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Post by Sulliesmom on Dec 17, 2006 8:52:42 GMT -8
my 2 1/2 year old male gerbil woke up today walking with a swagger. he also doesn't like to open his eyes that much. He is also a little cold. I take him out every night to play and he was not acting like this last night, nor has he ever acted like this. So far, I put him in a smaller cage with a towel inside as well as some clean water and food. He was by the heater for about three minutes but I turned it off so he wouldn't overheat. I realize Sullivan is old and this could just be the end but it came on so suddenly. Can anyone think of anything I can do? Any medications? I have not taken him to the vet but I will if he does not improve. Please help me and my baby.
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Post by hazel2k6147 on Dec 17, 2006 10:14:28 GMT -8
Well as he is old it old be many things but i think its a stroke Gerbils normally get a little beter after a stroke but sometimes a really bad stroke could mean he will never recover. Im not sure but I think its a strke Id take him to your local expert vet good luck
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Post by sulliesmom on Dec 17, 2006 10:39:35 GMT -8
You might be right. I've been monitoring him all morning and he has gotten much better. His eyes are open and he only swaggers a little now. He's eating and drinking. After you suggested stroke I did see how his symptoms were similar to human stroke victims. I'll keep watching him. My mom bought some Ornacycline in case it was respiratory, but I don't see any of those symptoms. I'm also fairly certain it's not viral because nothing has affected Scotty (my other baby). Thanks for your help!
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Post by tracy on Dec 17, 2006 11:56:07 GMT -8
Sorry Sullivan is not quite right, but good that he's improving. I would probably keep him with his mate, not in a separate cage, if he's managing walking, eating and drinking alright. Then you won't have the trouble of having to reintroduce them and Scotty can help keep Sullivan comfortable and happy in his usual surroundings. Keep an eye on him, and hope he continues to improve!
Tracy
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Post by hazel2k6147 on Dec 17, 2006 12:13:11 GMT -8
its goodthat he is improving. yeah leave hi in with his mate as he will appreciatethe cofort an will need to be groomed if his eating is a little dodgy defrosted peas and mind big is better. Hope all turns out well
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Post by pepandmax on Dec 18, 2006 7:52:16 GMT -8
How is he doing today?
If he still feels chilled, you sould wrap a heating pad around one corner of the tank and put it on the lowest setting. Also, I agree with hazel that it's important to encourage him to eat and drink. He is weak, and not eating and drinking enough will make him weaker. Try foods with moisture, like peas, as hazel suggested.
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Post by denvergerbils on Dec 19, 2006 19:35:48 GMT -8
Just wondering how things turned out... Patrick is ill too and I started noticing that he was walking funny...
I hope Sullie pulls through!
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Post by hazel2k6147 on Dec 21, 2006 8:24:26 GMT -8
suppose its just like us if you hage a fever or the flu or something like that your balance goes alittle funny
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Post by malabui on Dec 21, 2006 10:54:57 GMT -8
It sounds like stroke to me. (alot of my gerbils that I used to have had it)
Don't change the layout of their cage when they have had a stroke, because they don't like it and may get confused if the foodbowl isn't where it is ment to be, Unfortunatly it includes letting them go upstairs, which is more nerveracking for the human than for the gerbil.
There is a good chance for him to recover, but once they have had one stroke, others in the future is quite common.
Apple is very good for moisture,,,
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Post by hazel2k6147 on Dec 22, 2006 3:03:57 GMT -8
yeah some gerbils and people are prone to strokes and faiting anf fits ect. Id keep the tank simple and as said before one floor incase he loses his balance adn falls of a ladder floor or if wire topper roof.
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