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. . Shock or fright can also cause death through seizures. Remove your gerbil and separate it from other cage mates. Encourage it to keep eating, providing treats if it refuses pellets. I've always been an animal lover, and I've worked in the pet industry. This is why its essential to move the bedding out of the sun. There are many reasons why gerbils die, and some have noticeable symptoms. Member Website Links. When a gerbil is dying, there are typically some apparent symptoms. Look for fast growth. Antibiotics are necessary to combat infected wounds and colds. Another of the facts about gerbils is that they are omnivorous, which means they'll eat both plant and animal material. Gerbils from Asia rather than black rats were responsible for repeated outbreaks of the bubonic plague in Europe, a study suggests. The unfortunate outcome of these fights can be sudden death. If your gerbil died suddenly, no doubt youre sad and want to understand why it happened. Of all the animals, people are the only ones that can now regularly survive to old age. Gerbils numbers would increase, he said, whenever a hot summer followed a wet spring. A gerbil can die from a stroke, so take your pet to the vet. The gerbil will learn to adapt to the loss and will hardly notice its injury. By Rebecca Perring. What does threaten your gerbils health is when they attack each other with their teeth. You may notice your gerbil twitches, goes into a mild trance, or has some muscle convulsions. Unfortunately, because gerbils only have a short lifespan, theres not a lot you can do once their bodies start to shut down. Thus, the incidence and severity of clinical symptoms in gerbils were positively correlated with infection dose. While this does incur a small cost, its necessary if you cant figure out the issue on your own. You have to go urgently to the veterinarian. Provide them either a cage ball or a 6 - 8 inch wheel so they may run around as though nothing is preventing them. Infinity Sports. Save my name and email in this browser for the next time I comment. So, when they grow old and very ill, youll want to ensure that theyre comfortable until the very end. . Clean the enclosure consistently each week. However, its not uncommon for one gerbil to grow bigger than the other. Or, if another gerbil challenges the dominance of the alpha male or female, a fight will surely follow. (who is kind of the wild one) and put her in her own box with food and water. They took the assigned diet for an additional three weeks. If you think your gerbil is dying, acting fast is essential. Take the gerbil out of the cage when you notice its passed away. Any change in their behavior such as lethargy, weight loss, sudden aggressiveness, dirty hair or agitated breathing can be indicative that something is not right. Their symptoms, like seizures and swelling, have a quick onset. Mucus catches bacteria, and the whole lot is expelled through the nose. Whatever you do, though, do it quickly. Leaving the piece of lacerated tail is a significant risk of new injuries and infections that can compromise your life. Early identification and treatment are often essential for a positive outcome in a sick gerbil. Even though gerbils cant talk, theyre aware of when theyre loved and understand that their human owners care for them. It can be stressful to think that your gerbil might be sick, but there are signs you can look for that will tell you whether its time to visit the vet. They're all grown now, but they keep me busy! Consider moving one of its friendly brothers or sisters in with it. Apr 6, 2016. Posts: 5,158. According to Physiology, when animals are petted, oxytocin is released in their brains. Its origin may be parasitic, bacterial, an excess of cerumen or a tumor. This prevents them from disturbing the animal or making it stressed. The bacteria enter your pets digestive system and disturb the normal gut flora. Strokes affect other animals in the same way that they affect us. The symptoms of heart failure in gerbils include: So, if you noticed any of these symptoms before your gerbil passed away, the issue may have been heart failure. Gerbils, like the majority of rodents, adore exercise wheels. If you feel like your gerbil isnt acting like itself, check its scent glands, which are found on its belly. If you have a gerbil near death, its critical to do everything you can to preserve its life. Applesauce, sugar-free baby food, lukewarm cooked oatmeal, or mashed up soft cooked vegetables are good foods for your gerbil to eat. Ensure the room it lives in is kept between 65-75 degrees. