List of the main diseases that affect gerbils. They can be scary, but are usually not a sign of another illness. Gerbils numbers would increase, he said, whenever a hot summer followed a wet spring. Sometimes gerbils die when youre least expecting it. Shock or fright can also cause death through seizures. I don't know if your gerbil is dying, but you should take it to the vet, because if sounds really sick. So, take your pet in for your vet to look at. Thus, the incidence and severity of clinical symptoms in gerbils were positively correlated with infection dose. At this point, the choice is yours to place your deceased gerbil in a box and perform a burial. There might be a reason why your gerbil has died suddenly. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Why Does My Gerbil Keep Jumping Up and Down? . There are 14 species in the genus Meriones. The rough limit for a gerbils lifespan is three to five years, at the absolute maximum. It can also hypertrophy. Some will want to curl up on their owners lap. The treatmentconsists of local disinfection and antibiotic therapy. Questions and Comments about the forums. A gerbil that's close to death won't eat from this hoard or go foraging for food. So, if youre ever wondering, is my gerbil dead? after finding it unresponsive in its cage, theres a good chance that it may have simply passed away from old age. These can cause serious respiratory illnesses in rodents. Wounds and cuts: either by fights, by scrapes with elements in the cage or by self-mutilation, a gerbil can show wounds in any part of his body. It may be a bad sign if your gerbils need disappears or it only eats tiny amounts. Hosting A Camp; Camp Forms; Staff Clean and disinfect your gerbil's cage thoroughly. The fix depends on the cause. Vets are used to diagnosing problems, even rare ones that arent seen often. A friend told me she did . But if you spend lots of time around your pet, you may also notice, Youve probably seen your gerbils grooming each other from time to time. The pet and laboratory gerbil is Meriones unguiculatus, commonly known as the Mongolian gerbil. This high level of activity, plus the gerbils natural susceptibility to heart disease, means that the condition is common. Any gerbil is going to pay attention to what is happening outside its habitat. If you have other gerbils in the enclosure, a dead tankmate risks their health, especially if the gerbil had a contagious condition. They will also do this to assess their safety or situation. Gus, the Class Pet Who Slit His Wrists on a Tape Dispenser. Learn more. Many conditions have a slow onset. This cant be done at home. Externally, gerbils are quite ratlike. So, you might be wondering whether its safe to feed gerbils apple. Once it hits the bedding, its absorbed, becoming hot. . One of the first things you should do if you think your gerbil might be dead is to check for signs of life. Gerbils from Asia rather than black rats were responsible for repeated outbreaks of the bubonic plague in Europe, a study suggests. Whatever you do, though, do it quickly. Chirping is the most common sound that gerbils make. Scent glands are found on your gerbil's belly. They jump up and down frequently for various reasons. Its origin may be parasitic, bacterial, an excess of cerumen or a tumor. The bacteria that causes it, Clostridium piliforme, spreads through spores and is highly resistant to antibiotics and antiseptics. Make use of as much bedding as appropriate. In people, this structure is a connected circle shape. If youve never kept gerbils before, one thing that might surprise you is their seizures. These dominant gerbils can frequently fight with others. Keep reading to learn tips from our Veterinary co-author on how to determine if your gerbils behavior is normal. Provide extra bedding and a possible heat pad to remain warm when your gerbil isn't able to maintain its body temperature the way it used to. However, its not uncommon for one gerbil to grow bigger than the other. But gerbils can take you by surprise in that way, too. In captivity, a defeated gerbil has nowhere to escape, forcing the fight to go on until death. Your gerbil will show slimming, dejection, hair loss and diarrhea to promote dehydration. I make sure to take good care of all the animals that come into my life. During their waking hours, they are full of energy and can make a lot of noise. Copyright 2016 Click Mag Theme. Your veterinarian will probably prescribean antibioticas well as alocal disinfectionto do. The veterinarian must perform the relevant tests to know what is the reason for the dermatitis or alopecia of the gerbil and thus give it the appropriate treatment. The head and body length is 95-180 mm, and tail length is 100-193 mm. Sign up for wikiHow's weekly email newsletter. Save my name and email in this browser for the next time I comment. However, before you arrange a burial for your gerbil, make sure its definitely passed away. ), but gerbils are vulnerable to several different . Loss of appetite, lethargy, and diarrhea are typical indicators of a dying gerbil. 