If youre concerned about your gerbil, the best option is to contact a veterinarian. Dying of old age isnt common among wild animals. By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube. "Told me that my gerbil is probably sick.". If necessary, vets will administer painkillers or a course of antibiotics to treat a painful infection. So, when a gerbil dies, it can take you by surprise. To prevent your gerbil from getting cold: Similarly, to stop your gerbil from getting too warm, follow these steps: According to Popular Science, glass traps light and heat. Your gerbil may also die for no clear medical reason. Gerbils will fight to the death to ensure their dominance. Cedar pine bedding can be particularly irritating for gerbils. Diarrhoea does not always appear. Some conditions cant be cured at all, such as strokes. . All gerbils have scent glands on their stomachs. Ensure the room it lives in is kept between 65-75 degrees. While this does incur a small cost, its necessary if you cant figure out the issue on your own. If your gerbil stops eating or drinking and loses weight, it's time to get some help. Your gerbil cant feed or care for itself because it has so many seizures. If at that time we can not, you have to put it in a cool place and wet your extremities with warm water (avoid cold water) and if you have swallowing reflex give it with a syringe or a dropper some water or sugary whey. 2. Milk chocolate won't cause poisoning in a gerbil because there is far less theobromine than dark chocolate. Here are several of the most common sounds gerbils make, as well as their meanings. Because the heart cant pump blood, the affected animal experiences severely negative effects. During their waking hours, they are full of energy and can make a lot of noise. Another of the facts about gerbils is that they are omnivorous, which means they'll eat both plant and animal material. It may be time to bid farewell if your gerbil does not respond to treatment. Select Post. Your gerbil will lose control of its body and may collapse onto its side or back. There is no cure, although your pet may recover on its own. Ovarian cysts manifest the fastest out of all the possible causes of a bloated look in gerbils. Lethargy is one of the most common signs of illness in gerbils. If you think your gerbil is dying, there are some things you can do to try and save them. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Thats how these seizures became common because the gene pool is so small. Sometimes, you may hear your gerbils squeaking. Apr 6, 2016. Their symptoms, like seizures and swelling, have a quick onset. Burying your gerbil in the backyard is the best way to show it respect and say your goodbyes. Of course, its always best to consult with a veterinarian to be sure. I'll have to get in touch with her. 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. Many owners take comfort in burying their pet gerbils in their back yard or another special resting spot where they can visit them often. Take the gerbil out of the cage when you notice its passed away. A dying gerbil displays the following signs: When your gerbil starts to die, you must keep checking in on your pet to ensure its not in pain and has everything it needs to be comfortable. Antibiotics will clear up respiratory infections and infected wounds. I have a rubber gerbil and cat ears! This has immediate effects and can kill instantly. Gerbils that fight with their teeth will cause significant damage and can even kill. Shock or fright can also cause death through seizures. This article was co-authored by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. They are a leading cause of injury and death in older populations. Theme by MVP Themes, powered by WordPress. Things that can stress out a gerbil include strange surroundings, excessive handling, nearby predators (e.g. Treatment involves antibiotics and rest. Blood pressure drops and heart rate changes. Hamsters, like humans, can develop cataracts in their old age. However, if their condition is too far gone, the vet will be able to help them cross over peacefully. If you dont get to spend much time with your pet, you may not notice these conditions developing. There are many reasons why gerbils die, and some have noticeable symptoms. This only happens when you have mishandled your pet. Unfortunately, diarrhea isoften fatalto your gerbil. Consider moving one of its friendly brothers or sisters in with it. It's important to keep an eye on any pet and know when you need to take them to the vet. There are 14 species in the genus Meriones. Tyzzers disease is far more severe than that. In captivity, it cant escape the cage. Of the 21 moribund gerbils, 17 were females while the majority of the surviving individuals were male (14 out of 19), yet all the surviving gerbils with no symptoms, were female. I separated her from her sister. The gerbils begin with wrestling and boxing. 