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 106,652 times. These heal and reappear over time if your gerbil doesnt stop. Strokes, also known as brain aneurysms, occur when a blood vessel bursts in the brain. You can also try offering them small amounts of food and water to see if they will eat or drink. A doctor will be able to determine whether or not your gerbil is terminally ill and can provide you with instructions on how to care for it as it approaches death. This will help to determine the cause of death and enable you to take steps to prevent it from happening again. I have a rubber gerbil and cat ears! But it, Like all animals, gerbils need to blink to keep their eyes moist and clean of debris. Gerbils are very sensitive to temperature changes, and something as innocent as keeping your buddy's cage too near an AC vent can cause problems with your little pet. The various strains are usually species-specific (i.e. If you cannot save your gerbil, it is essential to euthanize it humanely. You will notice a hard lump forming around the scent gland if your gerbil is sick. However, just because you dont see any signs of life doesnt mean your gerbil is dead. A gerbil that refuses to eat or has a declining appetite might be ill. 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. And again, Thank you so much for your time and all of the valuable information. . This article has been viewed 106,652 times. To prevent this from happening, follow these guidelines: If the gerbil died from an issue related to its health, you should consider changing your gerbils food. Over time, your gerbils organs like its heart, kidneys, and liver will begin to fail. Various congenital and acquired gastrointestinal conditions that have resulted in sudden unexpected death are discussed. If they suddenly stop doing their usual activities and start to watch something, this is out of curiosity. Others can only be fixed by a vet, like a tumor on your pets scent gland. Observe for several minutes in case the breathing has slowed to an unnoticeable rate. 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. He also stayed mostly to himself and stopped eating and drinking. Common signs of a gerbil near death include lack of energy, loss of appetite, and difficulty breathing. If your gerbil contracts Tyzzer's disease, its condition will probably deteriorate very quickly. They will make loud squeaking noises at one another. [Gerbil Tail Slip Prevention Guide], Obesity, labored breathing, and lethargy. If youve ever met somebody with epilepsy, you might know that epileptic fits have triggers. These are things like flashing lights, for example, which directly cause a seizure. You may even need to start hand-feeding the gerbil for a short while so that it gets the nutrients it needs. Sign up for wikiHow's weekly email newsletter. Gerbils as more susceptible to strokes than many other animals. If you think your gerbil is dying, the most important thing is to get them to the vet immediately. Home; Church. Your pet can die of respiratory infections. To prevent your gerbil from getting cold: Ensure the room it lives in is kept between 65-75 degrees. A clean cage with toys can dramatically improve their pleasure and quality of life. It may be a bad sign if your gerbils need disappears or it only eats tiny amounts. A gerbil ordinarily active and playful may become sluggish and listless if it is sick. Gerbil groups have one dominant pair, which breed together, and several other subordinate gerbils surround them. Cereal boxes. If there hasn't been any change in a few days, it's time to give your vet . 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. You should also look for changes in behavior, like a dip in energy or a lack of appetite. gerbil, (subfamily Gerbillinae), any of more than 110 species of African, Indian, and Asian rodents, including sand rats and jirds, all of which are adapted to arid habitats. Scent gland tumors are more common in male gerbils, but can occasionally be found in females. Despite its status as a healthy rodent, your gerbil is quite sensitive to bacterial, viral and parasitic infections. Remember that some gerbils may hide their symptoms of illness, so you should be observant of your gerbil's behavior and . It may be time to bid farewell if your gerbil does not respond to treatment. Either way, gerbils regularly die of old age as the body begins to break down. Look at your gerbil's eyes. Lethargy is another frequent indication that a gerbil is dying. Therefore, a runny nose can be mistaken for a bleeding nose. However, dont leave your gerbil to suffer. Like all rodents, any disease can be fatal. They are energetic and fun, and they enjoy exploring their surroundings. But this may not be possible. If your gerbil stops eating or drinking water, you must bring them to the veterinarian immediately. A respiratory problem in a gerbil can be serious and can be the cause of a sudden death if it is not treated. 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. They will also do this to assess their safety or situation. In addition to changing the bedding, take your gerbil to the vet if it has a respiratory infection. Gerbils only live to about three years old on average. The animal is used in science and kept as a small . Off-Topic. If you believe one of these reasons caused the end of your gerbil, its critical to have him examined by a veterinarian for an autopsy. The two fighting gerbils will stand facing each other, perhaps pressing noses. 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