Post by mandamu43 on Nov 27, 2019 14:05:10 GMT -8
About a week ago, my just over 3-year old gerbil Houdini had a stroke. I gave him a dark stress-free location, added some warmth, and made sure he was eating and drinking. He was definitely not eating as much as usual and lost some weight. Luckily he fully recovered from the stroke in a couple days, but then he started having hyperactive seizures on Saturday. These were really difficult to watch, and I thought for sure he was suffering at that point and was planning to take him for the dreaded last visit to the vet. To my surprise, by mid-day on Sunday, he was completely back to normal (eating, drinking, running around, climbing, chewing things, etc.) and I haven't seen another seizure on the gerbil cam since then. He also acted normal on Monday, but late last (Tuesday) night I noticed he now has really foul-smelling runny diarrhea. Interestingly enough, he still seems mostly active and is eating and drinking. I took him to the vet today, and vet recommended euthanasia because "he's old and suffering." I decided to bring him back home because I'm not sure I agree.
Just a couple things, aside from right after his stroke, he has been active with a healthy appetite. He lost interest in his wheel many months ago, but aside from that, he acts the same as he always has. After he recovered from the stroke, he seemed to be eating more than usual, but it looked like he was picking out the dried apricots and cranberries and mostly eating those. I usually give those to him in moderation, but I did throw a couple extras in there because I was desperate to help him eat and put on some weight after the stroke. Now I'm wondering if that is what caused his diarrhea since he was eating more of that than usual. I cleaned out his tank and gave him fresh bedding and food. I took all of the dried fruit out and just gave him his Gerri gerbil food and seed mix, and it looks like he is now eating the seeds. I'm not seeing any new diarrhea since I changed his bedding a few hours ago, but I'm not sure what to do.
I have 2.5% Baytril that I can give him by syringe, but I don't know what dose to give him or if that will make him worse if it's not a bacterial infection. Does anyone here have any advice? Do you think he is suffering and I should put him to sleep?
Just a couple things, aside from right after his stroke, he has been active with a healthy appetite. He lost interest in his wheel many months ago, but aside from that, he acts the same as he always has. After he recovered from the stroke, he seemed to be eating more than usual, but it looked like he was picking out the dried apricots and cranberries and mostly eating those. I usually give those to him in moderation, but I did throw a couple extras in there because I was desperate to help him eat and put on some weight after the stroke. Now I'm wondering if that is what caused his diarrhea since he was eating more of that than usual. I cleaned out his tank and gave him fresh bedding and food. I took all of the dried fruit out and just gave him his Gerri gerbil food and seed mix, and it looks like he is now eating the seeds. I'm not seeing any new diarrhea since I changed his bedding a few hours ago, but I'm not sure what to do.
I have 2.5% Baytril that I can give him by syringe, but I don't know what dose to give him or if that will make him worse if it's not a bacterial infection. Does anyone here have any advice? Do you think he is suffering and I should put him to sleep?
