Post by joannaf on Jan 1, 2024 9:26:38 GMT -8
Hello. Happy New Year.
One of my gerbils was taken to the vets at the end of November when I noticed a head tilt. There were no other obvious signs of illness otherwise, he was eating fine, chewing tubes, digging etc as normal. I was given Baytril but nothing changed - he still had the head tilt.
Just after Christmas I noticed him turning in circles one way. Took him back to the vets on Friday. The vet said if it has been an ear infection, the antibiotics would have taken care of it last month, so he has decided it must be a tumour of some sort. I have Metacam in the house for one of my others, so asked if that may help and he said it wouldn't hurt to try. The only way to get meds into him now is on a piece of food - he stresses so much when I pick him up and is still turning that I can't syringe anything in.
My boy is probably coming up to 3 in the next few months - he was a rescue so his exact age is unknown. It is heartbreaking to watch him - he seems to be struggling, he does stop to eat but can't get about his tank easily. I have made sure everything is all on one level now. He doesn't go underground to sleep anymore, which he was doing until last week.
I have an appointment at the vets tomorrow evening which I had originally booked as a follow up "incase it's needed" appointment but I am now wondering if it is time to let him go. He has been the healthy one of my 3 - I expected to lose the other two at various times last year but they are still plodding on! - so feeling a bit shocked to be facing losing this one. Have had many gerbils over the years but my only experience of this kind of thing is one old boy who had an ear infection which was treated - he lived with his head tilt until he passed a year or so later.
Just wondered if anyone had any words of wisdom?
One of my gerbils was taken to the vets at the end of November when I noticed a head tilt. There were no other obvious signs of illness otherwise, he was eating fine, chewing tubes, digging etc as normal. I was given Baytril but nothing changed - he still had the head tilt.
Just after Christmas I noticed him turning in circles one way. Took him back to the vets on Friday. The vet said if it has been an ear infection, the antibiotics would have taken care of it last month, so he has decided it must be a tumour of some sort. I have Metacam in the house for one of my others, so asked if that may help and he said it wouldn't hurt to try. The only way to get meds into him now is on a piece of food - he stresses so much when I pick him up and is still turning that I can't syringe anything in.
My boy is probably coming up to 3 in the next few months - he was a rescue so his exact age is unknown. It is heartbreaking to watch him - he seems to be struggling, he does stop to eat but can't get about his tank easily. I have made sure everything is all on one level now. He doesn't go underground to sleep anymore, which he was doing until last week.
I have an appointment at the vets tomorrow evening which I had originally booked as a follow up "incase it's needed" appointment but I am now wondering if it is time to let him go. He has been the healthy one of my 3 - I expected to lose the other two at various times last year but they are still plodding on! - so feeling a bit shocked to be facing losing this one. Have had many gerbils over the years but my only experience of this kind of thing is one old boy who had an ear infection which was treated - he lived with his head tilt until he passed a year or so later.
Just wondered if anyone had any words of wisdom?
. Unfortunately my favourite and most experienced vet is on holiday.
A bowl may be easier for him to drink, a shallow one. I would ask the vet if a new antibiotic may help and see how he is doing tonight and tomorrow before you go. I would watch him sleep to see if he seems comfortable or not and if he can move around okay and do his normal stuff. Good luck and just explain how he is acting and what the vet may say if he seems in pain. Take great care, it's a hard decision, just do what is best for him and that is all you can do. You can search quality of life for gerbils and see if that may help you decide what to do.