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Post by tanzanyte on Sept 28, 2021 14:19:12 GMT -8
I'm at a loss as Little My started behaving oddly today. She seemed ok this morning, but I was out all day so I have no idea when things started to go south. I found her lying in the play area near a hide in the afternoon. Both Mymble and Little My are easily scared but when I went to pick her up I tripped up something I'd left out to give to the boys, only Little My didn't even move.
We managed to get her in at the vets, but the vet can't work out what it is as she couldn't feel any tumours or bloating. So we have no idea what we're dealing with unless we have some invasive tests, and the vet didn't feel that that was the right thing to do atm.
Little My did seem to brighten up on the car journey and whilst with the vets she was moving around but the vet knew that she wasn't behaving normally. We have metacam which she has taken 0.05mls, only now she has started squeaking, which she wasn't doing earlier.
I've tried to give her a heat pad but she won't sit on or near it. I've given her extra food and treats, and keep offering her water. I don't know what else to do. I really don't think she is going to make it despite only being 10 months old.
Does anyone have any advice of how best to help them when they are like this?
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Post by tanzanyte on Sept 29, 2021 2:21:26 GMT -8
She's made it through the night, but is still not good. I'm just keeping everything crossed.
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Post by catnut on Sept 29, 2021 13:46:17 GMT -8
sorry to hear Little My isn't doing soo well, other than offering her fave treats, put it right in front of her, give her fruit/veggies if she isn't drinking as much, not sure what else you could try, just don't give up hope and look online on google. Someone said to try sugar water in case it's low blood sugar or maybe try something sweet like a small bit of muffin, i did that with a gerbil that wouldn't eat for a day and that seemed to interest her, not sure how much sugar to add, by syringe would probably be best, if she seems to be lethargic. Fingers crossed she will recover. squeaking could be pain so good you have metacam. Critical care for gerbils from the vets if she isn't eating much, i think you can just call, say you were in with her and see if you can get some.
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Post by tanzanyte on Oct 1, 2021 0:26:30 GMT -8
Thanks Catnut. I think I will have to call the vet again. She's a lot brighter, moving around normally and has her eyes open more. However she has dropped 6g in a week (she dropped 2g from yesterday to today). The vet couldn't get a look at her teeth and neither can we, but she is chewing things, she can eat seeds and chew dense card. However when I gave her a yogurt drop it took her several minutes and she still didn't finish it. There are teeth marks in it though. I have crushed some food up just in case.
She isn't taking the metacam now, she is struggling too much and it's going over her rather than in her mouth. She's not showing signs of distress any more so I'll keep an eye on her and go back to giving it if she needs it. I think if it were her teeth she would still be showing signs of distress and she has never one pawed at her face like Bubbles did when she lost her teeth.
I've noticed some of her poo is blacker, but other than that I haven't noticed anything else so goodness knows what's going on.
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Post by barryozzy on Oct 1, 2021 5:29:40 GMT -8
Do you think it is possible she might have had a stroke? When one of my previous gerbils had a stroke, he kept trying to eat but spit the food out and seemed like he had lost his balance. Maybe try giving her soft foods like oatmeal and applesauce if she is not chewing right.
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Post by tanzanyte on Oct 1, 2021 11:48:05 GMT -8
I did wonder about a stroke, but didn't notice any paralysis, however, I don't think we can rule it out. I know when my nan had a stroke she passed all of the stroke tests but it was actually affecting her autonomous system so it doesn't always mean it affects limbs and that's it.
We've had another trip to the vets tonight and she's checked Little My's teeth which are fine. She doesn't seem to have any infection and has no odd lumps/masses anywhere. She has tested her urine which is fine. I'm just hoping her appetite kicks back in and her weight stabilises. It's so odd to have been so ill that she wasn't moving and was so cold with her eyes only open a fraction, to then pick up and be so much brighter but continue to not eat properly, and have significant weight loss.
Our vet is away next week which is why I didn't want to leave it. If things don't improve the next step would be a blood test.
She did suggest we tried some Applause chicken cat food. Has anyone ever tried their gerbils on this or something similar?
The vet also wondered if it might be hormonal. Has anyone ever had any odd behaviour or health issues that might be hormonal?
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Post by catnut on Oct 1, 2021 14:29:41 GMT -8
glad she is still with you but not sure what is wrong with her. Maybe she wants to eat but can't for some reason, too weak, not feeling well or not much of an appetite, keep trying easy to eat foods and maybe crush it up or try mushy foods and hand feed her every 2-3 hours, sometimes they will eat if they see it as a treat. Glad you were able to get an appt, the vet that sees gerbils is very busy and i couldn't get one in time before my Theo passed (knew it wasn't going to help after but they couldn't even see him to be put down when it was bad). Take care and hope she improves. Fingers crossed.
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