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Post by jal on Apr 10, 2020 1:44:11 GMT -8
One of my female gerbils (approximately 2.5 years old) had blood in her urine yesterday, this happened once before but cleared up within the same day. With it being a Bank Holiday I phoned the vets straight away but it took me a long time to get through to them. The vet thought it may be a urine infection and prescribed Baytril without seeing her. I picked it up from the vet's car park (due to social distancing) last evening. However, her urine looked fine by then and she seems well in herself and is eating normally. I haven't started her on the antibiotic yet and wondered whether to leave it for a couple of days to see if it happens again? I know it could be some underlying problem such as a tumour or kidney problem. The vet told me to phone again if it doesn't clear up or she gets worse. I can't see or feel anything untoward though she has put on a bit of weight so has a little "tummy". I just thought it was her age and she's always been a little bigger and heavier than her sister (she's the dominant gerbil). Also, how long does Baytril keep once it's been dispensed, just wondered if it goes off?
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Post by catnut on Apr 10, 2020 15:12:46 GMT -8
how much blood? I would put something so you can tell if her urine looks normal (a tin lid works well as most like to pee on it) and just watch for the next day to see if it happens again. not sure about baytril but if not opened it should keep for awhile, I usually put mine in the fridge but maybe call the vet clinic or check online for sure. if you have facebook, there is group called "gerbil care and support" you could join and ask, many are experienced on there.  Hope she will be okay, it could be a URI or more serious condition, but try the baytril if she does have more blood. Take care, Tammy |
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Post by jal on Apr 11, 2020 10:22:50 GMT -8
Thanks for the suggestions. It was only a little bit of blood and seems to have cleared up. I've kept checking and there's no sign of any blood in her urine at all today and she seems well so I'll hold off giving her the antibiotic for now.
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Post by jal on Apr 13, 2020 4:25:58 GMT -8
Just to add, I did end up giving her the antibiotic as she seemed to be struggling to pee though there was no blood. She also started to look unwell, quite hunched up with ruffled fur, poor thing. I know gerbils try to hide if they are ill so it's not always obvious. She perked up very quickly. She's still getting her Baytril as it's a week's course, though she hates it, I think she's fallen out with me!
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Post by betty on Apr 22, 2020 13:57:52 GMT -8
How is she doing now jal - I know how grumpy they can get when you have to medicate them - we've all been there... |
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Post by jal on Apr 24, 2020 4:06:43 GMT -8
Hi. She's fine now thanks, the Baytril seemed to do the trick. The last few days I mixed it into a tiny bit of baby food which she loved. It must have disguised the taste. She was getting wise to the fact that when I picked her up I'd give her some nasty medicine so she wouldn't come near me, even though I gave her a pumpkin seed afterwards. Then when I managed to pick her up it ended up being a bit of a battle of wills as she was grabbing the syringe and pushing it away, then she wouldn't open her mouth! I live on my own so it was tricky holding her and trying to give her the medicine. Hopefully she'll be okay now.
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Post by betty on Apr 28, 2020 3:43:08 GMT -8
Great news jal - I know what that is like - and don't envy you doing it one-personed! Well done you. I recently had to clip the toe nails of a very old but very fiesty toothless pair of gerbils - I still needed help!!! |
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Hope she will be okay, it could be a URI or more serious condition, but try the baytril if she does have more blood. Take care, Tammy
