|
Sneezing
Aug 30, 2020 13:24:26 GMT -8
via mobile
Post by marls on Aug 30, 2020 13:24:26 GMT -8
Hi there Over the past few weeks I have noticed that my little black gerbil, Ramone (who seems to be the subject of most of my questions) has been sneezing. I wrote recently about weight gain but actually, he is gaining weight and physically is fine. Other than sneezing, he is perfectly healthy. He is very active, eating well and no visible signs of illness such as runny nose. I thought it might be the bedding as I use Aspen (my other one seems to have a sensitivity to carefresh, not sneezing but a red nose that cleared up as soon as I switched the bedding). I have Ramone registered with a specialist vet but I wanted to get some advice first as there is really no other signs of illness. I would be grateful for any views. Thank you!
|
|
|
Post by betty on Aug 30, 2020 14:17:09 GMT -8
Hello again marls - and yes - sneezing without other signs of illness is usually just a sensitivity to something in the environment - not necessarily just the substrate. Hay; dust from around the enclosure (including bookshelves and the such); moving fresh air carrying 'dust' or pollen particles either through a fan, air con or an open window can all carry sneeze-inducing particles too. However, if it has been going on for a while - it is sometimes worth having a vet listen to their lungs to check whether there is some unrelated damage. I had a jird who had permanent lung damage when I adopted her that I didn't know about, but there was was no way to find this out without a vet's help as apart from being underweight as the original symptom you couldn't have seen or guessed at that. Not saying this is the case with your little one - but just to say that sometimes there aren't any obvious symptoms connecting on thing to another. Perhaps trying no (particled) substrate short term might be something to try if the vet has no other ideas?
|
|
|
Post by Markpd on Aug 30, 2020 15:29:28 GMT -8
Not using a new washing powder, air freshener, deodorant, shampoo or anything like that are you? Just trying to think outside of the box .
|
|
|
Post by marls on Aug 31, 2020 0:25:22 GMT -8
Thanks so much for replying. No, nothing new. I take your point about the respiratory issue. He is tiny ( he is gaining weight and is presently about 75grams) and is 5 months. We rescued him (and I mean rescued him) from a pet shop that was not very clean. He has only 4 toes on one of his feet and within a month of us having him, we were infested with Avian mites! £80 later we were able to get rid of them (my existing Gerbil was not impressed). So it is a possibility. I’ve been listening to him to see if he makes any “clicking” when he’s breathing but of course, that’s just by my naked ear. He is really active, runs like the Dickens on his wheel to the extent that I only have the wheel in his playpen now as he will just obsess with being on it. He eats and chews and has a very shiny coat. No discharge from anywhere. I’ll take him in just to be sure. Luckily my other Gerbil is very grounded and calm and doesn’t mind the weird quirks of his new tank mate. Thank you for your advice!! 👍
|
|
|
Post by betty on Aug 31, 2020 15:49:18 GMT -8
Well, do let us know what the vet says if you do end up visiting - or if anything else changes.
It is always great to have a 'complete' story on a thread so we can all learn from it - even it is was nothing in the end. We are always learning more.
And glad your other gerbil is super chilled - they are some of the best gerb friends you could ask for.
|
|
|
Sneezing
Sept 2, 2020 22:35:09 GMT -8
via mobile
Post by marls on Sept 2, 2020 22:35:09 GMT -8
Thank you! Will do! I have changed the substrate and am waiting for a day or so to see if anything changes and if not, I’ll take him in. Poor little Ramone! His quirks make him even more endearing! Thank you again for your advice! 😊
|
|
|
Post by marls on Sept 23, 2020 14:15:05 GMT -8
So just to update, I have changed the substrate and it only made things worse. So I switched back to Aspen. Ramone remains extremely active, eating well, drinking, playing with Anton but is still sneezing. I have an appointment booked with our exotic vet who is just returning from holiday (hence the delay). I will update as soon as I have some news! 👍
|
|
|
Post by betty on Oct 5, 2020 3:56:41 GMT -8
It has been a while now marls - has ANYTHING worked substrate-wise - or was it something else entirely?
|
|
|
Post by Markpd on Oct 5, 2020 12:02:56 GMT -8
Perhaps try Hemp for substrate? It's hypo allergenic apparently.
|
|
|
Sneezing
Oct 6, 2020 11:20:31 GMT -8
via mobile
Post by marls on Oct 6, 2020 11:20:31 GMT -8
I had to wait until the vet who specialises in Gerbils came back from holiday. I have just come back from the appointment and the vet said he is perfectly healthy and ruled out respiratory issues. However, since I have changed the substrate with no improvement, he wonders if he may have sinus inflammation (even though his nose and eyes are clear). We are trying Ramone on 0.03 ml of Batryl to see if it clears up. But overall he is really healthy and a good weight.
|
|
|
Sneezing
Oct 6, 2020 11:21:45 GMT -8
via mobile
Post by marls on Oct 6, 2020 11:21:45 GMT -8
I’ll definitely try the hemp. I’ve used it before but usually mixed with the Aspen but I’ll give it a go on its own.
|
|
|
Post by Markpd on Oct 6, 2020 11:22:26 GMT -8
Which substrates did you try? Good to hear he's otherwise healthy though .
|
|
|
Sneezing
Oct 6, 2020 12:24:36 GMT -8
via mobile
Post by marls on Oct 6, 2020 12:24:36 GMT -8
I’ve tried Clean and Cozy, Carefresh, Aspen and Aspen mixed with Hemp and Little friends eco paper bedding. Not many choices left but I will try the hemp in its own. 👍
|
|
|
Post by betty on Oct 7, 2020 5:30:34 GMT -8
Cripes - you might be on a wild goose chase?
Is there ANYTHING else in the room or enclosure that you HAVEN'T changed that it could be instead? I can't believe you would be unlucky enough to have a gerbil allergic to everything?
Also, I use the Pillow Wad ECO-NEST and find it really dust-free and 'plain'.
|
|
|
Sneezing
Oct 7, 2020 9:53:07 GMT -8
via mobile
Post by marls on Oct 7, 2020 9:53:07 GMT -8
Nothing with Ramone would surprise me at this point! 😂 I’ve moved their tank from the bookshelf a couple of weeks ago. I’ve started giving him the antibiotics so maybe it will help. I’ll keep you updated! Crazy Gerb! Thank you for all of your help!
|
|