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. According to Physiology and Behavior, a female gerbils heart rate is around 300 BPM during pregnancy. Gerbils numbers would increase, he said, whenever a hot summer followed a wet spring. If you have other gerbils in the enclosure, a dead tankmate risks their health, especially if the gerbil had a contagious condition. Lethargy, weight loss, hair loss, and seizures are all possible symptoms of a dying gerbil. Its body may also twist in an odd shape. They can be scary, but are usually not a sign of another illness. There are many reasons why gerbils pass away. Unfortunately, because gerbils only have a short lifespan, theres not a lot you can do once their bodies start to shut down. This is due to the social nature of the gerbil and how they need interaction to thrive. When I was in 5th or 6th grade, one of our class hamsters got out of his cage by climbing onto the wheel and pushing his body up against the lid. About 20% of gerbils will develop seizures. gerbil definition: 1. a small animal, similar to a mouse with long back legs, that is often kept as a pet 2. a small. Not only can this prevent hunger, but it gives you a final chance to bond. However, like other animals, they are vulnerable to sickness and mortality. If youre concerned about your gerbil, the first step is to contact a veterinarian. They dont result in brain damage and have no other long-lasting effects. While each seizure wont cause lasting damage, their continuation can cause issues. I also enjoy doing things outdoors, like hiking and camping. Over time, your gerbil will decline and die because of these repeated stresses. Superficial wounds rarely need intervention and heal quickly. References. Lastly, some people may not know how to save a dying gerbil. Respiratory infection is the medical term for a severe cold. Posts: 5,158. And depending on the conditions your gerbil lives in, RIs can appear suddenly. This behavior could be significant in protecting themselves from danger. If your gerbils keep dying and you dont know why you must consult a vet. Take the gerbil to the vet if you feel any hard lumps. If youve taken good care of your gerbils, and they all reach their natural lifespans, then old age may be the explanation. 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. The gerbil could also have an infection, injury, or treatable healthy condition, especially if the animal is still young. This article has been viewed 106,652 times. When gerbils start dying, they lose many basic functions. The bacteria that causes it, Clostridium piliforme, spreads through spores and is highly resistant to antibiotics and antiseptics. Carefully place surviving cage mates back in. Gerbils are healthy animals, but they are prone to fatal health conditions, including heart failure, seizures, strokes, and respiratory disorders. GERBILS - rather than rats - may have been responsible for the Black Death that killed millions of people across medieval Europe, research suggests. He is hunched up and his breathing is quite heavy making him rock slightly from front to back, his eyes are shut too. If they get too hot, theyre at risk of heatstroke, which speeds up the dying process. Both in the wild and in captivity, gerbils are prone to violence. Observe for several minutes in case the breathing has slowed to an unnoticeable rate. List of the main diseases that affect gerbils. Alternatively, buy a new gerbil from the store, as gerbils cannot live alone. Remember that some gerbils may hide their symptoms of illness, so you should be observant of your gerbil's behavior and . Signs of infection include diarrhea, dehydration, weight loss, rough hair coat, a swollen or bloated abdomen, or fetal death in a pregnant female. 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. Off-Topic. 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 . If your gerbil died suddenly, no doubt youre sad and want to understand why it happened. If a gerbil kills another through fighting, its obvious. 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. I love animals, and I have three beautiful boys. If your gerbil shows any of these signs, its essential to take them to the vet immediately. While they are friendly with people and each other, they can Declan. The pair fight, and the loser must leave the social group. This prevents them from disturbing the animal or making it stressed. When this occurs, you may never learn why. If your gerbil has any of these symptoms, take it to a veterinarian as soon as possible. Gerbils are not healthy creatures. You may not notice the behavioral signs of this occurring. It has several origins: food, congenital, traumatic. Even though gerbils cant talk, theyre aware of when theyre loved and understand that their human owners care for them. A gerbil that's close to death won't eat from this hoard or go foraging for food. This usually . document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Do Gerbils Have Strokes (Brain Aneurysms)? If any of these indications appear in your pet gerbil, its critical to bring them to a veterinarian immediately. Diarrhoea can be a sign of Tyzzer's Disease although other infections like E. coli and Listeria can have similar symptoms. Make sure the vet has diagnosed it as such. Gerbil groups have one dominant pair, which breed together, and several other subordinate gerbils surround them. There is no treatment for strokes in gerbils. They are not above cannibalism. Additionally, many people may not know what to do if their gerbil dies. 