Noticed something strange on gerbil's rear end

[benthegerbil]

We adopted our gerbil from a pet store (good UK chain of shops). He was about 2 months old when someone brought him back without his two siblings and then lockdown happened, so he spent 4 months in their cage alone. He's fairly sociable and curious with humans, and I've been reassured by a huge variety of people that he is fine without a gerbil buddy as long as we give him lots of attention because of the fact he's spent so long alone. I've noticed nothing too strange about him, although he's very anxious. Impossible to hold him and likely never will which is fine because we have other ways of doing things (using a small cup that he happily gets into so we can move him around). He's getting much braver, and now runs in his wheel and climbs onto our arms for a treat.

This morning, I noticed his butt looked a little swollen. I tried to pick him up to inspect but it just wasn't happening and he started squeaking so I stopped. I watched him for a while and tried to get a better look - it seems to be a bit swollen and dark but I really couldn't tell what was up. Nothing else weird to report really, and I have one semi-clear picture. I'm wondering if it's cause for concern?

[LilyandDaisy]

I can't really see clearly in that photo, but could it be his testicles? They can be black sometimes. You could put him in a glass jar to get a photo of his underside which will be easier to see.

[Pim]

Yeah seems to be his testicles as said above if it is there is nothing to worry about!

[betty]

They can be quite big to be honest - so most likely totally normal to see them when they are active or very warm.

They can get growths on them - just as anywhere else on the body - so it is good to have a good look at them while your boy is in a jar as suggested above. That way, you will know what they SHOULD look like - just incase one day you think they look different but you have nothing to compare it to.

I think I saved an image somewhere...

[a href=""]Man Conkers[/a]