It can also make it difficult for your pet to eat because the other gerbils hoard the food for themselves. Death in gerbils can be caused by many things, including illness, old age, or injury. While they do show signs of aging, these arent as obvious as they are in people. You can dispose of it in the trash, although this seems heartless. Visit your vet to confirm the diagnosis. You can spot these fights before they occur. 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. This should offer some comfort and helps to let your pet know its not alone. The blockage causes brain damage, which in turn causes the symptoms of a stroke. Sep 30, 2018 at 11:08am. While you need to allow yourself time to grieve, its best to do so once youve disposed of the dead gerbil. Some gerbils show neurological symptoms or go into heart failure, depending on where the toxin strikes. Signs of pain include: If your gerbil displays any of these signs, take it to the vet to see if pain medication can help. Any food the sick animal eats . I love animals, and I have three beautiful boys. There are many reasons why gerbils pass away. So, its likely that your gerbil died of something other than age-related issues. Its a disease that is spread through accidental ingestion of diarrhea. If youre concerned about your gerbil, the most significant thing to do is seek advice from a veterinarian. Gerbils are hardy rodent pets that rarely get sick, but one disease that they are particularly susceptible to is Tyzzer's disease. One of the most common causes of death in gerbils is pneumonia. Warmth, fresh water, and food should all be provided. Heart failure is a condition that can affect any animal with a heart. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. You may think your gerbil has died or is dying, but it's not. One of the causes of diarrhea is Tizzers disease, highly contagious and lethal. Spray and clean the enclosure with an antibacterial spray. Take the gerbil to the vet if you feel any hard lumps. Home; Church. Like humans, gerbils may occasionally catch a cold. This can become an issue over time. The covering of fur on the . Make use of as much bedding as appropriate. I've always been an animal lover, and I've worked in the pet industry. Lack of appetite is another common symptom. Ovarian cysts can cause your gerbil to look bloated within a few days. Gerbil groups have one dominant pair, which breed together, and several other subordinate gerbils surround them. Select Post. 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 . Vets are used to diagnosing problems, even rare ones that arent seen often. 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. Like people, these pets can experience many health issues. Gerbils are popular small pets, but what if you think your gerbil might be dead? Sometimes, gerbils can enter a state of hibernation and appear quiet when just sleeping. Common signs of a gerbil near death include lack of energy, loss of appetite, and difficulty breathing. Last Updated: October 31, 2022 Sham-operated gerbils without artery occlusion had the same diet as Sham-control. Checking whether the gerbil is breathing. As it is nutritious and a good energy source, you may want to feed meat to your gerbil. A pet's death can hurt more than losing a fellow human . can feel like a death sentence. Aside from the many health conditions that can affect them, they are genetically ill too. By learning more, you can prevent sudden death in your other gerbils. The scent gland itself is a small bald patch on your gerbils belly. So, when a gerbil dies, it can take you by surprise. While they are friendly with people and each other, they can Declan. The pair fight, and the loser must leave the social group. Besides that, a gerbils heart has to work harder than a human heart. They stop the gerbil from breathing easily, hence the wheezing sound. Because your gerbil continually rubs its belly on things, it can become inflamed. Keep reading to learn tips from our Veterinary co-author on how to determine if your gerbils behavior is normal. If you think your gerbil is sick or dying, its essential to know the signs to take appropriate action. In captivity, it cant escape the cage. dogs and cats), and too much fuss and noise. These scent glands, like any scent gland, are used to mark territory. This means that if your gerbils are consistently dying with the symptoms described above, Tyzzers disease is the issue. If your gerbil starts showing signs of pain, you must manage your pets discomfort. This prevents them from disturbing the animal or making it stressed. Most people would rather give their pet a proper send-off. The onset of his symptoms were sudden. According to Physiology, when animals are petted, oxytocin is released in their brains. 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. Tumors will continue to grow without treatment. A broken bone is very painful, so a trip to the vet is needed. Various congenital and acquired gastrointestinal conditions that have resulted in sudden unexpected death are discussed. Know that there is no treatment. It is the sound that you are accustomed to your pet making. If symptoms keep appearing, you may need to buy yet another enclosure. Sometimes no clinical signs are observed, but your gerbil dies. If you think your gerbil is dying, the most important thing is to get them to the vet immediately. 