Smelly dark spot on side

[wendybird]

I'm posting this for one of my gerbil homes that had two of my pups. They contacted me to let me know that one died suddenly, born 6/30/22, so very young. He had been lethargic the night before. Then they found him dead the next morning with a dark spot on his side, no hair there too. They had never noticed the spot, these are very involved owners so it couldn't have been there long. They said it was not a scab and there was no indication that it was a wound. They said the spot was smelly but the rest of him was not. The sibling has been alone for two weeks and has no sign of ill health.

Any idea what caused his death?

[betty]

I have no idea what it could have been rom that very specific set on circumstances - and it is indeed very sad.

It could have been one of several things though - although the exact cause may never be known. Most likely it could have been some kind of pain/severe irritation in that spot that caused overgrooming and seepage - like a scraze of sorts.

We know that barbering in gerbils caused the coat of an agouti-based gerbil to appear darker - and it also could appear bald too as the hair is actually much shorter. Additionally, severe irritation on animal skin can also cause the hairs to fall out and the skin itself to darken (think of a picture of a dog with mange or an allergy). Sometimes this can also cause the area to seep white blood cells and other preventative matter and so could create a smell of sorts.

Other than that - I really wouldn't have any other suggestions of the top of my head. Shame.