jewels1171
Member
Somewhat new to gerbils, but have learned a lot!
Posts: 118
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Post by jewels1171 on Jun 1, 2022 7:15:37 GMT -8
Hi! I’m looking for some advice for my 1 and a half year old male gerbil, Oakley. He has been looking like he’s staying away from the other two boys, close in age to him and relatives. They’ve always gotten along good, so I know something’s up. He’s actually acting like sick baby gerbils we’ve had in the past, which we cured. He feels warmer than usual, does seem to have a huge appetite, and he has slightly greasy/maybe sweaty fur. I’m a little freaked out, as he’s my favorite gerbil.
The sick gerbils we have had in the past (never exposed to Oakley, and this was a year ago) were acting very similar to Oakley, and we gave them some Colloidal silver and they eventually got better. Should I try doing this again? His fur is also darker than I remember it being, is this a concern?
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Post by catnut on Jun 1, 2022 14:20:55 GMT -8
Are they picking on him? if you see him being chased or a possible declanning, I would take him out but only if he being bullied. I wouldn't give him colloidal silver as he may not be ill. If you think he is ill, make an appt. with a vet and get him checked out.
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jewels1171
Member
Somewhat new to gerbils, but have learned a lot!
Posts: 118
|
Post by jewels1171 on Jun 1, 2022 15:13:28 GMT -8
He still goes by the other gerbils, but stays away a bit more than usual. He’s been running around a lot. Him and the others occasionally fight, but nothing serious, like they’ve been doing since they were pups and playing. Thanks
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Post by betty on Jun 3, 2022 5:36:36 GMT -8
I would still assume here that the balance of the clan has or is changing - as a gerbil sleeping out on their own more regularly is because either because of a declan or because they are 'ill' (different) in some way - which can sometimes end up causing a declan anyway.
Have you felt over his back and tail with your hands as that is most likely where any gritting or scabby area would be (if he was getting hounded out of the nest by one or both of the other gerbils with him) and you can't always see it. Face fighting is more noticable as the scabs are on the cheeks and neck which are places with less or shorter hair covering them.
As for 'darker' than usual - gerbils moulting can change colour temporarily as the hairs themselves 'die' (the follicle detaches) and the old ones fall out and the new ones are back to the normal colour. However, looking at your avatar - if the gerbils are colourpoint (or carry a colourpoint gene) then temperature can affect/change their colour slightly even if they aren't moulting - and certainly whilst they are.
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Post by Markpd on Jun 25, 2022 3:59:01 GMT -8
Any updates on Oakley?
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), late 70s