Respiratory infection?

[blackie]

I have a gerbil who seems to be in perfect health because he is eating and drinking right, and is active and keeps his fur clean, but I have been wondering if he has an allergy to soemthing or a cold/respiratory infection because of the strange sound he is making when he is sleeping, it souds like he has problems with his breathing. When I pick him up I don't hear any thing, it's only when he is lying in his nesting material and seems to be alseep. My apartment got a bit cold a few weeks ago because of cold weather. I tried to keep the temperature in the room constant so I have the heat on day and night, and it should be at least 20 degrees celsius. I just feel a bit worried. So what are the signs of a respiratory infection, and how do you know if its something serious? (It was not my oldest gerbil who had this problem)

[ashgerbil]

you will hear clicking in the chest and the gerbil will generally not look well ('fluffed up', weak and looking a bit miserable!)
a quick temperature change can cause respiratory infections, and if he has got a respiratory infection, you should take him to the vet
for an allergy, he might have some fur missing around his nose and it will look red (i think! ;D )

[meganb52]

I have a fairly extensive post about my recommendations for gerbils sick with respiratory infections in this thread. Check it out and scroll down to my post in the thread. It's probably way more overkill than what you're describing, but it gives an overview of what to do in a worst case scenario. If you have questions, feel free to post to me here or PM me.

-Megan