I make sure to take good care of all the animals that come into my life. But gerbils can take you by surprise in that way, too. This may seem contradictory when weve already talked about showing your gerbil affection in its final days, but you must understand when your gerbil wants to be alone. 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. If youve never kept gerbils before, one thing that might surprise you is their seizures. For example, if bacteria enter a wound, it becomes harder to treat. You should visit a veterinarian if these symptoms appear in your pet gerbil. You must talk to a vet to obtain the correct antibiotics. But the main dangers in captivity that might lead to a short lifespan are improper care and a bad diet. The symptoms of a stroke include difficulty moving or complete paralysis, lethargy, and closed eyes. Try removing all your current bedding and swapping it with another kind. Warmth, fresh water, and food should all be provided. Superficial wounds rarely need intervention and heal quickly. There are 14 species in the genus Meriones. . I think my gerbil Dustie had a stroke yesterday. Either way, gerbils regularly die of old age as the body begins to break down. Various congenital and acquired gastrointestinal conditions that have resulted in sudden unexpected death are discussed. Symptoms of Strokes in Gerbils. This could be the reason why lots of your pets died one after the other. Make sure the vet has diagnosed it as such. A brain aneurysm looks like a seizure when it occurs. There are many reasons why gerbils die, and some have noticeable symptoms. You could also take pictures of your other pets for ease of diagnosis. Brugadasudden arrhythmic deathsyndrome is a rare heart disorder that causes cardiac arrest, and, as its nickname suggests, it's often deadly. If any of these indications appear in your pet gerbil, its critical to bring them to a veterinarian immediately. Seizures in gerbils are essentially the same as epilepsy. Seeing gerbils fight can be traumatic, but if you know how to keep . Remember that some gerbils may hide their symptoms of illness, so you should be observant of your gerbil's behavior and . For example, if there is a limited food resource, the dominant pair will hog the food for themselves. While each seizure wont cause lasting damage, their continuation can cause issues. So while fur loss isn't a definitive sign of old age, it's still worth noting. Because your gerbil continually rubs its belly on things, it can become inflamed. Unfortunately, there is nothing that you can do to help a gerbil that has a stroke. The only exceptions are seizures later in life. % of people told us that this article helped them. Scent glands are found on your gerbil's belly. Gerbils will puff up their fur when they are feeling unwell, so watching for this sign is vital to the health of your pet. If you have other pets or small children, limit their access to ensure that they dont cause further distress. The falls if they are of great height taking into account the size of the animal can cause serious injuries like fractures, contusions and even the death. . 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. Your vet can also give your pet medicine. If you have lots of gerbils, a respiratory infection can pass between them easily. He is hunched up and his breathing is quite heavy making him rock slightly from front to back, his eyes are shut too. In its cage, your gerbil is kept far away from predators that might eat it. Gerbils are small and their health can decline quickly if they're ill. A respiratory infection should be addressed by a vet. Your gerbil moves with your head tilted. As a result, youll need to ensure that your gerbils kept at the right temperature and isnt at risk of getting too hot or cold. Your gerbil's health issues may not have been caused by allergies. Thats how these seizures became common because the gene pool is so small. Both in the wild and in captivity, gerbils are prone to violence. I'll have to get in touch with her. Questions and Comments about the forums. Bloating:A bloated stomach can be caused by gas buildup or fluid retention and can be very painful for your gerbil. If youre unsure whether your gerbil is alive or dead, the best thing to do is contact a veterinarian for help. Shock or fright can also cause death through seizures. Five years old, or any longer, is exceptionally old for a gerbil. If you plan on owning small pets like gerbils, you need to get used to them passing away. By learning more, you can prevent sudden death in your other gerbils. When a much-loved pet dies, its the worst feeling. However, before you arrange a burial for your gerbil, make sure its definitely passed away. Its also likely your gerbil wants to sleep. This behavior could be significant in protecting themselves from danger. Your gerbil dies in90% of cases. By. You may notice symptoms change. So, you might be wondering whether its safe to feed gerbils apple. Colds occur when the upper respiratory tract, i.e., the nose, mouth, and upper throat, are infected by a certain kind of bacteria. What are the signs of a dying gerbil? This causes diarrhea, which then spreads the disease to other individuals, and so on. They will also do this to assess their safety or situation. Signs that your gerbils are fighting include loud squeaking and chasing. Some of these issues can be resolved at home, e.g., by cleaning your pets cage. Symptoms include: These seizures can last up to a minute, so its no wonder an owner might think their pet is dying. You are doing all you can, there may be some antibiotics you could get from the pet store but it might do more harm if there are no other symptoms. There's nothing quite like getting away from it all in nature. Create a warm and comfortable space for your gerbil who has suffered a stroke. The symptoms of a full heart attack are more severe: loss of movement and lack of appetite. Find a fan or move the gerbil to an air-conditioned room. However, its not uncommon for one gerbil to grow bigger than the other. The dead gerbil