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. RIs are like severe colds, where your gerbils nose and throat become blocked with snot. If you cannot save your gerbil, it is essential to euthanize it humanely. Posts: 5,158. If you have recently lost a gerbil and are wondering what might have caused its death, take it to a veterinarian for a postmortem examination. Thus, the incidence and severity of clinical symptoms in gerbils were positively correlated with infection dose. Here are some common causes of gerbil death: Old age: Gerbils have a lifespan of around 2-4 years, and as they age, they can develop age-related health issues such as tumors, organ failure, and neurological disorders. This will help to determine the cause of death and enable you to take steps to prevent it from happening again. However, it will still move around, albeit not as quickly as before. So while fur loss isn't a definitive sign of old age, it's still worth noting. If there are no signs of life, call a veterinarian to confirm. Your pet may have been overweight or experienced heart failure because of its diet. One Raindrop Raises The Sea - First code of . A gerbil with diarrhea is easily dehydrated. By. If you think your gerbil is dying, there are some things you can do to try and save them. Symptoms: The gerbil will walks with difficulty keeping one paw in the air. By using our site, you agree to our. Member Website Links. By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube. 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. Even though gerbils cant talk, theyre aware of when theyre loved and understand that their human owners care for them. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. This can make it difficult to determine if something is wrong and take appropriate action. . This is an unpleasant but necessary thing to do. 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. Their genetics arent as healthy as they could be or as their wild counterparts. Prompt veterinary treatment is vital in the form of antibiotics. Strokes affect other animals in the same way that they affect us. The gerbil could also have an infection, injury, or treatable healthy condition, especially if the animal is still young. 2. He began making what looked like involuntary bodily movements (such as kicking his legs occasionally), and he displayed lack of mobility and closed eyes. Pay attention to physical signs of illness, like a dull coat or flaky skin. Between three and five, your gerbil may die of old age at any point. If you think your gerbil is sick, take it to the vet. Gerbils chirp to communicate with each, If a gerbil cant 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.. Lethargy, loss of appetite, weight loss, constipation, and abnormal skin color are some of the most typical symptoms of gerbil sickness or demise. Any gerbil is going to pay attention to what is happening outside its habitat. If you spot a lot of dark brown material in your gerbil's fur, take a piece and put it on some white kitchen paper. Many owners take comfort in burying their pet gerbils in their back yard or another special resting spot where they can visit them often. These tumors, like any tumor, can be benign or malignant. Depending on why your gerbil is dying, handling could be a painful experience. While not everyone agrees, old age certainly sets in by three years of age in gerbils. I'll have to get in touch with her. If you think your gerbil may be dead, check for signs of life such as movement, breathing, or a heartbeat. Dental overgrowth: it is not a frequent condition in gerbils, but it can be the case if they have any malformation in the mouth or do not wear them properly due to a bad diet or bad lodging. The visit to the veterinarian is mandatory in this case, without wasting time. The symptoms are the same as those experienced by people. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years. A dying gerbil displays the following signs: Loss of appetite. The bacteria that causes it, Clostridium piliforme, spreads through spores and is highly resistant to antibiotics and antiseptics. All gerbils have scent glands on their stomachs. Chestnuts are a kind of nut that's popular during the winter. Over time, your gerbil will decline and die because of these repeated stresses. So, take your pet in for your vet to look at. Another of the facts about gerbils is that they are omnivorous, which means they'll eat both plant and animal material. Strokes are distinctive, so if they were the cause of all your gerbils dying, you would know. 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. Gerbil Information Leaflet Number3 - Give your Gerbil A health Check is a companion to this page. Thats because of the social structure of gerbil groups. At first signs of these symptoms, it's important to start addressing them and trying to make your gerbil more comfortable. I separated her from her sister. Consider moving one of its friendly brothers or sisters in with it. During their waking hours, they are full of energy and can make a lot of noise. While some gerbils die suddenly and unexpectedly, others spend a few days deteriorating and display symptoms that make it obvious theyre in their last few days of life. There may be a reason why your gerbil has died. Your vet might choose to excise it. It looks like theyre licking or nibbling at each others fur. Take your gerbil to the vet right away if it has a scent gland tumor. Their symptoms, like seizures and swelling, have a quick onset. Diarrhoea can be a sign of Tyzzer's Disease although other infections like E. coli and Listeria can have similar symptoms. The perfect coffin for a gerbil is a Celestial Seasonings tea box. In many cases, youll never know what killed your gerbil. The deterioration is usually quick, meaning it sometimes takes owners by surprise. 