Hi there, today I came home from work and I noticed that my gerbil was laying on top of his bedding and not inside the bedding. Hes responsive but as soon as I talk to him he looks up then lays back down. His breathing is very rapid and he seems to be very lethargic. Last night he was fine as I always keep a good eye on him to make sure hes okay. I feed him regularly and give him good clean water every day. The only thing that has changed is that I've given him a thicker kitchen roll tube to chew on, I've given him it before and its never seemed to affect him but I don't know what else could be wrong with him.
Please someone advise me what to do, is he dying or just sick and needs to visit the vet?
Thank you for your time.
These are the first warning signs that a small animal is ill. I suggest that you get him to a vet as soon as possible, as small pets go downhill very quickly, particularly if they are left untreated . until you can have him seen by a vet, make sure that he has plenty of clean fresh water, you may want to try offering him some if he has not been responding. if he hasnt been eating, you may also wish to try tempting him with food, but be careful not to stress him (im not sure about gerbils, but rabbits have to eat around the clock in order to keep their bowels moving) check his conditions as well:
pets question and answers,www.5d2d.com -Is his bedding clean and comfortable?
-Does he have fresh water, food etc
-Is it cool, (an appropriate temperature that he is used to)
-Is there enough ventilation in his cage, or is it dusty and/or stuffy
even if you find something wrong with his surroundings, and fix it; do not assume that the problem will then disappear, you must get him seen by a vet!!
good luck:)
That sounds like a classic reperaatory infection. Gerbils do fine in hot weather. At the pet store, there is a brand of bird antibiotic called either tetracycline or ornacycline. Follow the dosage for a small bird and mix that with his water. You can take him to the vet if you'd like, but act quickly, especially if he's young. Its a quick killer ...:/
Can he move? Just wondering if he has had a stroke , or a nasty fall.
Is he too hot? Hence the rapid breathing?
Is he old for a gerbil, say around 4 years?
I'd take him to a vets as soon as you can. Good luck to you both:)
talk to him
How long has he been like this?
pets question and answers,www.5d2d.com Is the temperature hot where you live? If so get a fan out and point it near the cage but not strong enough to blow the bedding everywhere.
If its not hot he might be ill, hold him and offer him some food and water off your finger, if he doesn't take it, put it near his bed in the cage. Try and hold him to listen to his breathing, if it sounds like there is mucus in his throat then he needs a vet if its clear but still fast keep an eye on him for about half an hour if its still like this he needs a vet.
Try ringing a vet and asking them what it could be, they might offer you idea's for help or ask you to bring him in.
I hope he's ok.
