Gerbil groups have one dominant pair, which breed together, and several other subordinate gerbils surround them. But animals suffering from a painful or uncomfortable health condition may need medication to help them feel more at ease with their problem. If you dont get to spend much time with your pet, you may not notice these conditions developing. Gerbils chirp to communicate with each, If a gerbil cant 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.. It is basic that they are housed in a proper cage, have a good diet and clean water always available. A clean cage with toys can dramatically improve their pleasure and quality of life. It will only gradually recover the use of its limbs. Often the gerbil dies immediately. A dying gerbil displays the following signs: When your gerbil starts to die, you must keep checking in on your pet to ensure its not in pain and has everything it needs to be comfortable. Dying of old age isnt common among wild animals. [Gerbil Tail Slip Prevention Guide]. So, when a gerbil dies, it can take you by surprise. If youre unsure whether your gerbil is alive or dead, the best thing to do is contact a veterinarian for help. He is hunched up and his breathing is quite heavy making him rock slightly from front to back, his eyes are shut too. If your gerbils keep dying and you dont know why you must consult a vet. Unfortunately, this damages the skin irreparably and can cause tumors. Its also likely your gerbil wants to sleep. These can cause serious respiratory illnesses in rodents. More commonly known as a heart attack, heart failure means that one of the arteries in the heart has become blocked. The average weight is 50-55 g for females and 60 g for males. Know that there is no treatment. If you have a gerbil near death, its critical to do everything you can to preserve its life. A pet's death can hurt more than losing a fellow human . Reduced activity is one of the most typical indications . Tularemia. Spray and clean the enclosure with an antibacterial spray. This is a difficult process and one that will take time. Without a quick reaction, your rodent can die in a few hours. Stress can speed up the process of death and make the gerbil uncomfortable in its final hours. The symptoms of a scent gland tumor include dryness and extra baldness on your gerbils stomach, flaky skin and loose powdery dust, redness and swelling, and small hard lumpy patches. Antibiotics will clear up respiratory infections and infected wounds. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. I've always been an animal lover, and I've worked in the pet industry. One Raindrop Raises The Sea - First code of . You must talk to a vet to obtain the correct antibiotics. Lethargy is another frequent indication that a gerbil is dying. Mucus catches bacteria, and the whole lot is expelled through the nose. While they do show signs of aging, these arent as obvious as they are in people. All gerbils have long hind feet and fairly large ears and eyes, but there is variation among other characteristics. I love animals, and I have three beautiful boys. When a gerbil is dying, there are typically some apparent symptoms. According to PLoS One, some species of gerbil are particularly prone to both diabetes and obesity. Scent glands are found on your gerbil's belly. Remove excess bedding to prevent too much heat from being trapped. Why Do Gerbils Tails Fall Off? You may not notice the behavioral signs of this occurring. If you suspect an infestation of bugs like cockroaches or fleas may have caused the parasites, you should make an effort to eliminate these pests. There is no treatment for strokes in gerbils. Another common sign of gerbil death is loss of appetite. There are several illnesses your gerbil might be experiencing, including hypothermia, diarrhea, dehydration, mites, and poisoning. Find a fan or move the gerbil to an air-conditioned room. However, if separating the gerbils isnt possible, place a nesting box inside the tank so that your dying gerbil can separate itself and find some peace. These may be unrelated to seizures caused by genetics. What does threaten your gerbils health is when they attack each other with their teeth. If you think your gerbil is dying, acting fast is essential. If they do not, take them to the vet immediately. This means that they are more susceptible to embolisms than humans. Remove the tanks bedding and dispose of it. The symptoms include: Respiratory infections can be cured, as vets provide antibiotics that can reverse these symptoms. Only for Administrators, Global Moderators, Moderators and Helpers. Gerbils, like the majority of rodents, adore exercise wheels. If your gerbil starts showing signs of pain, you must manage your pets discomfort. I'm currently a pet groomer, and I love it. If you are unsure what to do, its essential to seek veterinary help immediately. The deterioration is usually quick, meaning it sometimes takes owners by surprise. Questions and Comments about the forums. Chirping, at its rawest, is the sound they make when they want attention. in an empty bathtub, Remove the old bedding from your gerbils cage, Clean the walls of your gerbils enclosure with antibacterial spray, Replace the bedding with new, clean bedding, and only then put your gerbils back inside their enclosure. . Your pet may appear healthy and happy, and the next moment is dead. Its easy to mistreat a gerbil unintentionally. Cereal boxes. If your gerbil died of something contagious, the problem could affect your other gerbils. The surgeon will use a