So, your gerbil has lost its tail or the tip of its tail. If a predator grabs the tail in the wild, it will ‘slip off,’ allowing the gerbil to escape to freedom. It’s painful, and the gerbil’s tail is gone permanently, but it’s better than being eaten by a predatory animal. But why would … Read more
When your gerbil develops a sudden head tilt, this indicates a health problem with the brain or ears. As a result, you must get your gerbil seen by a vet for immediate treatment. Head tilt is often the sign of an ear problem. Gerbils with the condition likely have ear cysts, a middle ear infection, … Read more
Red nose disease in gerbils can have many causes. Although it’s not life-threatening, it can be extremely painful and irritating. If untreated, the condition will worsen and spread to other parts of the body. Red nose in gerbils is a condition called nasal dermatitis. It’s caused by the gerbil’s Harderian gland overproducing porphyrin (a red … Read more
Lots of animals, and some rodents, are given salt licks. These are blocks of salt that contain essential minerals that may be lacking in the animal’s natural diet. Gerbils don’t need a salt lick as they get enough dietary sodium. Too much salt can cause high blood pressure and strokes. If your gerbil’s diet doesn’t … Read more
The period is a sign of fertility, indicating that the female of the species can have babies. But you may not have noticed fertile gerbils having a period. Gerbils have an estrous cycle, which dictates when they mate. But they don’t go through a menstrual cycle. Instead, the lining of the womb is reabsorbed not … Read more
If your gerbil has stopped moving, and feels cold to the touch, you’re understandably concerned about your pet’s welfare. This is normally due to a severe health problem, or worse, so you need to take swift action. Health issues that can lead to lifelessness in gerbils include respiratory infections, strokes, heart attacks, and Tyzzer’s disease. … Read more
A gerbil’s heart rate is very high, so its heart already works extremely hard. Any animal with a heart can have a heart attack (also knowns as myocardial infarctions or acute myocardial infarctions.) Heart attacks in gerbils can happen when the blood supply to the heart tissue is stopped. This can occur due to blood … Read more
Gerbils have ways to keep cool when it’s too hot. These mechanisms enable them to survive in the wild during the summer months. But in captivity, you need to take steps to keep your gerbils cool. Gerbils hide in their burrows to escape the sun and warm air. They also drink more water than usual. … Read more
Gerbils are warm-blooded mammals, and produce their own body heat like us. Also, like humans, they can get cold in the winter. Low body temperatures can lead to health issues. Gerbils do feel the cold, but have strategies they use to survive. They huddle for warmth, produce extra body heat, and stay in their burrows … Read more
Gerbils don’t drink much water. So, if you notice that your gerbil keeps drinking, you’re right to be concerned about its health. Excessive drinking in gerbils could be connected to illness. Your gerbil could be drinking a lot of water due to Tyzzer’s disease, diabetes, or kidney failure. Its drinking bottle may be broken or … Read more
Your gerbil will grind its teeth down naturally. However, if it’s sick or injured or eats the wrong types of food, it’ll be unable to wear down its teeth. So, you may have to get your gerbil’s teeth cut or trimmed. A gerbil’s incisors will continue to grow throughout its lifetime. The teeth grow up … Read more
Help, my gerbil lost its tooth! Gerbil teeth problems are common. And because your gerbil’s teeth, particularly the incisors, are so important these problems can threaten your pet’s health. Gerbils can break or lose their teeth if they bite something too hard. Gerbils have four large incisors, so you can see when one is damaged … Read more
There’s nothing sadder than if your pet dies. Pet gerbils are susceptible to many illnesses and diseases. But it can be difficult to figure out what caused your gerbil to die. The most common causes of death in gerbils are old age, heart failure, stroke, neglect, Tyzzer’s disease, scent gland tumors, fighting, and respiratory infection. … Read more
If your gerbil is bleeding, this is always a negative symptom that requires treatment. The causes vary, but it could be a severe open wound after fighting, which could cause your gerbil to die. Identify the source of the blood, e.g., the eye, nose, scent gland, base of the tail, etc. Through doing so, you … Read more
