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Post by ellarosegerbils on Nov 15, 2022 13:48:03 GMT -8
Feeling desperate now and needing advice. Noticed one of my girls breathing hard and clicking about 24 hours ago, I immediately separated them (I have 2 litter mates), there are no vets near me who will take gerbils either. The closest one could only get me an appointment a week from now. She hasn’t eaten except for half a peanut, or drank water in the past 24 hours. Any advice on easy foods they can take? The only thing I’ve tried besides their regular diet is cucumber to get more water in her but she was uninterested (although I’ve tried when she was healthy before too and she didn’t want it then either lol) They’re only 2 and haven’t had health problems before also concerned that the other one will catch it or at the least be very lonely now
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Post by LilyandDaisy on Nov 15, 2022 15:46:38 GMT -8
I would try her with fruits or anything sweet really. Even watered down honey or sugar dissolved in water, just to get some energy and fluid into her.
Respiratory infections aren't usually contagious because they tend to be caused by bacteria that are in the environment all the time, and only cause problems when a gerbil is weakened in some way, or very young or old. I would generally only suspect a contagious cause if you had recently brought home new pet rodents, or taken the gerbils to a show or somewhere else where lots of animals are gathered.
It's better to keep sick gerbils with their tankmates where possible. Since it's only been 24 hours, if you're able to supervise them for the next few hours, you could try putting them back together. Watch them very closely until you see them settle down to sleep together.
The alternative would be to wait until the sick one is well again, and then do a split tank introduction.
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Post by ellarosegerbils on Nov 15, 2022 17:09:40 GMT -8
I did put them back together and the other immediately cuddled up to her and started grooming. Everything I read online said it was highly contagious but either way I couldn’t stand keeping them apart. They both seemed so sad. I haven’t tried honey but I’ve tried fruits and cucumber and she’s not interested
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