3. Like humans, gerbils may occasionally catch a cold. Epileptic seizures (fits) occur in up to 50% of gerbils. There is no treatment for strokes in gerbils. Chirping is the most common sound that gerbils make. Gerbils will fight to the death to ensure their dominance. Gerbils become like family members. Take your pet to a veterinarian as soon as possible if you detect any of the symptoms described in this article. This will help to determine the cause of death and enable you to take steps to prevent it from happening again. A gerbils natural lifespan is around three years, but gerbils have been known to live for five years. This is due to the social nature of the gerbil and how they need interaction to thrive. But gerbils can take you by surprise in that way, too. Mild allergies and eye injury can be spotted by examining your gerbil's eyes. One of the first things you should do if you think your gerbil might be dead is to check for signs of life. Begin by buying a new gerbilarium for your pets to live in. These dominant gerbils can frequently fight with others. Signs of pain include: If your gerbil displays any of these signs, take it to the vet to see if pain medication can help. Pet gerbils are susceptible to many illnesses and diseases. A gerbil with heat stroke is weak, dehydrated and can convulse and die. Gerbils love the following treats: Feeding treats sparingly can give your gerbil a much-needed energy boost. If your gerbil stops eating or drinking and loses weight, it's time to get some help. Hosting A Camp; Camp Forms; Staff The mother may be starving, Gerbils are omnivores, so they can eat animal and plant-based foods. Once it hits the bedding, its absorbed, becoming hot. However, its not uncommon for one gerbil to grow bigger than the other. The point is so that the other gerbils in the group have more food to eat. If your gerbil appears to have a reddish nose, its nose is likely running and it may need treatment for an allergic reaction or respiratory issue. However, never self-prescribe, as you may make your gerbils condition worse. Early identification and treatment are often essential for a positive outcome in a sick gerbil. The heart can be under strain long before this, though, which has slightly different symptoms to what we understand as a heart attack.. A clean cage with toys can dramatically improve their pleasure and quality of life. While they do show signs of aging, these arent as obvious as they are in people. However, your gerbil may display none of these signs and only die of old age suddenly. However, this is still far higher than that of a person. They occur in both people and gerbils (as well as other animals). We use cookies to make wikiHow great. While the average human heart rate is between 60 and 100 times per minute, a gerbils heart can beat at 600 bpm. Hey there, I'm Angela. Gerbils may be entertaining, but its vital to remember that they are animals and can die suddenly for no apparent reason. 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. Some will want to curl up on their owners lap. If your gerbil died of something contagious, the problem could affect your other gerbils. But animals suffering from a painful or uncomfortable health condition may need medication to help them feel more at ease with their problem. Where the blood vessel burst in the brain, the local brain tissue will be affected. Never pick a gerbil up by their tail. Visit your vet to confirm the diagnosis. However, what doesnt happen is your gerbil dying suddenly because of shock. If youre concerned about your gerbil, the first step is to contact a veterinarian. It must be borne in mind that some cutaneous diseases of gerbils are zoonotic. It could have been a combination of the above causes. Your gerbil may also die for no clear medical reason. This allows it to get some rest. Despite its status as a healthy rodent, your gerbil is quite sensitive to bacterial, viral and parasitic infections. You can dispose of it in the trash, although this seems heartless. Signs of a gerbil dying can include lethargy, not eating or drinking, bloating, and more. Often the gerbil dies immediately. Keep reading to learn tips from our Veterinary co-author on how to determine if your gerbils behavior is normal. Prompt veterinary treatment is vital in the form of antibiotics. If you think your gerbil is dying, acting fast is essential. Your vet can advise you as to how you can stop more of your pets from dying. 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. This bacteria can spread deeper into the lungs. Not only can this prevent hunger, but it gives you a final chance to bond. Dying gerbils need to conserve their energy and will sleep more often to do so. So, when a gerbil dies, it can take you by surprise. Feeding treats is better than nothing and allows them to receive some sustenance to keep their energy levels stable. It also prevents them from becoming malnourished, which can make death a more uncomfortable experience. There are several illnesses your gerbil might be experiencing, including hypothermia, diarrhea, dehydration, mites, and poisoning. Colds occur when the upper respiratory tract, i.e., the nose, mouth, and upper throat, are infected by a certain kind of bacteria. 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. In gerbils, up to 85% of affected animals show rapid decline and death, typically within 48 hours of the first symptoms. If you have other gerbils in the enclosure, a dead tankmate risks their health, especially if the gerbil had a contagious condition. Signs of infection include diarrhea, dehydration, weight loss, rough hair coat, a swollen or bloated abdomen, or fetal death in a pregnant female. In the wild, they'll eat bird's eggs, newly hatched chicks, and insects. This can become an issue over time. In this case, it is necessary to place it in a comfortable and warm place and notify the veterinarian promptly. The tumors must be removed surgically, today there are many clinics prepared for it. There is no cure, although your pet may recover on its own. The head and body length is 95-180 mm, and tail length is 100-193 mm. They stop the gerbil from breathing easily, hence the wheezing sound. And again, Thank you so much for your time and all of the valuable information. Provide extra bedding and a possible heat pad to remain warm when your gerbil isn't able to maintain its body temperature the way it used to. Give your gerbil a good check once a week, looking for bald patches running your finger over its belly. The symptoms of a stroke include difficulty moving