However, this is still far higher than that of a person. If you detect any of these indications in your gerbil, you must visit the veterinarian immediately. In many cases, youll never know what killed your gerbil. Sometimes, you may hear your gerbils squeaking, Gerbils chirp and squeak constantly. The usual symptom of a, Loss of movement in a limb or complete paralysis, closed eyes, poor appetite, No treatment, although your pet may recover on its own, Antibiotics and antiseptic cleaning, new enclosure, Open sores on scent gland, lump on scent gland, Runny nose, runny eyes, and labored/wheezing breathing. If your gerbil died of something contagious, the problem could affect your other gerbils. Wrobel did a study of the relationship between symptoms of grief . Having achieved freedom, he explored the table and (this part . Either way, gerbils regularly die of old age as the body begins to break down. Check your gerbil over once a week. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Why Is One of My Gerbils Bigger than the Other? The mother may be starving, Gerbils are omnivores, so they can eat animal and plant-based foods. If your gerbil is the dominant one in a group, it will frequently use its scent gland to mark territory. You will notice a hard lump forming around the scent gland if your gerbil is sick. However, death by old age is noticeable. The bacteria that causes it, Clostridium piliforme, spreads through spores and is highly resistant to antibiotics and antiseptics. good luck with your gerbil. Shock or fright can also cause death through seizures. This usually . A pet's death can hurt more than losing a fellow human . Provide an extra layer of bedding to trap heat and offer gerbils a place to bury into for warmth. 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. Leaving the piece of lacerated tail is a significant risk of new injuries and infections that can compromise your life. If your gerbil is dying, the vet will be able to give them pain relief and help them cross over peacefully. 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. Of all the animals, people are the only ones that can now regularly survive to old age. Once your gerbil gets this disease, he or she will need a lot of care to help him or her pull through. Themothis a very limiting parasite for your gerbil and even for you, since you may be transmitted. [Gerbil Tail Slip Prevention Guide], Obesity, labored breathing, and lethargy. Coughs and Colds. The most common causes of death in gerbils are old age, heart failure, stroke, neglect, Tyzzers disease, scent gland tumors, fighting, and respiratory infection. Reduce the rooms temperature if its higher than 75 degrees. If you observe any of these indicators in your pet gerbil, take it to a veterinarian immediately. Gerbils become like family members. Provide an extra layer of bedding to trap heat and offer gerbils a place to bury into for warmth. This story requires a ~trigger warning~ for all the sensitive types out there. Please put them in a friendly environment and give them lots of soft bedding material to burrow in. There's nothing quite like getting away from it all in nature. Your gerbil dies in90% of cases. The treatmentconsists of local disinfection and antibiotic therapy. 2. One of the most common causes of death in gerbils is pneumonia. . Their symptoms, like seizures and swelling, have a quick onset. Of course, its always best to consult with a veterinarian to be sure. Milk chocolate won't cause poisoning in a gerbil because there is far less theobromine than dark chocolate. . If you have multiple gerbils in the cage, its a good idea to isolate your dying gerbil. ", http://www.merckvetmanual.com/pethealth/exotic_pets/gerbils/disorders_and_diseases_of_gerbils.html, http://www.smallanimalchannel.com/gerbils/gerbil-health/signs-of-gerbil-illness.aspx, http://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/pets/rodents/gerbils/health. The surgeon will use a scalpel to remove the tumor with your pet under anesthetic. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Do Gerbils Have Strokes (Brain Aneurysms)? It is the common disease of all rodents. It is basic that they are housed in a proper cage, have a good diet and clean water always available. 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. With proper care, many gerbils can be saved. They are not above cannibalism. Yes. This has immediate effects and can kill instantly. Any food the sick animal eats . You may not notice the behavioral signs of this occurring. Other Animal Species. According to Vet Record, the only way to resolve the issue is surgery. Give your gerbil a good check once a week, looking for bald patches running your finger over its belly. Over time, your gerbil will decline and die because of these repeated stresses. This doesnt threaten your pets health. The fix depends on the cause. He is hunched up and his breathing is quite heavy making him rock slightly from front to back, his eyes are shut too. The unfortunate outcome of these fights can be sudden death. 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. Carefully place surviving cage mates back in. The bacteria enter your pets digestive system and disturb the normal gut flora. I also enjoy doing things outdoors, like hiking and camping. They took the assigned diet for an additional three weeks. These issues relate to the environment, diet, exercise, and transmittable diseases. As a result, its natural for pet owners to wonder if theres a way to prolong their gerbils life. This is an unfortunately common circumstance that owners find themselves in. Off-Topic. They will make loud squeaking noises at one another. If you plan on owning small pets like gerbils, you need to get used to them passing away. If you think your gerbil is dying, there are some things you can do to try and save them. A yellow or green discoloration can also indicate illness, especially if it is yellow or green. Good care is key to prolonging your gerbils life. A veterinarian can check for signs of life and determine whether your gerbil is in a state of hibernation. The symptoms of a full heart attack are more severe: loss of movement and lack of appetite. For some reason gerbils gnaw and pull at their deceased companions. You mustnt give your hopes up, though. Read your gerbils cues to understand how much affection its looking for. Nowadays, Mongolian gerbils usually will live between 2 and 5 years, with an average of 3 years. Some dying gerbils enjoy being handled by their owners, but some will only want you to sit nearby. The symptoms are obvious, so check for them in your surviving gerbils. 