scalpel to remove the tumor with your pet under anesthetic. The loud noises and bright lights of a house can also cause stress. However, in gerbils mortality of 80% or more of animals showing symptoms is common. Take your gerbil to the vet right away if it has a scent gland tumor. Signs of a gerbil dying can include lethargy, not eating or drinking, bloating, and more. Unfortunately, neglect is one of the most common reasons why captive gerbils die. So, its likely that your gerbil died of something other than age-related issues. While youll need to be careful of any health conditions, feeding your pet its favorite treats is an excellent way to provide it with some enjoyment in its last days. You may also notice . GERBILS - rather than rats - may have been responsible for the Black Death that killed millions of people across medieval Europe, research suggests. If you're not sure whether your gerbil is dying, keep an eye . Not only is this good for your pet, but itll help you to find some peace and say your goodbyes. Vertigo, nausea, confusion and other symptoms of the rare inner ear problem had m ade everyday tasks - from . And again, Thank you so much for your time and all of the valuable information. Their symptoms, like seizures and swelling, have a quick onset. In captivity, it cant escape the cage. Lethargy, weight loss, hair loss, and seizures are all possible symptoms of a dying gerbil. It looks like theyre licking or nibbling at each others fur. Select Post. When your gerbil is in the final stages of life, you can be a bit more relaxed with the number of treats you feed it. Save my name and email in this browser for the next time I comment. Tyzzers disease is far more severe than that. Treatment: If you tough about putting on a cast, good luck! This should only cost $20 to $40. However, you must bear in mind that the kindest course of action may be to euthanize your gerbil to stop it from suffering, especially if its already close to death. To prevent your gerbil from getting cold: Ensure the room it lives in is kept between 65-75 degrees. What are the signs of a dying gerbil? Seizures are fairly common. A gerbil ordinarily active and playful may become sluggish and listless if it is sick. When this occurs, you may never learn why. Despite its status as a healthy rodent, your gerbil is quite sensitive to bacterial, viral and parasitic infections. Your gerbil may find comfort in hearing your voice and sensing your presence, especially if its attached to you. Allergies. Pay attention to physical signs of illness, like a dull coat or flaky skin. If you think your gerbil may be dead, check for signs of life such as movement, breathing, or a heartbeat. You may notice your gerbil twitches, goes into a mild trance, or has some muscle convulsions. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 106,652 times. People with epilepsy try to avoid these triggers. Sadly, nearly 80% of all gerbils who begin showing symptoms of the disease die within 48 hours. However, like other animals, they are vulnerable to sickness and mortality. Some gerbils show neurological symptoms or go into heart failure, depending on where the toxin strikes. 2. RIs are like severe colds, where your gerbils nose and throat become blocked with snot. In that case, you can not do anything but amputate the exposed area, which must be done by a veterinarian. Gus, the Class Pet Who Slit His Wrists on a Tape Dispenser. Gerbil of the Month (Photo Contest) Winners. Diarrhea:diarrhea can have a nutritional or infectious origin (viral, bacterial or parasitic). First, make sure they are warm and comfortable. Their symptoms, like seizures and swelling, have a quick onset. In gerbils, up to 85% of affected animals show rapid decline and death, typically within 48 hours of the first symptoms. As soon as you find something, take your gerbil to the vet. If any of these indications appear in your pet gerbil, its critical to bring them to a veterinarian immediately. Before an animal reaches an age at which its body shuts down, it succumbs to something else: a predator, the weather, a trap, or something else entirely. There is no cure, although your pet may recover on its own. Early identification and treatment are often essential for a positive outcome in a sick gerbil. "I found my gerbil stretched across her cage not moving, but breathing very slowly. A broken bone is very painful, so a trip to the vet is needed. This means that if your gerbils are consistently dying with the symptoms described above, Tyzzers disease is the issue. . If at that time we can not, you have to put it in a cool place and wet your extremities with warm water (avoid cold water) and if you have swallowing reflex give it with a syringe or a dropper some water or sugary whey. As a new owner, you may not know why your gerbil jumps around so, Gerbils become like family members. Other rodents use urine, but gerbils use a sticky orange substance to conserve water. The head and body length is 95-180 mm, and tail length is 100-193 mm. Close. I make sure to take good care of all the animals that come into my life. Not only can this prevent hunger, but it gives you a final chance to bond. One Mongolian species (Meriones unguiculatus) is a gentle and hardy animal that has become a popular pet. Something may be able to be done to save them, but the sooner you seek help for them, the better their chances are. Once your gerbil gets this disease, he or she will need a lot of care to help him or her pull through. 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