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Post by ashleyrenee on Dec 29, 2005 17:21:21 GMT -8
Hello. i took my gerbils out today and i noticed that my gerbil missy has her head like tilted to the left and it looks like she stays that way. i dotn know wats wrong with her. should i be concerned. i mean it just looks like a ordinary head tilt but thats hte only way her head goes. i checked her head to see if it would any but i cant find anything wrong.i moved her head a lil to the other side but didnt look like it bothered her at all no sqeak of pain or nothing. im very concerned. her other pal zorro is fine. nothing wrong with him at all. it just looks like she is going sideways a lil sometimes. i scares me a lil bit. would any one please tell me wat this could be. please reply back thanks alot
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cinnycinnamon
Member
Rest In Peace Jack Black 02/17/06 to 05/30/09
Posts: 1,280
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Post by cinnycinnamon on Dec 29, 2005 18:20:08 GMT -8
Hi Ashley!
So you just noticed her head tilting today? Is she eating? It could be that she might have an ear infection or possibly a stoke. I dunno what else to tell you other than you might want to take her to the vet so she can be properly dianosed.
I'm sure there are other members here who are more able to help answer your question better than me. Please keep us posted about Missy, okay?
(((HUGS)))
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Post by AndreaS15 on Dec 29, 2005 18:22:53 GMT -8
This is a sign of an Ear Infection. You will need to take her to a Vet for Antibiotics, if you get her there sooner you may be able to reverse the head tilt, if not treated right away, the head tilt will become permenent. Keep her warm, give her lots of fluids and if you have Ornacycline give that to her too. Make the appointment now if you can (sooner the better) as ear infections are very painful. Now if she is medicated and seems healthy and well, except for the remaining tilt, it could mean she has a tumor, but it's best to make sure it's not an infection first.).
Good Luck! Hope she's feeling better soon!
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Post by meganb52 on Dec 30, 2005 6:35:55 GMT -8
Yup, sounds like an ear infection to me. The reason they tilt their heads with an ear infection is that there are certain nerves (called cranial nerves) that run very close to where the inner ear is located. If that part of the body gets inflamed (like with an infection) it causes damage to the nerves making them not work properly. If corrected quickly, the nerves have a shot at healing. If not, the nerves will be permanently damaged and the head tilt will not go away. Antibiotics usually clear it up pretty well. A trip to the vet is definitely in order.
-Megan
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Post by ashleyrenee on Dec 30, 2005 15:44:36 GMT -8
how could you tell if there is a tumor? just a lump i suppose?? im gonna call the vet tommorrow bc its too late tonite for that. um.. yes she is eating she is doing everything else that she usually does. wouldnt a strokoe mean she would twitch uncontrolabley?? just asking she is that same today but ill definately call the vets tommorrow thanks much everyone
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Post by AndreaS15 on Dec 30, 2005 17:00:04 GMT -8
When one of my old gerbils had a stroke, it was VERY noticable. Her left side was paralized, and when I found her I thought she was dead. She did survive this one, and lived a few more months. As for the Tumor, I would think the Vet would be the only one to diagnose it, I would guess if the gerbil was healthy and active, but had the tilt and medication didn't do anything maybe that would be a sign if it was a tumor and not the infection?
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Post by ashleyrenee on Dec 30, 2005 17:08:26 GMT -8
she is still very active like i said she goes around doing other things. Or i could have been some where else and never noticed her have the stroke. How long was your gerbil paralyzed for?
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Post by ashleyrenee on Dec 31, 2005 7:40:34 GMT -8
I went to the vets this morning and I told her about the ear infection and she said it could be that or a rupture ( how ever you spell it) ear drum. Is it possible for that to happen to a gerbil?? The medicine she gave me is a ointment to put in her ears. Its called Dermalone Ointment. Nystatin - Neomycin sulfate-thiostrepton- triamcinolone acetonide ointment. Is this safe? Im just getting a second opinion on the matter
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Post by doomgerbiluk on Dec 31, 2005 9:30:54 GMT -8
Well although I haven't heard of this in gerbils I do think it is wise to trust yoru vet. Obviously if there is no improvement you should return to your vet after the holiday. This is Drunk after his infection cleared up
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Post by ashleyrenee on Dec 31, 2005 11:31:57 GMT -8
that picture that you showed doomgerbiluk looks exactly how missy is. Did your gerbil stay that way? He is very pretty i love his colors.
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Post by meganb52 on Dec 31, 2005 12:06:32 GMT -8
A ruptured eardrum can be a secondary complication of an ear infection, so yes, your vet is right. The drug she gave you is an antibiotic ointment similar to neosporin made speciffically for the ears. Like I said in my post above, she may or may not recover from the head tilt, but with treatment at least the infection will clear and it won't get any worse.
-Megan
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Post by AndreaS15 on Dec 31, 2005 16:02:12 GMT -8
she is still very active like i said she goes around doing other things. Or i could have been some where else and never noticed her have the stroke. How long was your gerbil paralyzed for? She was paralized for the rest of her life (which was about 4 months) she lived to be over 4 years old though. Hope the med's work quickly for your gerbie! Keep us updated on her recovery.
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Post by ashleyrenee on Jan 1, 2006 15:54:33 GMT -8
Second day of treatment with her she is doing ok. Still eating and drinking all right. I hope the medicine gets to her. I showed my friend her yesterday because she came over for new years eve and she about cried because of her ear infection the head tilt she said made her feel bad.
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Post by ashleyrenee on Jan 1, 2006 22:13:58 GMT -8
Hey tonight i noticed that the head tilt looks not even that bad when she had it before i gave her the medicine. I looked at zorro and i thought that she had it but she was just looking at me funny lol. silly gerbil lol.
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Post by RitzieAnn on Jan 2, 2006 0:11:29 GMT -8
A head tilt will just give her more character! When my little Kandice stands up, she slowly tips to the side and nearly falls over, but we think she's partially blind, and that could be why she does that....
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