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. The symptoms are the same as those experienced by people. Keep reading to learn tips from our Veterinary co-author on how to determine if your gerbils behavior is normal. While the behavior of gerbils has not been extensively studied, they may release a specific scent or another signal to let other gerbils know that they are playing possum. Either way, gerbils regularly die of old age as the body begins to break down. Do not use sawdust or anything pine or cedar based. Guest Board. Sometimes, despite your best efforts, your gerbil might develop a scent gland tumor. Your pet may have been overweight or experienced heart failure because of its diet. The symptoms of a scent gland tumor include dryness and extra baldness on your gerbils stomach, flaky skin and loose powdery dust, redness and swelling, and small hard lumpy patches. This could be the reason why lots of your pets died one after the other. If you cannot save your gerbil, it is essential to euthanize it humanely. The possible lethal mechanisms behind each . All of the surviving gerbils had detectable CVA16 seroconversion. . Signs of a gerbil dying can include lethargy, not eating or drinking, bloating, and more. Gerbils are tiny animals that may be entertaining but can also die suddenly for no apparent cause. While youll need to be careful of any health conditions, feeding your pet its favorite treats is an excellent way to provide it with some enjoyment in its last days. The deterioration is usually quick, meaning it sometimes takes owners by surprise. That's because a stroke affects the brain in the same way. While you need to allow yourself time to grieve, its best to do so once youve disposed of the dead gerbil. He began making what looked like involuntary bodily movements (such as kicking his legs occasionally), and he displayed lack of mobility and closed eyes. In fact, it will be necessary to amputate the part of the reached tail. The unfortunate outcome of these fights can be sudden death. 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. The first time you see your gerbil have a grand mal seizure, its exceptionally worrying. Diarrhea:diarrhea can have a nutritional or infectious origin (viral, bacterial or parasitic). They are visible to the naked eye, and can also be identified by their dark droppings. Most gerbils with Tyzzer's disease die within 24-48 hours. They will make loud squeaking noises at one another. Heat hits: gerbils are quite susceptible to heat stroke if they are exposed to direct sunlight or housed in a very hot room and especially if they have no access to shade or water source. As a result, its natural for pet owners to wonder if theres a way to prolong their gerbils life. Its also a nice thing to do for your gerbil while its dying. Give your gerbil a good check once a week, looking for bald patches running your finger over its belly. 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. Your gerbil moves with your head tilted. The bacteria attack your pets liver and cover it in lesions, although you cant see this. Themothis a very limiting parasite for your gerbil and even for you, since you may be transmitted. Nowadays, Mongolian gerbils usually will live between 2 and 5 years, with an average of 3 years. Games Board. This will help to determine the cause of death and enable you to take steps to prevent it from happening again. Provide an extra layer of bedding to trap heat and offer gerbils a place to bury into for warmth. Embolisms cause strokes in the brain, which are blockages either of fat, blood, or air. Ovarian cysts can cause your gerbil to look bloated within a few days. Diarrhea is also a common symptom in dying gerbils. Mucus catches bacteria, and the whole lot is expelled through the nose. The two fighting gerbils will stand facing each other, perhaps pressing noses. Visit your vet to confirm the diagnosis. However, a gerbils lifespan drops to around three years when living alone. Most people would rather give their pet a proper send-off. Its origin may be parasitic, bacterial, an excess of cerumen or a tumor. Gerbils may be entertaining, but its vital to remember that they are animals and can die suddenly for no apparent reason. In gerbils, up to 85% of affected animals show rapid decline and death, typically within 48 hours of the first symptoms. So if youre perplexed about why your gerbil died suddenly, keep reading to learn about some potential causes. I make sure to take good care of all the animals that come into my life. As it is nutritious and a good energy source, you may want to feed meat to your gerbil. If your gerbil dies suddenly, you will have to dispose of it. 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