Gerbil health scare!

[imogen]

Hello all,

Yesterday I moved house, and as such had to do a bit of tactical maneuvers with my two gerbils, Vaughan and Fanta. I had to clean out their tank so the movers could more easily lift it of course, while they played in their exercise balls, and then it was time for the movers to come.

While everything was being moved into the van, the gerbils were in a small pet carry-case with some bedding, egg carton, food and tissue, but these things take time and there was nothing that could hurry the process So they ended up being in this carry case for well over an hour, regrettably. When my mum and I could finally head off in the car, Fanta looked very weak; his back legs seemed to flake out, his eyes were closed and I couldn't see him breathing. It was terrifying because there wasn't anything I could do to help, and I knew I'd only be able to get home and make their new tank of bedding etc as swiftly as possible for them. In the car I covered the transparent carry-case with a blanket so it might feel less scary for them.

I did so, and fortunately Fanta perked up. He has been acting normal since then, much to everyone's relief. But it was a real scare and I don't want to pretend he might not have any damage from the trip. What's worse, this move is only temporary, so at some point he will have to brave another journey again.

Do any of you have tips on how to handle a situation like this? In a stressful situation like moving there's so many plates to spin at once and it's so difficult knowing how to look after the gerbils when you can't let them do as they please. Thank you!

[LilyandDaisy]

I know how terrifying it is when gerbils have these funny turns! It's possible he had a physical reaction to being very stressed, maybe even a seizure. Do you know if ever had seizures when young? If it is solely down to stress, he's unlikely to suffer any permanent damage but obviously keep an eye out in case it happens again.

Next time you move you will obviously want to keep his stress as low as possible. Things you could try would be putting the gerbils in a slightly larger carrier, like a small hamster cage, possibly an enclosed one like this. If they have a bit more space to move around that might help Fanta feel less claustrophobic. You will also then have space to give them a house and things to chew, maybe even a wheel when you're not actually on the road yet. When you're waiting around, try to find the quietest place possible to put the cage and then make it the last thing that goes in the car when you can finally leave. Also give them lots of cardboard, shredded paper and hay to keep them distracted and help them "chew off" any stress.

Another option you could consider if it's possible for you (and if you're not moving too far) might be to leave the gerbils with someone for a day or two so they're not caught up in all the chaos and waiting around. You'd need a smaller cage for them to stay in but you could drop them off with a friend/family member on the morning of the move or the day before, and collect them once you're settled in the new property, and it would just be like you went away for a weekend.

[TJ's Rodent Ranch]

Yes. This is all great advice. Probably LilyandDaisy's are some of the best ways to go with.
Another thing that could work (though it would have to be a short drive from one house to the other) is to make two trips. I've done this for animals in the past so they don't have to be caught up in the chaos of moving. Of course, then you'd have to carry the cage yourself, which is easier said than done for some people (myself included). What this entails is moving everything else before hand, and leaving the tank and gerbils behind for a few hours while you unload, etc. Then come back for the gerbs which are pretty quick generally just putting them in the carrier putting the tank in the trunk/backseat and leaving, no waiting, moving, furniture, and driving chaos.

Of course, for several reasons, this doesn't work for some people, but if it does work for you it's another way to keep the stress to a minimum for them.
I hope the next move goes better for them. Best of luck!

[imogen]

thank you guys, these seem like great tips. Getting a bigger case for them seems obvious now! I will try to make it as much like a home as possible for the future trip, as well as handling it as little as possible. I was trying to carry the small case they were in as carefully as possible, but they might've gotten motion sickness from it all poor boys. But I'll be more cautious next time.

Also, I got them from a Pets At Home and I wasn't told about any previous seizures (though i've known gerbils can easily have them), so I think this is just a reaction to such a radical situation. Fanta has a shyer disposition, a delicate lad <3

[betty]

Bless him - well let's hope it is all behind you both...