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. You may notice your gerbil twitches, goes into a mild trance, or has some muscle convulsions. There are many, Theres nothing sadder than if your pet dies. Signs of broken limbs are distorted legs, limping, unwillingness to move, and pained vocalisations. Infection, trauma, and poisoning are all potential causes of death in gerbils. These occur when blood pressure gets too high and when the walls of the bodys blood vessels become rigid and old. Some dying gerbils enjoy being handled by their owners, but some will only want you to sit nearby. Good care is key to prolonging your gerbils life. Your pet gerbil can reach old age if youre a good owner. Drinking less frequently. As a new owner, you may not know why your gerbil jumps around so, Gerbils become like family members. Save my name and email in this browser for the next time I comment. This high level of activity, plus the gerbils natural susceptibility to heart disease, means that the condition is common. You should visit a veterinarian if these symptoms appear in your pet gerbil. Antibiotics will clear up respiratory infections and infected wounds. Save my name and email in this browser for the next time I comment. If you dont get to spend much time with your pet, you may not notice these conditions developing. The rough limit for a gerbils lifespan is three to five years, at the absolute maximum. They readily eat seeds, nuts, roots, grass, and fruit. Pet gerbils are susceptible to many illnesses and diseases. Some authorities can be quoted as saying that the main symptom of Tyzzer's disease is death and that is not too much of an overstatement. Why Do Gerbils Tails Fall Off? Feeding treats is better than nothing and allows them to receive some sustenance to keep their energy levels stable. The symptoms start with a twitch, the ears are then folded back, and the gerbil may start to drool at the mouth. Clean the enclosure consistently each week. Allergies. Many conditions have a slow onset. If youre not sure whether your gerbil is dying, keep an eye out for these signs: Lethargy:If your gerbil is moving less than usual or seems unusually tired, this could signify that theyre nearing the end. As previously mentioned, children and other pets should be supervised whenever theyre in the same room as the gerbil. However, in gerbils mortality of 80% or more of animals showing symptoms is common. Themothis a very limiting parasite for your gerbil and even for you, since you may be transmitted. Dermatological problems: either external parasites, ringworm or scabies. 1. It is the common disease of all rodents. In most cases, nature will take hold and run its course. Vertigo, nausea, confusion and other symptoms of the rare inner ear problem had m ade everyday tasks - from . A respiratory problem in a gerbil can be serious and can be the cause of a sudden death if it is not treated. There are several illnesses your gerbil might be experiencing, including hypothermia, diarrhea, dehydration, mites, and poisoning. Chirping. 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. You must talk to a vet to obtain the correct antibiotics. Their symptoms, like seizures and swelling, have a quick onset. Should an infected animal recover, the spores of the . Other Animal Species. Another common sign of gerbil death is loss of appetite. The symptoms of a full heart attack are more severe: loss of movement and lack of appetite. Chirping, at its rawest, is the sound they make when they want attention. Of all the animals, people are the only ones that can now regularly survive to old age. They dont result in brain damage and have no other long-lasting effects. Strokes and heart disease cause sudden death in gerbils. Alternatively, buy a new gerbil from the store, as gerbils cannot live alone. 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 . As soon as you find something, take your gerbil to the vet. Theme by MVP Themes, powered by WordPress. . Observe for several minutes in case the breathing has slowed to an unnoticeable rate. When this occurs, you may never learn why. This is due to the social nature of the gerbil and how they need interaction to thrive. If your gerbil died suddenly, no doubt youre sad and want to understand why it happened. The various strains are usually species-specific (i.e. By Rebecca Perring. Copyright 2016 Click Mag Theme. Stroke mortality represents the third leading cause of death worldwide, after coronary artery disease and cancer. Also, many owners dont spend much time with their pets. Its distressing to watch a pet, Gerbils are highly active animals. They took the assigned diet for an additional three weeks. Either way, gerbils regularly die of old age as the body begins to break down. The average weight is 50-55 g for females and 60 g for males. Gerbils are not healthy creatures. Repeated shocks and stress can kill a gerbil over time, although they wont kill your gerbil suddenly. 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. Malignant tumors will spread and kill your pet. This is normally due to a severe health problem, or worse,, Many people underestimate how much sleep the average gerbil needs. This cant be done at home. Respiratory problems: may be caused by allergies (especially to the substrate) or by infectious processes, whether contagious or opportunistic. So if youre perplexed about why your gerbil died suddenly, keep reading to learn about some potential causes. Take your gerbil to the vet right away if it has a scent gland tumor. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Do Gerbils Have Strokes (Brain Aneurysms)? Keep in mind that a gerbil's mucus is red. TP tubes. Mucus catches bacteria, and the whole lot is expelled through the nose. Wrobel did a study of the relationship between symptoms of grief . Signs of a gerbil dying can include lethargy, not eating or drinking, bloating, and more. Lethargy is one of the most common signs of illness in gerbils. Stress is commoner in younger gerbils. While your vet may be able to recommend a treatment, its more likely to be a palliative measure rather than a life-saving one. The heart can be under strain long before this, though, which has slightly different symptoms to what we understand as a heart attack.. The gerbil will learn to adapt to the loss and will hardly notice its injury. Gerbil Diet. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/03\/Know-if-a-Gerbil-Is-Ill-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Know-if-a-Gerbil-Is-Ill-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/03\/Know-if-a-Gerbil-Is-Ill-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/aid1247658-v4-728px-Know-if-a-Gerbil-Is-Ill-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"