Animalscaretips
- Why does my gerbil have one eye closed?
- Why is my gerbil suddenly fat?
- How do I know if my gerbil has had a stroke?
- When should I take my gerbil to the vet?
- How do you save a dying gerbil?
- What is wrong with my gerbil?
- How much does it cost to take a gerbil to the vet?
- How do I clean my gerbils eyes?
- How do you treat gerbil allergies?
- How do I know if my gerbil has a tumor?
- How do you put a gerbil on a diet?
Why does my gerbil have one eye closed?
If a gerbil can't open its eyes, or its eyes are half shut all the time, it may mean your gerbil is ill. Gerbils close their eyes when they sleep. They are susceptible to eye infections (conjunctivitis) and can be allergic to wood shavings as bedding. ...
Why is my gerbil suddenly fat?
Sudden weight gain can indicate heart failure in gerbils. Purchase a digital scale, and weigh your gerbil at least once a week. ... Weight gain may also be a sign of other medical issues, such as kidney failure or tumors. A gerbil with sudden weight gain should always be checked by a veterinarian.
How do I know if my gerbil has had a stroke?
If your gerbil appears paralyzed down one side or is dragging its hind legs, it could have had a stroke. There is not a lot you can do apart from keeping it warm and making sure it has access to food and water. This may mean you have to feed it by hand. If the gerbil is going to recover, it should do so within a week.
When should I take my gerbil to the vet?
A happy gerbil will be active and playful – any listlessness, limping, matted fur or hairless patches on the tail could be a sign that you should get him to the vet. His nose and mouth should be clean, and his teeth should be yellow – yes, you read that right!
How do you save a dying gerbil?
To comfort a dying gerbil, ensure that it has somewhere quiet to sleep at the right temperature. Encourage it to keep eating, providing treats if it refuses pellets. Some dying gerbils enjoy being handled by their owners, but some will only want you to sit nearby. Provide gerbil-safe medication if your pet is in pain.
What is wrong with my gerbil?
Like any animal, a gerbil will sometimes need veterinary treatment. Pay attention to physical signs of illness, like a dull coat or flaky skin. You should also look for changes in behavior, like a dip in energy or a lack of appetite. If you think your gerbil is sick, take it to the vet.
How much does it cost to take a gerbil to the vet?
A vet checkup for a gerbil will generally cost around $40 each time. It's recommended that you take your gerbil in for at least one checkup annually, and it can be a great way to ensure that there are no underlying problems you're not aware of.
How do I clean my gerbils eyes?
Gerbils require sand bathing to keep their coats from becoming oily. Keep your pets in a dry environment and provide soft clay or washed, dry sand as bedding rather than abrasive wood chips. Wipe their eyes as needed with a cotton ball moistened with a few drops of human eye drops – never use plain water.
How do you treat gerbil allergies?
Using Aspen or paper-based bedding is much better for gerbils that have allergies. Another cause for sore gerbil noses is Staphylococci bacilli. Your vet can easily treat this and prescribe an antibiotic ointment. Gerbils kept in a cage will very often get sore noses.
How do I know if my gerbil has a tumor?
Symptoms and Types
For example, tumors found in the gerbil's ventral marking glands are common (especially in older gerbils) and appear as sores, but they rarely spread. Skin tumors are also visible and appear as masses on many parts of the body, including the gerbil's ears and feet.
How do you put a gerbil on a diet?
Give them plenty of variety - fruit (such as pear, melon, apple, oranges) and vegetables (such as cucumber, carrot, pumpkin and fennel) can be used to supplement your gerbils' food pellets. Pumpkin seeds are a healthy treat. Gerbils like to sit up and hold pieces of food to gnaw.