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. More commonly known as a heart attack, heart failure means that one of the arteries in the heart has become blocked. Theres nothing sadder than if your pet dies. Look at your gerbil's eyes. As a result, you can make your gerbil feel more comfortable by providing a dark, quiet space to live in, where it wont be disturbed. As soon as you find something, take your gerbil to the vet. Turn the heat on if need be to a more comfortable temperature, especially in winter. This is another reason to get them to the vet as soon as possible. Gerbil Memorial Board. You may think your gerbil is dying or already dead. Consult with a veterinarian for a proper diagnosis. Gerbils are popular small pets, but what if you think your gerbil might be dead? While the average human heart rate is between 60 and 100 times per minute, a gerbils heart can beat at 600 bpm. Death usually occurs within 48 hours of symptoms appearing. Therefore, a runny nose can be mistaken for a bleeding nose. (who is kind of the wild one) and put her in her own box with food and water. I'm currently a pet groomer, and I love it. Eye problems occur, especially cataracts. But it can be difficult to figure out what caused your gerbil to, Apples are one of the most commonly eaten fruits. There are several illnesses your gerbil might be experiencing, including hypothermia, diarrhea, dehydration, mites, and poisoning. Lack of appetite is another common symptom. First, make sure they are warm and comfortable. Hey there, I'm Angela. I think my gerbil Dustie had a stroke yesterday. 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. Thesalivationcan take over. Almost all U.S. gerbils are descended from only 20 breeding pairs. A gerbil that's close to death won't eat from this hoard or go foraging for food. If you think your gerbil is dying, the most important thing is to get them to the vet immediately. The best time to do this is when youre reading a book or magazine and have time to spend with your pet. Seizures in gerbils are essentially the same as epilepsy. Ensure the cage is out of the way of drafts. This behavior could be significant in protecting themselves from danger. Things that can stress out a gerbil include strange surroundings, excessive handling, nearby predators (e.g. Death by old age can be sudden too, as gerbils only live for about 2-3 years. According to Brain Research, in gerbils, the circle is incomplete. The point is so that the other gerbils in the group have more food to eat. As it is nutritious and a good energy source, you may want to feed meat to your gerbil. If you think your gerbil is dying, acting fast is essential. Other rodents use urine, but gerbils use a sticky orange substance to conserve water. In fact, it will be necessary to amputate the part of the reached tail. Sep 30, 2018 at 11:08am. Like all rodents, any disease can be fatal. 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. % of people told us that this article helped them. Fleas are small, wingless insects that live in animals' fur (or feathers), sucking blood and causing irritation along the way. Warmth, fresh water, and food should all be provided. Stress can speed up the process of death and make the gerbil uncomfortable in its final hours. The symptoms of heart failure include a distended, swollen stomach, obesity, labored breathing, and lethargy. While it is rare, gerbils are capable of fighting to the death. So, ensure you feed a good gerbil food mix at regular intervals instead. . They readily eat seeds, nuts, roots, grass, and fruit. In captivity, it cant escape the cage. If you have lots of gerbils, a respiratory infection can pass between them easily. If necessary, vets will administer painkillers or a course of antibiotics to treat a painful infection. Stress is commoner in younger gerbils. Sadly, nearly 80% of all gerbils who begin showing symptoms of the disease die within 48 hours. Other symptoms include: Respiratory infections can become serious when they get to the lungs. These may be unrelated to seizures caused by genetics. So, when a gerbil dies, it can take you by surprise. 3. The average resting heart rate of a person is between 60 and 100 beats per minute (BPM). Over time, your gerbils organs like its heart, kidneys, and liver will begin to fail. This bacteria can spread deeper into the lungs. Similarly, if theyre too cold, theyre at risk of hypothermia. Gerbils are especially susceptible because of the structure of their brains. If you dont get to spend much time with your pet, you may not notice these conditions developing. Strokes are distinctive, so if they were the cause of all your gerbils dying, you would know. In people, this structure is a connected circle shape. This should offer some comfort and helps to let your pet know its not alone. While your vet may be able to recommend a treatment, its more likely to be a palliative measure rather than a life-saving one. A gerbil that refuses to eat or has a declining appetite might be ill. Gerbils, like the majority of rodents, adore exercise wheels. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. So the lifespan of a captive or pet gerbil is a lot longer than that of wild gerbils. Heart failure is a condition that can affect any animal with a heart. Which one is correct depends on the specific kind of bacteria affecting your pet. A friend told me she did . Chirping is the most common sound that gerbils make. These can cause serious respiratory illnesses in rodents. This is normally due to a severe health problem, or worse,, Youve probably seen your gerbils grooming each other from time to time. The symptoms of a stroke include difficulty moving or complete paralysis, lethargy, and closed eyes. Learn more. Keep reading to learn tips from our Veterinary co-author on how to determine if your gerbils behavior is normal. [Gerbil Tail Slip Prevention Guide]. However, in gerbils mortality of 80% or more of animals showing symptoms is common. He also stayed mostly to himself and stopped eating and drinking. Ammonia smells like Windex or hair dying products. Even if a gerbil survives every health issue that comes its way, it wont grow that old. If your gerbil has stopped moving, and feels cold to the touch, youre understandably concerned about your pet's welfare. One of the first things you should do if you think your gerbil might be dead is to check for signs of life. Drinking less frequently. 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. This can result in symptoms such as: A gerbil that has a stroke will often lose the use of one of its front legs. Try removing all your current bedding and swapping it with another kind. Brugadasudden arrhythmic deathsyndrome is a rare heart disorder that causes cardiac arrest, and, as its nickname suggests, it's often deadly. This should only cost $20 to $40. 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. {"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":"