Post by Shooting Star on Aug 17, 2007 22:01:57 GMT -8
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Degloving and Tail Loss
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Symptoms:
One of the most common accidental injuries in gerbils is degloving, when part of the skin comes off of the tail. The exposed tissue will bleed heavily, and you may be able to see bone.
Causes:
Gerbils’ long tails are fragile, and a sudden tug can cause part of the skin on the tail to detach and slip off the tail as though it were a glove (hence, “degloving”). This is why you should never restrain a gerbil by the tail. If necessary, it is possible to hold a gerbil by the very base of the tail, but never the tip.
Aside from incorrect handling, degloving can also be caused by the tail getting caught in a wheel or wire cage.
Treatment:
As bad as the injury looks, the uncovered section will dry out within a few days or weeks. The gerbil will self-amputate the “dead” portion and the stump will heal over naturally. Even if a significant portion of the tail has been lost, the gerbil will quickly learn to cope without the help of a tail.
The tail should heal without complications, but you will need to see a vet if an infection sets in. You should see a vet right away if the entire tail has been pulled off, as there may be damage beyond where the tail was attached to the body.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Broken Bones
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Symptoms:
The gerbil will avoid putting weight on the broken limb, either by holding it up against the body (usually a front leg), or by dragging it (usually a back leg). The gerbil may become vocal or aggressive when the injured limb is touched, by you or by another gerbil.
Causes:
A broken limb may be caused by any number of things: fighting, a fall, or even the limb having been caught in a wheel or toy. Breaks in the back legs seem to be more common, though.
Treatment:
Breaks usually heal quickly without human intervention, with little permanent effect on mobility. You should not attempt to splint the limb; that may actually cause more damage, as the gerbil may injure itself further, trying to remove the splint.
Keep food and water easily accessible, in the lowest section of the tank (if it has shelves or levels) so that the injured gerbil is not forced to climb. If the gerbil has a broken front leg, it may have trouble holding food. You may need to hand-feed him or her until the leg is well enough to hold food properly.
If the injured limb seems infected or inflamed, or the skin was broken by the initial injury (and you could see bone), take the gerbil to the vet. Repeated breaks may mean that the gerbil’s diet is calcium-deficient; you can supplement the food mix with dog food or cuttlefish bone to provide extra calcium.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fight Wounds
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(coming soon)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Further Information
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Ailments." By Jackie Roswell. National Gerbil Society.
www.gerbils.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/gerbils/ailments.htm
"Gerbil Care Handbook: Health Issues." American Gerbil Society.
www.agsgerbils.org/Gerbil_Care_Handbook/health.php
Degloving and Tail Loss
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Symptoms:
One of the most common accidental injuries in gerbils is degloving, when part of the skin comes off of the tail. The exposed tissue will bleed heavily, and you may be able to see bone.
Causes:
Gerbils’ long tails are fragile, and a sudden tug can cause part of the skin on the tail to detach and slip off the tail as though it were a glove (hence, “degloving”). This is why you should never restrain a gerbil by the tail. If necessary, it is possible to hold a gerbil by the very base of the tail, but never the tip.
Aside from incorrect handling, degloving can also be caused by the tail getting caught in a wheel or wire cage.
Treatment:
As bad as the injury looks, the uncovered section will dry out within a few days or weeks. The gerbil will self-amputate the “dead” portion and the stump will heal over naturally. Even if a significant portion of the tail has been lost, the gerbil will quickly learn to cope without the help of a tail.
The tail should heal without complications, but you will need to see a vet if an infection sets in. You should see a vet right away if the entire tail has been pulled off, as there may be damage beyond where the tail was attached to the body.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Broken Bones
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Symptoms:
The gerbil will avoid putting weight on the broken limb, either by holding it up against the body (usually a front leg), or by dragging it (usually a back leg). The gerbil may become vocal or aggressive when the injured limb is touched, by you or by another gerbil.
Causes:
A broken limb may be caused by any number of things: fighting, a fall, or even the limb having been caught in a wheel or toy. Breaks in the back legs seem to be more common, though.
Treatment:
Breaks usually heal quickly without human intervention, with little permanent effect on mobility. You should not attempt to splint the limb; that may actually cause more damage, as the gerbil may injure itself further, trying to remove the splint.
Keep food and water easily accessible, in the lowest section of the tank (if it has shelves or levels) so that the injured gerbil is not forced to climb. If the gerbil has a broken front leg, it may have trouble holding food. You may need to hand-feed him or her until the leg is well enough to hold food properly.
If the injured limb seems infected or inflamed, or the skin was broken by the initial injury (and you could see bone), take the gerbil to the vet. Repeated breaks may mean that the gerbil’s diet is calcium-deficient; you can supplement the food mix with dog food or cuttlefish bone to provide extra calcium.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fight Wounds
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(coming soon)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Further Information
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Ailments." By Jackie Roswell. National Gerbil Society.
www.gerbils.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/gerbils/ailments.htm
"Gerbil Care Handbook: Health Issues." American Gerbil Society.
www.agsgerbils.org/Gerbil_Care_Handbook/health.php
), late 70s