Poorly Gerbil

[LillieHeart]

Hello,
We have two gerbils who are around 14-15 months old. Eight days ago we noticed that one was hiding away a lot (she's normally very inquisitive), and appeared to be much thinner and slower than usual - she also had her eyes almost shut and kept pausing and almost falling asleep like she had no energy. She showed no improvement overnight so we took her to the vets, and have been back several times over the last week - they've given her two doses of antibiotics and one dose of steroids to encourage her to eat. They say they can feel a small lump in her abdomen, so think she may have a blockage? We're really careful what we give them (no plastic / fluffy bedding etc) so not sure what the blockage can be. We've been handfeeding her over the week, and she goes through phases about how much / what she shall eat, and has put on a little weight but subsequently lost it again. The vet recommended that if she hadn't shown any improvement by today we should think about putting her to sleep as there is nothing else they can do. Our other gerbil is fine, still sleeping with her and grooming her, and I'm heartbroken that she might loose her sister. Does anyone have any advice on what we may be able to try, or if it is time we should say goodbye?

[Markpd]

Perhaps the blockage is a tumour growing in a bad place? Although she's rather young for that.

I know she's seen a vet, but is she able to chew ok? No teeth problems?

Will she eat soft food or mushed up gerbil food?

Oh, something I've noted from another thread :-

So the entire tooth was extracted, meaning he'll need the opposite tooth trimmed when it gets too long? I've had two gerbils who had a tooth that stopped growing, and they both lived long and happy lives after that. Tooth trims are no big deal most of the time—at least no more than nail trims. If he has trouble with solid food, there are soft alternatives that he can have. Mine went crazy for Harrison's juvenile hand-feeding formula for birds, and my elderly gerb with no teeth lived on that alone for over a year.

By sandybadlands gerbilforum.proboards.com/post/292785/thread

[catnut]

sorry to hear about your poorly gerbil. Is there an exotic vet near you? maybe they can help her more but it they felt a tumor/blockage, nothing may be able to be done. I wouldn't give up until she has limited quality of life. Maybe check her teeth and see if a different type of food like Mark suggested, may give her more energy- does she eat much? Just go day by day and see how she is before deciding PTS. take care.