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Post by blowyhamilton on Jan 13, 2023 6:47:02 GMT -8
One of my gerbils, Hyde accidently fell and he's not putting weight on his front left foot, that happens about four days ago and he's still not walking on it, he still use it when he's eating, drinking, burrowing, crewing on their toys and playing with his brothers but not using it only when he walking, will it heal on its own? He's still pretty active and still plays and eat
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Post by betty on Jan 13, 2023 13:02:45 GMT -8
That is a difficult one - as gerbils hide their pain a lot and so although he isn't making a drama out of it - I would assume it to be quite uncomfortable (as otherwise he would use it all the time). However you say he isn't walking on it but digging with it - so is he hopping on his other front leg - or just holding the injured one up when on all fours? I only ask as gerbils often pose like that with one foreleg up in the air, so it could be nothing.
It may not actually be the arm of course - it could be damage to his ribs, shoulder or spine - in which case just moving the arm to feed or dig might not be the part of him that is sore.
Gerbils do however heal VERY quickly, and so damage to a bone or muscles/skin can be back to 'normal' within a week or two without any corrective surgeries etc - not that most vets can do an awful lot on such teeny body parts anyway.
My main concern would always be for the dicomfort/pain they may be experiencing. However, if you do decide to take them to a vet - before making an appointment - always specifically ask a vet if they would even prescribe pain meds to your gerbil in the first place though - as many do not do this as standard and it could be a wasted journey indeed.
Do update us on how he is though.
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Post by blowyhamilton on Jan 14, 2023 6:24:32 GMT -8
That is a difficult one - as gerbils hide their pain a lot and so although he isn't making a drama out of it - I would assume it to be quite uncomfortable (as otherwise he would use it all the time). However you say he isn't walking on it but digging with it - so is he hopping on his other front leg - or just holding the injured one up when on all fours? I only ask as gerbils often pose like that with one foreleg up in the air, so it could be nothing. It may not actually be the arm of course - it could be damage to his ribs, shoulder or spine - in which case just moving the arm to feed or dig might not be the part of him that is sore. Gerbils do however heal VERY quickly, and so damage to a bone or muscles/skin can be back to 'normal' within a week or two without any corrective surgeries etc - not that most vets can do an awful lot on such teeny body parts anyway. My main concern would always be for the dicomfort/pain they may be experiencing. However, if you do decide to take them to a vet - before making an appointment - always specifically ask a vet if they would even prescribe pain meds to your gerbil in the first place though - as many do not do this as standard and it could be a wasted journey indeed. Do update us on how he is though. thanks for replying when he walks, he holds one up while he steps with the other three (so not putting any weight on the one that was injured) and I'm relieved to hear that gerbils heal quickly and he seems to be alright, and he doesn't show any sign of discomfort and I have been looking at him digging more closely and he does seem he's only using good arm and not his injured one but everything else I said he's using both for eating and drinking and sometimes playing and I can't take him to the vet at the moment thank you so much and sorry if I made it confusing (I'm not really good at explaining stuff) and ill be sure to update on him and his arm |
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Post by betty on Jan 15, 2023 5:13:18 GMT -8
No worries. If he isn't using it for any stretching movement - it might not be his hand/arm itself that is hurting, it could be further up. I know that my own shoulder is injured currently and I am certainly not going around playing sports right now either - but I am currently scoffing some apricot jam on toast. I'm right with him.
My advice about the vets still stands if you do contact one - but as long as he is currently eating, drinking and able to sleep comfortably, these are all good signs.
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