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. This can happen if the gerbil is held by the tail, if it is fought with another partner or if the tail is hooked with some element of the cage. In this case, it is necessary to place it in a comfortable and warm place and notify the veterinarian promptly. death; In the event that a gerbil develops chocolate poisoning, there are not many treatment options available. It is therefore better to find out quickly to clean all the habitat of your rodent and try to save it if possible. If your gerbil starts showing signs of pain, you must manage your pets discomfort. Stress is commoner in younger gerbils. In more severe cases, your gerbil may be entirely paralyzed. Scent gland tumors are more common in male gerbils, but can occasionally be found in females. So the lifespan of a captive or pet gerbil is a lot longer than that of wild gerbils. This is a neurochemical thats also known as the love hormone. It lowers blood pressure and decreases cortisol, helping gerbils feel more relaxed. They're all grown now, but they keep me busy! There's nothing quite like getting away from it all in nature. I think my gerbil (the last of 2) is dying. Eye problems occur, especially cataracts. Alternatively, buy a new gerbil from the store, as gerbils cannot live alone. Respiratory problems: may be caused by allergies (especially to the substrate) or by infectious processes, whether contagious or opportunistic. However, dont leave your gerbil to suffer. If you plan on owning small pets like gerbils, you need to get used to them passing away. Warmth, fresh water, and food should all be provided. But the main dangers in captivity that might lead to a short lifespan are improper care and a bad diet. Use antibacterial cleaning agents in the cage. I've always been an animal lover, and I've worked in the pet industry. A brain aneurysm looks like a seizure when it occurs. Sometimes no clinical signs are observed, but your gerbil dies. You may notice your gerbil twitches, goes into a mild trance, or has some muscle convulsions. He is hunched up and his breathing is quite heavy making him rock slightly from front to back, his eyes are shut too. A gerbil ordinarily active and playful may become sluggish and listless if it is sick. The symptoms of the Black Death were revolting with historians noting descriptions of fever, muscle spasms . [7] If your gerbil contracts Tyzzer's disease, its condition will probably deteriorate very quickly. Why Do Gerbils Tails Fall Off? If your gerbils loud at night, you might find, Like all animals, gerbils need to blink to keep their eyes moist and clean of debris. A gerbil's eyes can be an indicator of health. Its distressing to watch a pet, Gerbils are highly active animals. Keep the enclosures lid on to trap warmth if its not already. Diarrhoea does not always appear. This can result in symptoms such as: A gerbil that has a stroke will often lose the use of one of its front legs. If you didnt spot any symptoms before your gerbils passing, then you cant tell what killed it. If you feel like your gerbil isnt acting like itself, check its scent glands, which are found on its belly. Your gerbil's health issues may not have been caused by allergies. Feeding treats is better than nothing and allows them to receive some sustenance to keep their energy levels stable. Other Animal Species. If there hasn't been any change in a few days, it's time to give your vet . Alternatively, switch it off for a few days. Thats how these seizures became common because the gene pool is so small. Sometimes, gerbils can enter a state of hibernation and appear quiet when just sleeping. 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. Gerbils will fight to the death to ensure their dominance. Provide an extra layer of bedding to trap heat and offer gerbils a place to bury into for warmth. Guest Board. This bacteria can spread deeper into the lungs. Your gerbil will lose control of its body and may collapse onto its side or back. You will also have to make sure to limit his anxious state. There are several illnesses your gerbil might be experiencing, including hypothermia, diarrhea, dehydration, mites, and poisoning. Ovarian cysts manifest the fastest out of all the possible causes of a bloated look in gerbils. A dying gerbil displays the following signs: Loss of appetite. While each seizure wont cause lasting damage, their continuation can cause issues. However, these seizures dont kill gerbils. Gerbil groups have one dominant pair, which breed together, and several other subordinate gerbils surround them. Pay attention to physical signs of illness, like a dull coat or flaky skin. "Told me that my gerbil is probably sick.". This means that if your gerbils are consistently dying with the symptoms described above, Tyzzers disease is the