A stroke is a serious condition that can threaten the health and life of a gerbil. It’s vital to recognize the signs of strokes in gerbils so that you can seek treatment. Check for symptoms including lack of energy (lethargy), difficulty moving limbs, closed eyes, and no appetite. These symptoms occur almost immediately after a … Read more
Fleas are irritating parasites that leave behind itchy, red bite marks. Gerbil fleas don’t go away on their own, so you’ll need to get rid of them with the right type of treatment. Spot on treatments kill gerbil fleas with pesticides, and anti-flea shampoo and anti-flea powder are also effective. Sand baths and cleaning your … Read more
Wet tail is a condition characterized by diarrhea and emaciation. It affects rodents and can kill within 24-48 hours. So, immediate treatment is vital. Wet tail is an epizootic bacterial disease caused by the bacterium Lawsonia intracellularis, which doesn’t affect gerbils. But gerbils can get repetitive diarrhea caused by stress, which is the same condition … Read more
A respiratory infection is one of the worst illnesses that can affect gerbils, so prompt treatment is essential. You can’t cure this medical condition on your own, so you’ll need assistance from a vet. A vet will prescribe the right type of antibiotics for your gerbil’s respiratory infection. Hold your gerbil and squeeze the antibiotic … Read more
Gerbils are susceptible to mites and other parasites. All rodents are vulnerable. Mites are tiny blood-sucking parasites that live in an animal’s fur/hair and can even affect humans. You can treat gerbil mites with anti-mite pyrethrin sprays or use medicated dust, injections, or medicine. You must also spray your gerbil’s enclosure and completely change its … Read more
If your pet gerbil has a scent gland tumor, it could be fatal. The only treatment option available is surgical removal, but this can be expensive. Tumors are small hard lumps that appear on or near a gerbil’s scent gland. They are caused by irritation after overmarking. Gerbil scent gland appearance is characterized by swelling, … Read more
A gerbil can become depressed or unhappy for a variety of different reasons. When your gerbil becomes sad, you can tackle the problem if you know how to spot the telltale signs. The signs of a depressed gerbil include lack of activity, too much sleep, bar chewing, and floor scratching. Gerbils become unhappy when other … Read more
As captive pets, gerbils are at risk of becoming overweight or obese. But with how active gerbils are, it’s difficult to tell how much exercise they should get each day. Captive gerbils should exercise daily and in different ways. Their periods of activity should last 30-60 minutes. Most gerbils dig burrows and search for food … Read more
In captivity, gerbils eat a mixture of grains, seeds, nuts, and dried vegetables. But some foods can make gerbils fat, while other foods are healthy. Fatty foods, like nuts and sunflower seeds, can make your gerbil fat if eaten to excess. A lack of exercise also contributes to weight gain. To help an overweight gerbil … Read more
If your gerbil died suddenly, no doubt you’re sad and want to understand why it happened. There are many reasons why gerbils die, and some have noticeable symptoms. Strokes and heart disease cause sudden death in gerbils. Their symptoms, like seizures and swelling, have a quick onset. Shock or fright can also cause death through … Read more
If a gerbil can’t 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. Gerbils sleep at odd hours, like during the day. They are susceptible to eye infections (conjunctivitis) and can be allergic to wood shavings as bedding. … Read more
The first time you see your gerbil having seizures, it’s shocking. Your gerbil may collapse on its side, with its legs twitching. You may think your gerbil has died or is dying, but it’s not. Epileptic seizures (fits) occur in up to 50% of gerbils. Check for gerbil seizure symptoms, including stillness or muscle spasms, … Read more
There are many reasons why you may notice your gerbil getting skinny. This is worrying because losing weight can be a sign of poor health in gerbils. Your gerbil isn’t eating because it’s sick, it doesn’t like its food, its teeth are too long, or it’s old and dying. Diagnose the reason by examining your … Read more
It can be difficult to read the body language of pet gerbils. However, there are many signs of stress in gerbils, some of which are much easier to understand than others. Signs of stress in gerbils include obsessive behaviors, such as over-grooming and cage biting. Gerbils may be more aggressive, irritable, or hide excessively. Foot … Read more