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Post by mummat on Dec 29, 2022 15:51:07 GMT -8
My male gerbil has become extremely Lethargic today!
He is usually full of energy and eats lots; today he has struggled to eat and is just laying in one spot not flinching when his cage mate jumps on him ….
I managed to syringe feed him a tiny amount of water this evening, he ate a mealworm slowly earlier and a sunflower seed before refusing anymore foods ..
it’s as though he’s wanting the foods and water, but struggling to take them?
His cheeks have puffed out like little balls and his eyes are quite closed ..
He never likes being handled directly by hands yet today has allowed it; though squeaks when being picked up; fine once being cuddled!
Any advices will be so gratefully received thank you 🙏
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Post by LilyandDaisy on Dec 29, 2022 16:10:04 GMT -8
It sounds like he is ill unfortunately. Are you able to get him to a vet?
In the meantime, keep giving him water regularly and try to keep him eating. He might find soft foods such as soaked pellets, baby food etc easier. Also try to keep him warm. If you have a heating pad, you can put that under one part of the enclosure, or otherwise a hot water bottle propped up against the cage.
Hopefully he will feel better soon!
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Post by mummat on Dec 29, 2022 16:53:12 GMT -8
Thank you lily&daisy .. I’ve just held him for past hr for warmth and comfort .. tried syringe feeding him more water, he wouldn’t/couldn’t take it .. he took a small piece of carrot and tomato, but couldn’t then eat it!
I will try to get him a vet appt in the morning .. thank you again for your advices too ….
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Post by LilyandDaisy on Dec 29, 2022 17:05:44 GMT -8
Since he isn't eating, I would offer him sugar water (or watered down honey/golden syrup, or apple juice) instead of plain water so he gets some energy (if he will take it).
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Post by mummat on Dec 29, 2022 17:10:59 GMT -8
Thank you so much .. I’ve just put a small hot water bottle under the bedding he’s resting on to keep him warm
I’ll try the sugar water too .. thank you for all your suggestions ✨
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Post by mummat on Dec 30, 2022 9:47:17 GMT -8
Been to vets .. had antibiotics and rehydration injections .. given more antiobiotics to take every 12hrs .. either will improve in next 24hrs or will deteriorate; here’s hopeful ‘jingly’ will improve!
I have to keep him seperately from his cage mate too jic ……
Now to find a suitable tub to house him a few days ….
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Post by LilyandDaisy on Dec 30, 2022 10:43:01 GMT -8
I wouldn't keep him separately personally. If he has something contagious, which is relatively unlikely, his cagemate has already been exposed to it. You'll need to reintroduce them with the split cage method once they've been apart for more than a day or so.
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Post by mummat on Jan 1, 2023 9:08:31 GMT -8
Ohh I wish I’d seen your last message sooner .. they’ve been separated since the vet trip .. jingle’s seemingly in full health; running round lots and back to his usual behaviours .. I’ve not heard of the split cage method? Wish vets explained more; they said was serious and to keep gerbillies apart .. Snowflake isn’t affected that I know of either, but misses his cage mate .. I’ll reintroduce them today .. jingly’s had a couple days of antibiotics so far a few more to go🐁🐀
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Post by LilyandDaisy on Jan 1, 2023 13:12:17 GMT -8
With the split cage method, you need to split a tank or cage in half with a wire mesh divider, put one gerbil on each side and swap them round ideally 3 times a day until they are ready to be introduced. Since they've only been apart for two days, I would be hopeful they might be ready to be reintroduced quite quickly.
If you don't want to do the above method, you could try introducing them in a neutral space, and if they are fine there put them in a carrier or very small cage with clean bedding for a few hours (watch them closely for the first couple of hours). After several hours you can move them to their enclosure with clean shallow bedding and limited toys to begin with. This method I suggest only because they've only been apart for a couple of days. I wouldn't use it to reintroduce gerbils that have been apart for much longer, or to introduce gerbils that have never been together.
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Post by mummat on Jan 2, 2023 8:29:13 GMT -8
Thank you again for your helpful advices .. I put both gerbils in their large play tub (where they go while I clean out their cage) .. they took to each other instantly .. had a few play fights and got cleaned up in their sand baths before being put back in cage together again .. all is well with jingle~bells and snowflake🙏 They missed each other ……
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