issue. This has immediate effects and can kill instantly. Clean the enclosure consistently each week. Keep reading to learn tips from our Veterinary co-author on how to determine if your gerbils behavior is normal. In that case, you can not do anything but amputate the exposed area, which must be done by a veterinarian. Causes: Falls, fights, wheel with bars. But it can be difficult to figure out what caused your gerbil to die. Gerbils are especially susceptible because of the structure of their brains. The gerbil will learn to adapt to the loss and will hardly notice its injury. Like humans, gerbils may occasionally catch a cold. The surgeon will use a scalpel to remove the tumor with your pet under anesthetic. Reduced activity is one of the most typical indications that a gerbil is dying. Diarrhea is also a common symptom in dying gerbils. Symptoms of Strokes in Gerbils. 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. Additionally, many people may not know what to do if their gerbil dies. Early identification and treatment are often essential for a positive outcome in a sick gerbil. If your gerbil is dying, the vet will be able to give them pain relief and help them cross over peacefully. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Why Is One of My Gerbils Bigger than the Other? Gerbils can be vicious creatures. The results of the q -square test indicate a sex-bias with females more likely dying of the infection and/or not being visibly sick ( X -squared = 16.157, df = 2, P . Therefore, a runny nose can be mistaken for a bleeding nose. It may be time to bid farewell if your gerbil does not respond to treatment. Games Board. If you have multiple gerbils in the cage, its a good idea to isolate your dying gerbil. Contact your Fort Collins vet immediately if your pet gerbil . The gerbils mucus is red and can be confused with blood. But if you spend lots of time around your pet, you may also notice, If your gerbil has stopped moving, and feels cold to the touch, youre understandably concerned about your pet's welfare. I'm currently a pet groomer, and I love it. Like any animal, a gerbil will sometimes need veterinary treatment. This causes diarrhea, which then spreads the disease to other individuals, and so on. Bloating:A bloated stomach can be caused by gas buildup or fluid retention and can be very painful for your gerbil. Therefore its critical to get your gerbil to the veterinarian as soon as possible. You can spot these fights before they occur. It plays a role in the appearance ofnasal dermatitis. If you think your gerbil is dying, there are some things you can do to try and save them. About 20% of gerbils will develop seizures. Gerbils can be infected with several strains of Salmonella bacteria. Gerbils are tiny animals that may be entertaining but can also die suddenly for no apparent cause. Strokes, also known as brain aneurysms, occur when a blood vessel bursts in the brain. However, gerbils only have a lifespan of approximately 3-5 years, depending on the species. However, death by old age is noticeable. Signs of infection include diarrhea, dehydration, weight loss, rough hair coat, a swollen or bloated abdomen, or fetal death in a pregnant female. Gerbils only live to about three years old on average. Causes: Tyzzer's is caused by a bacterium called Clostridium piliforme. The tumors must be removed surgically, today there are many clinics prepared for it. Know that there is no treatment. These may be unrelated to seizures caused by genetics. This grisly behavior is difficult to understand, but there are good reasons why it happens. Your gerbil can also become stressed because of other reasons. If you have other gerbils, you should try to learn why your gerbil got sick and died. Give your gerbil a good check once a week, looking for bald patches running your finger over its belly. Remove the tanks bedding and dispose of it. This is a problem because good care is key to good health. If your gerbil appears to have a reddish nose, its nose is likely running and it may need treatment for an allergic reaction or respiratory issue. In its cage, your gerbil is kept far away from predators that might eat it. It looks like theyre licking or nibbling at each others fur. gerbil is unresponsive when you pick it up, Why Do Gerbils Tails Fall Off? However, this is still far higher than that of a person. A gerbil can die from a stroke, so take your pet to the vet. Stroke mortality represents the third leading cause of death worldwide, after coronary artery disease and cancer. Moderator's Board. Member Website Links. Why Camp? Your vet can also give your pet medicine. The symptoms of a stroke include difficulty moving or complete paralysis, lethargy, and closed eyes. Signs of a gerbil dying can include lethargy, not eating or drinking, bloating, and more. In most cases, nature will take hold and run its course. You may notice symptoms change. 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