|
Post by lucy2 on Dec 7, 2005 5:21:46 GMT -8
Hiya I am sadly back at this forum with a sick gerbil. Rover is 2 and a half and comes from a litter that was unusually small and so regardless of how much we have tried to feed her up has stayed very small and skinny as have her litter mates ( I had three sisters). We have noticed that the last two days she has started to be a bit off her food, is drinking quite a bit, is fluffed up with sleepy eyes and is lethargic (not clicking at all). The vet has given her an injection of antibiotics to try but thinks she has kidney disease as she is looking a bit yellow and drinking quite a bit. Is there anything we can do to help Rover? We are going to the vet again tomorrow. I've read that apple and bread dipped in milk is good for sick gerbils but if she is already drinking well will that help or hinder? Many thanks for any advice, Lucy
|
|
|
Post by maxthegerbil on Dec 7, 2005 7:47:28 GMT -8
Hi Lucy. From what I know personally, excessive drinking can be a sign of kidney disease in gerbils and/or diabetes. Weight loss will be seen too. Your gerbil may also be urinating more and if you have noticed this, change the bedding regularly.
Gerbils over two years old may well show these symptoms and being small and thin in the first place can`t be of help to poor Rover. I also keep degus who are prone to diabetes, so have to be fed on guinea pig food/mix that is NOT sprayed with molasses. Also, try to avoid any sugars in the diet and this will include fruit sugars (sucrose). No raisins either!
Watch also the fat content of things like sunflower seeds and other things like peanuts. Only give these as a treat and not in the food mix. I can`t really add much more to help really. Good luck to Rover and please let us know how the wee one is doing?
|
|
|
Post by lucy2 on Dec 8, 2005 2:49:44 GMT -8
Hiya again Thanks for the advice Max. I've got her to eat a bit of milk dipped in bread every few hours and am keeping her warm. She seems a bit worse today though and her eyes have that red pus on them. She's going to the vet's again tonight so we shall see if they have anything more to say. I am curious about the guinea pig food though as Rover's sister Faith is small as well and could do with some feeding up so I will try that for her.
|
|
|
Post by maxthegerbil on Dec 8, 2005 7:22:26 GMT -8
Hi Lucy. Just wondering how Rover is today? The bread and milk at least gives her something soft and pallateable to nibble on. They usually just take a few bites, play with it in their paws and then drop it. But if she`s showing signs of eating and wanting to drink, either from her own bottle or from a dropper, then she`s at least fighting whatever is ailing her.
The red staining around her eyes could be porphyrin. I`ve kept rats in the past and they have what`s called a harderian gland behing the eye. This gland secretes this red porphytin either if the animal is under the weather, or the gland is blocked. I have no idea if gerbils have this gland behind the eye, but if they do, then this is what you are seeing. It`s NOT blood! So don`t panic if you see it. In rats, it trickles down through their noses aswell and when porphyrin hits the air, it turns this reddish colour.
On the guinea pig mix, again, I`m no expert as to whether a guinea pig mix can be fed to gerbils. It also has added vitamin c because guinea pigs can`t produce this vitamin. If you do some research and find out, make sure it`s a brand that has no molasses added or sprayed onto it in the manufacturing process. This is a sugar. So if Rover is diabetic, you would need to be careful about sugars and too high a fat content. Hamster mixes can be quite high in fat.
The guinea pig food I use is called Gerty Guinea Pig and is made by a company called Supreme. If you live in the UK, you should find it redily in your local pet outlet. But make sure it`s safe to give to gerbils first. Perhaps someone on the forum can help us with this?
Kepp up the good work and I`m sure Rover will pull through with warmth, good food and water and the companionship of Faith. x
|
|
|
Post by lucy2 on Dec 9, 2005 6:10:01 GMT -8
Hiya, Sadly when we took Rover to the vets again last night another vet examined her and found a mass. They said that they couldn't do anything to help her and said that the best thing was to put her to sleep. Many thanks for all your help, Lucy
|
|
|
Post by maxthegerbil on Dec 9, 2005 8:37:00 GMT -8
Oh Lucy that`s sad news. You tried so hard to find out what was ailing her only to be told there was nothing to be done to save her.
Rest in peace Rover. You were truly loved. x Thanks for letting us know what happened Lucy. I was glad to advise you anyway and it`s sad news that`s she`s had to be put to sleep.
|
|
|
Post by AndreaS15 on Dec 9, 2005 14:25:33 GMT -8
<hugs> Sorry to hear the bad news. You sure did alot to help her though! and i'm sure she knew that too, they always do. <hugs>
|
|
|
Post by meganb52 on Dec 11, 2005 13:54:10 GMT -8
I'm sorry to hear about Rover, Lucy. I wanted to expand a bit on the red 'pus' you were describing in her eyes: The red staining around her eyes could be porphyrin. I`ve kept rats in the past and they have what`s called a harderian gland behing the eye. This gland secretes this red porphytin either if the animal is under the weather, or the gland is blocked. I have no idea if gerbils have this gland behind the eye, but if they do, then this is what you are seeing. It`s NOT blood! So don`t panic if you see it. In rats, it trickles down through their noses aswell and when porphyrin hits the air, it turns this reddish colour. The reddish color seen in the secretions of the eyes and nose of gerbils is indeed porphyirn, a chemical secreted from teh harderian gland that turns a rust-colored red when exposed to air. It is indeed NOT blood, and you can remove it from the eyes by gently wiping it away with a warrm, damp cloth or tissue. Common reasons to see an increase in porphyrin production include allergies and upper respiratory infections. Again, I'm so sorry to hear about yuor littel gerbil. Feel better soon! -Megan
|
|