When to take your gerbil to the vet.

[pepandmax]

Hi all,

Last night I wasn't feeling well, so I was up "burning the midnight oil," reading old posts on the forum.

A theme I saw repeated on this particular board was people coming here for advice instead of bringing their gerbil to the vet. In some cases things worked out, but very often the next post was, "Thanks, but ___ died last night."

Before anyone jumps down my throat, this is NOT in response to ANY particular thread, only my impression from reading almost back to the beginning of the board. I also realize that in many places, there are few or no vets that have experience with gerbils, so this is basically the only resource available. But even a vet who has little experience with gerbils can assist with basic things, such as nutrition, hydration, antibiotics, pain relief, and so on (if they don't know dosages off the top of their head, that's the purpose of those reference books and that framed college degree on the wall).

So I think it would be helpful if we discuss when you should bring your gerbil to the vet. If it works out, it would also be great if it could be stickied, or otherwise put somewhere where people will see it, especially people who are new to the board and who have come only for emergency medical advice.

My guidelines for non-emergency vet visits are:

1. If I know what the problem is, and I can't treat it at home due to lack of equipment or experience;
2. If there are symptoms that I can't diagnose, but the gerbil does not seem to be in pain, distress, or otherwise have life-threatening symptoms (i.e. breathing is normal, is warm to the touch, eats and drinks normally, etc.)

For emergency trips:
1. Any time the animal has symptoms that I can't diagnose and is clearly in pain or distress;
2. Any time the animal has life-threatening symptoms, such as slow breathing, cool to the touch, inability to eat or drink, etc.

What are your guidelines? Are there any generally accepted guidelines?

[christine]

That is pretty good and about the guidlines I follow too. So far I have been lucky (thank goodness) and haven't needed to go to the vet for anything, but I am always on the lookout for symtoms because I don't want my little babies dying on me.

[malabui]

I think that I would add
For Emergency Trips:
When the gerbil's fur is bloodsoaked (due to fighting), I know that quite often that isn't life threatening, but still... (I had to do that once and the 2 who had fought, though in different travel boxes, wouldn't even look at each other!)

[caz]

When I took on my girls in January, one of the first things I did was to ring round my local vets (of which there are about 10 within a 7 mile radius) to find out who had the most expericence with gerbils. I was disappointed to find that most had no idea of how to treat a gerbil, but most said yes 'we'd look at them for you!' They seem to be classed as 'exotics' around here, unless you have a cat or dog! I was somewhat miffed that none seemed to have any real clue as to how to treat them should they get poorly, and I am still non the wiser as to whom to choose should my girls need attention (hopefully they won't, but I'd rather be prepared!)

Good idea PepandMax for suggesting certain issues that would or would not need vetinary care. As a relatively new owner myself, I look upon this forum for advice foremost unless something critical should happen. For instance, a bloodsoaked gerbil would put fear into any owner, but that doesn't necessarily mean they need vetinary treatmet. Only by my own research from this board could I possibly deduce this and be happy that I was doing the right thing by not taking them straight to the vet.

So, in a nutshell, any conclusive advice on health and ailments would certainly be a major benefit to anyone visiting this forum There is no better advice than from those who have already been through certain issues with our gerbils - you live and learn eh!

Caroline
PS. Hope you are feeling better today Pepandmax!

[AndreaS15]

I think it's important for people to know that yes we will say give ornacycline to Resp. cases and such, but that type of antibiotics may not always help, especially with severe cases. Only a Vet can give you the proper medication for your pets, and tell you the amounts your should administer. Overdosing on medication could harm your pet (kill them) and if they do not get enough of it, they may become immune to the antibiotic and it will stop working for them. That's another reason to always finish the prescription up untill the Vet has said to, no matter how well the animal is doing.