or complete paralysis, lethargy, and closed eyes. Keep the enclosure away from direct sunlight. These tumors, like any tumor, can be benign or malignant. This is a neurochemical thats also known as the love hormone. It lowers blood pressure and decreases cortisol, helping gerbils feel more relaxed. A pet's death can hurt more than losing a fellow human . This doesnt threaten your pets health. You must check for the symptoms of each condition to ascertain the cause of death. The best time to do this is when youre reading a book or magazine and have time to spend with your pet. Thus, one can find in all the regions of the body. Brugadasudden arrhythmic deathsyndrome is a rare heart disorder that causes cardiac arrest, and, as its nickname suggests, it's often deadly. I don't know if your gerbil is dying, but you should take it to the vet, because if sounds really sick. 2. Save my name and email in this browser for the next time I comment. Checking the gerbils heartbeat by feeling for a pulse with your forefinger. The treatmentconsists of local disinfection and antibiotic therapy. They often reach older gerbils. Things that can stress out a gerbil include strange surroundings, excessive handling, nearby predators (e.g. Remove all the old bedding and try another kind. Respiratory infection is the medical term for a severe cold. This is a problem because good care is key to good health. Gerbils are prone to circulatory system issues because their hearts work hard. List of the main diseases that affect gerbils. In most cases, nature will take hold and run its course. Gerbils can eat, Gerbils that are the same age and live together are usually the same size. Larger or bad looking wounds require cures and even sutures. 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. Gerbil Information Leaflet Number3 - Give your Gerbil A health Check is a companion to this page. 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. Being overweight and a lack of exercise are two risk factors for strokes in gerbils. Take your gerbil to the vet right away if it has a scent gland tumor. Any gerbil is going to pay attention to what is happening outside its habitat. If there are no signs of life, call a veterinarian to confirm. If you cannot save your gerbil, it is essential to euthanize it humanely. Keep reading to learn tips from our Veterinary co-author on how to determine if your gerbils behavior is normal. who knew. There may be a reason why your gerbil has died. Sometimes gerbils die when youre least expecting it. The outer layer can come off; this is known as de-gloving and is extremely painful for them. Close. Why Do Gerbils Tails Fall Off? 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. In addition to changing the bedding, take your gerbil to the vet if it has a respiratory infection. According to Physiology and Behavior, a female gerbils heart rate is around 300 BPM during pregnancy. 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. This causes diarrhea, which then spreads the disease to other individuals, and so on. Why Camp? In many cases, youll never know what killed your gerbil. Thesalmonellosisistransmissible to humans. The stable temperature of your room keeps your gerbil healthy. This has immediate effects and can kill instantly. . [Gerbil Tail Slip Prevention Guide]. You mustnt give your hopes up, though. Antibiotics are necessary to combat infected wounds and colds. A respiratory problem in a gerbil can be serious and can be the cause of a sudden death if it is not treated. Of all the animals, people are the only ones that can now regularly survive to old age. Besides that, a gerbils heart has to work harder than a human heart. This article has been viewed 106,652 times. Before an animal reaches an age at which its body shuts down, it succumbs to something else: a predator, the weather, a trap, or something else entirely. You can also try offering them small amounts of food and water to see if they will eat or drink. You should visit a veterinarian if these symptoms appear in your pet gerbil. betty. Select Post. Diarrhoea does not always appear. The treatment willconsist of cleaning the cage, changing the litter and putting a less irritating one. Your pet gerbil can reach old age if youre a good owner. Because your gerbil continually rubs its belly on things, it can become inflamed. 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. This high level of activity, plus the gerbils natural susceptibility to heart disease, means that the condition is common. There's nothing quite like getting away from it all in nature. And regular changing bedding and cleaning stop infections. If you have gerbils, place them in a safe, separate location. You can do this by: Once youve determined for sure that your gerbil has died, its time to say your goodbyes. One Mongolian species (Meriones unguiculatus) is a gentle and hardy animal that has become a popular pet. Other posts. . I think my gerbil (the last of 2) is dying. In fact, it causes a slimming of your gerbil, which will eat less or no more. Others can only be fixed by a vet, like a tumor on your pets scent gland. Consult with a veterinarian for a proper diagnosis. Remember that some gerbils may hide their symptoms of illness, so you should be observant of your gerbil's behavior and . It's important to keep an eye on any pet and know when you need to take them to the vet. Ammonia smells like Windex or hair dying products. It will only gradually recover the use of its limbs. Chestnuts are a kind of nut that's popular during the winter. If that happens, then your gerbil may die suddenly. Weight loss and diarrhea are additional signs of sickness. They are not above cannibalism. Sham-operated gerbils without artery occlusion had the same diet as Sham-control. For example, if bacteria enter a wound, it becomes harder to treat. 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. Unfortunately, diarrhea isoften fatalto your gerbil. This can be done by a vet or by using carbon dioxide. The fights become more fierce because of this. You may notice your gerbil twitches, goes into a mild trance, or has some muscle convulsions. You should also look for changes in behavior, like a dip in energy or a lack of appetite. Remove the tanks bedding and dispose of it. "Told me that my gerbil is probably sick.". Dermatological problems: either external parasites, ringworm or scabies. good luck with your gerbil. The optimal temperature for a gerbil is between 65-75 degrees. There are no reversing the effects. 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