Sore Nose

[sirius]

I have been asked for to write some facts about sore nose and how to cure it.
First, there is a photo of a gerb who has it
i18.photobucket.com/albums/b123/aavikkohiiret/nokkis.jpg
Causes:
It may cause of 3 things (for known).
1) bedding 2) cage 3) stress

1) Bedding may cause this illness, if it's dusty (eventhoug it's not dirty). The bedding may be so small, that it's too dusty. Here's a photo of mörttiröpö (aspen chips) on the left side
www.kolumbus.fi/satumetsan/muut/sisustus3.JPG

2) Cage's bars. Gerbils may chew them, and it makes fur to leave and causes this illness. You think that gerbil doesn't chew them, but you cannot watch it for 24/7 and make sure gerbil really doesn't Also cage is not place for gerbil,and about this subject we can talk in somewhere else than in this topic.

3) Stress. If gerbil's place is moved all the time, and from noise and/or if gerbil is in place where is too cold.

Treatment
First of all, get rid of the thing what is causing this. Change beddings to aspen chips and put gerbil to tank, if it's not already. You don't have to move ill gerbil alone, let him/her be with another gerbils.
Then use cream.
(here in Finland can use Bepanthen www.roche.de/allgemein/meilensteine/bepanthen.jpg) or Terra Poly. I didn't find pic of that, but it's antibiotic cream. )
As true, terra poly is better for animals.
Take a gerbil to your hand (and use leather gloves if you think gerbil may bite) and put that cream to gerbil's nose with cotton buds (www.tuko.fi/tuotteet/kuvat/1_337.jpg)
and hold gerbil for some minutes that the cream starts affecting. Then you can put gerbil back to her/his friends. Also add some vitamins to drinking water. It's not bad to all gerbil's drink it too,just make sure you didn't put it too much. Also check gerbil's nails that those are not too long.

I hope these helped

(and these doesn't go with 3 weeks old babies, cuz their respitory illness doesn't come from these,and it may not cured.)
And, sorry my bad english
I also published this message on Malaysia Gerbil Forum malaysiagerbil.proboards84.com/index.cgi

//modified; respitory illnes changed to Sore nose, it should be right now.

[RW]

I think we're talking about two different things here--sore nose and respiratory infection.

Sore noses can be caused by what sirius mentioned. RI is like a human cold or pneumonia and is likely what she mentions in pups about 3 weeks old, as they seem to be very suseptible at that age. Respiratory infections should be treated with antibiotics, preferably from a vet. I understand that RI in pups can be passed to them from their parents, who are carriers but not ill themselves, and can be minimized by not breeding these adults or pups who have suffered from an RI.

RW

[sirius]

Well,it's kind of hard to know from nothing what you are calling it. But I think that all got the point from gerbil's pic

[RW]

There are quite a few members (and more joining all the time) who are new to gerbils and might not know that what you call a respiratory illness is actually a sore nose. The photo is self-explanatory to someone who knows what a sore nose is, but to someone who doesn't know much about gerbils yet, it could be confusing, since a respiratory infection is a serious illness that needs prompt treatment by a vet and a sore nose can usually be taken care of at home with an antibiotic ointment or cream and removing the cause, as you said.

RW

[sirius]

What ever, this was posted to help people,not to argue.
And I had first called that by sore nose, but some people here told me that it's a respitory illness, and I thought you know so go and judge them too.

[doomgerbiluk]

You know this is what forums are for, to educate people and share information. And even, yes, to correct misconceptions.
So I hope no one has hard feelings here.

RI: most commonly seen in just weaned pups with immature immune systems or immune suppressed [elderly] animals.
Symptoms, clicking, gasping for breath, fluffed coat, not eating/nursing, isolation from others, depression, death.
Treatment: antibiotics
Vet visit essential.

Sore nose: Red secretion, loss of fur around nose, generally unwell.
Cause: irritation due to allergy or injury, often exasperated by infection.
Treatment: removal of irritation, antibiotic cream.
Vet visit recommended if no improvement.

[lizzy]

I am confused on how on earth you mixed up a RI with a sore nose. They are two very different things.

Anyway, this is good advice on how to cure a sore nose.

[RW]

I think this was just a simple misunderstanding of terms.

sirius, I apologize if you felt I was arguing...that wasn't at all my intention.

RW