Post by megsgerbils on Mar 8, 2023 13:30:11 GMT -8
Hi all,
One of my gerbs, Pippy, is 2 years and 6 months old. We noticed over the last few months that she seems to drink more than our other gerbils, and also wees a lot more. We kept an eye on her and she was otherwise as happy and active as ever, so this may be irrelevant to our current issue.
On 4 days ago I noticed a swelling on her stomach. It seems to be more on one side, like a lump. I can’t get a good hold of her, but it doesn’t feel hard from what I have felt. She is chunky, so it’s hard to see and her whole tummy looks a bit more swollen, but there is definitely more of a lump on one side. Her behaviour was also drastically different. She was sleeping out in the open, looking rough and very lethargic but still eating and drinking. She would not come and say hello like usual though.
Went to the exotic vet as soon as I noticed it. He wanted to do an ultrasound to see if it was a tumour, but that was going to cost £160. I asked about other options and he said we could try antibiotics as it could be an infection. I opted for antibiotics and she has so far had 3 doses. Vet said she should improve in 2-4 days if an infection is the cause. She is still sleeping out in the open, still has a lump but is much less lethargic, eating and drinking well and is even coming out to say hello.
I will be giving it more time to see if the antibiotics are having an effect, and will be going back to the vets ASAP if I’m worried. But, has anyone any idea what this could be? Could it be a tumour? It may have been there for some time and we just haven’t noticed as it’s not obvious when you first look at her, but I’m sure I’d have noticed it sooner. Should the lump be going down in size if this is indeed an infection and she is getting better?
I desperately don’t want her to suffer but also want to give her body a fighting chance of responding to treatment so this is a really hard time :-(
One of my gerbs, Pippy, is 2 years and 6 months old. We noticed over the last few months that she seems to drink more than our other gerbils, and also wees a lot more. We kept an eye on her and she was otherwise as happy and active as ever, so this may be irrelevant to our current issue.
On 4 days ago I noticed a swelling on her stomach. It seems to be more on one side, like a lump. I can’t get a good hold of her, but it doesn’t feel hard from what I have felt. She is chunky, so it’s hard to see and her whole tummy looks a bit more swollen, but there is definitely more of a lump on one side. Her behaviour was also drastically different. She was sleeping out in the open, looking rough and very lethargic but still eating and drinking. She would not come and say hello like usual though.
Went to the exotic vet as soon as I noticed it. He wanted to do an ultrasound to see if it was a tumour, but that was going to cost £160. I asked about other options and he said we could try antibiotics as it could be an infection. I opted for antibiotics and she has so far had 3 doses. Vet said she should improve in 2-4 days if an infection is the cause. She is still sleeping out in the open, still has a lump but is much less lethargic, eating and drinking well and is even coming out to say hello.
I will be giving it more time to see if the antibiotics are having an effect, and will be going back to the vets ASAP if I’m worried. But, has anyone any idea what this could be? Could it be a tumour? It may have been there for some time and we just haven’t noticed as it’s not obvious when you first look at her, but I’m sure I’d have noticed it sooner. Should the lump be going down in size if this is indeed an infection and she is getting better?
I desperately don’t want her to suffer but also want to give her body a fighting chance of responding to treatment so this is a really hard time :-(
I would give the meds' more time and if she seems to be improving, then continue as long as the vet said to. It could also be an abscess, which could also burst on it's own, it can take days for that to happen and antibiotics will help. Stay strong and go day by day. Take care.