What to feed a dehydrated underweight poorly gerbil?

[katsqueakish]

As the subject says...My daughter's gerbil is wobbling, eyes half closed and suddenly lost weight (66g from 75g) As soon as we realised something was wrong went straight to the vets. She has had antibiotic injection, anti inflammatory injection and something to help her get hydrated again.
Now home under a heat lamp on antibiotics but doesn't seem to be drinking. Want to feed her good foods with liquid to help rehydrate and fatten her up.

She is 2 and a half and I'm aware that prognosis isn't good and she may have had a stroke but we will help her all we can.

Any advice on care/food etc appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[betty]

Hello - and sorry to hear about your poorly little one.

So, yes, you are right too look for moist nutritious foods for her - so perhaps consider something like baby fruit (fruity ones are ususally prefered), scrambled egg, (cool) porridge, sweet veg thick soup/blended cooked parsnip carrot and sweet potato) or a specially bought kitten milk formula.

I feed mine on a shallow tray or inverted jar lid for easy access - but you can soak bread chunks in them and the gerbils suck the moisture off them (or eat with).

[Pim]

Try offering a slice of cucumber for her to nibble as that has lots of moisture!

[katsqueakish]

Thank you so much for the replies, I had made some apple sauce for her already and was given her fresh fruit and veg and was going to make some of the things you suggested but sadly Tina didn't make it through the night.

We are no concentrating on making sure her sister isn't too lonely and will be keeping an eye on her.

[gerbilord]

I'm so sorry that you lost Tina. Please be gentle with yourself as you grieve.
Sending you lots of hugs x

[betty]

Oh no. They do that sometimes.

They wait right until the last day or two until they let you know they aren't well.

Boo.

[Markpd]

Sorry to hear that , I hope her sister does ok.