest In Peace Jack Black 02/17/06 to 05/30/09
Posts: 1,280
|
Post by cinnycinnamon on Jan 22, 2006 18:31:17 GMT -8
OKay Doom. Thanx!
I have since added a vitamin supplement to the water bottle and I hand fed Squirt because he wasn't eating. How long do you think I should keep him the antibiotics? So far, we've been givin it to him twice a day-about 0.03 cc's of the baytrl. At least he likes it.
|
|
|
Post by AndreaS15 on Jan 22, 2006 20:28:38 GMT -8
10 days is usually reccomended by the Vet. Jimmy had a similar problem, I had him on antibiotics for 10/12 days, iced his foot and applied antibiotic cream every evening, as it seems he had an infection it is as well, and the oral antibiotics were not helping much. He did not mind the ice, and I only did it on and off for 10 seconds or so. His leg is now healed up and he's fine.
|
|
cinnycinnamon
Member
Rest In Peace Jack Black 02/17/06 to 05/30/09
Posts: 1,280
|
Post by cinnycinnamon on Jan 23, 2006 2:43:44 GMT -8
What kind of antibiotic cream were you using?
|
|
|
Post by AndreaS15 on Jan 23, 2006 11:43:02 GMT -8
i have been using polysporn, don't have anything else. But it's worked great.
|
|