We have an almost 3 year old gerbil and she doesn't seem well. She's been lethargic and sleepy and not herself all day and she's breathing strange and her heart rate seems more rapid. I'm afraid to take her out to the vet in this cold weather.. Any thoughts?
Thank you Sarah, for the positive thoughts...my son would love baby gerbils...but she "lives" alone
Thanks mamas...I did realize she's older and she has been slowing down recently. She did rally a little last night and this morning....Thank you so much...I was just curious if this was the end looks like....
Thanks again, she finally passed after 9 nine days of this back and forth thing...kept he comfy in the meantime...now to break the news to my son, her "daddy"....
Three is geriatric for a gerbil. She is old and may simply be nearing her time to cross the veil.
We had a gerbil who lived just about 3 years. We loved that little guy so much. People thought we were crazy to get attached to what was really just like a mouse. He would love to stand up in his cage and come to the front to take a raisin or cheerio out of your hand. They really are adorable pets.
I'm sorry yours is sick, but I'm afraid it just may be her time. Try to make her comfortable even if it means letting her lick some water off your finger. Ours lingered in a sick state only about 24 hours. He had trouble keeping his temperature up, so we warmed him with a hairdryer set on low. We buried him in a spaghetti box in our backyard. He loved chewing on odd boxes from our kitchen, so we thought it was fitting. Best of luck to you.
Three is an old gerbil. :-( It may be time to get ready to say good-bye. If you have a reliable vet with an established relationship, you may be able to call for advice, but sadly, as I learned as a child with my pet rat, there isn't a lot vets can do for the tiny little animals.
I'm sorry.
If you think she is sick, call up a local exotics vet and have her seen. You can bundle up the carrier so she's not cold. Put a fleece blanket in there to burrow in. You'll want a small animal carrier and not one with big holes, of course. Unfortunately this may be old age catching up to her. Little critters don't live long enough. I'm sorry.
3 years is old for most small rodents. She may be dying. I know that's not what you want to hear. It's hard on kids when pets die. It is also possible she's just sick & will be ok, but I wouldn't count on that. Sorry.
I suspect this is normal. She is old in gerbil years. Just make her comfortable, knowing the end is near.
Perhaps you could call the vet and ask. It has to be one who specializes in small animals. I wouldn't spend the money on a vet but one could possibly tell you if this is something that can be fixed. Vets now charge as much for animals as doctors do for people.