may be covered in blood and have severe and obvious wounds. You mustnt give your hopes up, though. Last Updated: October 31, 2022 Being overweight and a lack of exercise are two risk factors for strokes in gerbils. [Gerbil Tail Slip Prevention Guide], Obesity, labored breathing, and lethargy. Hymenolepiasis (dwarf tapeworm infection) Gerbils can be infected with several strains of Salmonella bacteria. The symptoms include: Respiratory infections can be cured, as vets provide antibiotics that can reverse these symptoms. A gerbil's eyes can be an indicator of health. Replace the bedding and place your gerbils back in the enclosure. . Causes: Tyzzer's is caused by a bacterium called Clostridium piliforme. A gerbil with heat stroke is weak, dehydrated and can convulse and die. Even though gerbils cant talk, theyre aware of when theyre loved and understand that their human owners care for them. Carefully place surviving cage mates back in. Provide an extra layer of bedding to trap heat and offer gerbils a place to bury into for warmth. References. Besides that, a gerbils heart has to work harder than a human heart. Or, if another gerbil challenges the dominance of the alpha male or female, a fight will surely follow. These scent glands, like any scent gland, are used to mark territory. Its origin may be parasitic, bacterial, an excess of cerumen or a tumor. Checking whether the gerbil is breathing. Prompt veterinary treatment is vital in the form of antibiotics. Drinking less frequently. This means that they are more susceptible to embolisms than humans. Its an oval shape and is a shade darker than the rest of your pets skin. Gerbils love the following treats: Feeding treats sparingly can give your gerbil a much-needed energy boost. To prevent this from happening, go to your veterinarian quickly for proper treatment. This can make it difficult to determine if something is wrong and take appropriate action. For some gerbils, they stop, and for others, they dont. If youre concerned about your gerbil, the first step is to contact a veterinarian. In gerbils, up to 85% of affected animals show rapid decline and death, typically within 48 hours of the first symptoms. As previously mentioned, children and other pets should be supervised whenever theyre in the same room as the gerbil. The blockage causes brain damage, which in turn causes the symptoms of a stroke. Place the rejected gerbil in a separate enclosure. Signs of broken limbs are distorted legs, limping, unwillingness to move, and pained vocalisations. Gerbils can also die from heart disease, liver failure, or cancer. The heart can be under strain long before this, though, which has slightly different symptoms to what we understand as a heart attack.. You should also take the gerbil to the vet if you notice red, puffy eyes; a rough, patchy coat; or a runny nose. Pet gerbils are susceptible to many illnesses and diseases. Also, many owners dont spend much time with their pets. Lack of appetite is another common symptom. It's so rewarding to help pets look and feel their best. Keep reading to learn tips from our Veterinary co-author on how to determine if your gerbils behavior is normal. List of the main problems suffered by gerbils: She remains prostrate in a corner, do not move too much. Take your gerbil to the vet right away if it has a scent gland tumor. So, ensure you feed a good gerbil food mix at regular intervals instead. Take your pet to a veterinarian as soon as possible if you detect any of the symptoms described in this article. This cant be done at home. Respiratory illness. Fleas are small, wingless insects that live in animals' fur (or feathers), sucking blood and causing irritation along the way. Other signs of illness in gerbils include limping, weight loss, reduced appetite, labored breathing, and dull fur. Others will enjoy having you sit next to the cage. 15/01/2010 22:05. that happened to me when i was about 12. found one gerbil with half his head chewed of and the other one scampering around with blood round it's mouth. Off-Topic. gerbils eat meat! Do not use sawdust or anything pine or cedar based. However, in gerbils mortality of 80% or more of animals showing symptoms is common. Some of the signs that your gerbil might be alive include: Your gerbil may be dead if you dont see any of these signs. Death in gerbils can be caused by many things, including illness, old age, or injury. Gerbils live in groups and are susceptible to health issues that are easily passed on. If you observe any of these indicators in your pet gerbil, take it to a veterinarian immediately. But animals suffering from a painful or uncomfortable health condition may need medication to help them feel more at ease with their problem. Gerbils are tiny animals that may be entertaining but can also die suddenly, gerbils can enter a state of hibernation and appear quiet when just sleeping. Gerbils are tiny animals that may be entertaining but can also die suddenly for no apparent cause. About 20% of gerbils will develop seizures. All gerbils have scent glands on their stomachs. If youre concerned about your gerbil, the best option is to contact a veterinarian. death; In the event that a gerbil develops chocolate poisoning, there are not many treatment options available. The various strains are usually species-specific (i.e. Take your gerbil to the vet right away if it has a scent gland tumor. Afterward, to clean and sanitize the cage, follow these steps: If you have other gerbils, keep an eye on them in case they show any signs of illness, especially if your gerbil died from something they can catch. If this is the case, they may not notice that their pet is bloated, inactive, or has a dull coat. Here are several of the most common sounds gerbils make, as well as their meanings. Why Tyzzer's Disease is so serious. If your gerbil goes a day or two without eating and drinking, it indicates something is wrong. . These can cause serious respiratory illnesses in rodents. In all cases, it causes significant dehydration. 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