Sorry to say - this poor little fella had a mild stroke, he can recover if
you allow him.
How old is this little fella?
-----Original Message-----
From: Gerbil Discussion List [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]On Behalf Of
Tana and The Little Rascals
Sent: Monday, March 12, 2001 7:52 PM
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: Advice needed - illness
I need some wisdom from all of you experts out there ...
Thursday evening I noticed my 3 year old Spunky was holding his head
tilted with the right side down. He is wobbly when he walks but I can't
tell for sure if it's dizziness or weakness on the right side. He does
use both paws when holding food or cardboard for chewing. He is able to
get around ok, so far. He is eating, drinking, and playing normally.
He even tries to climb up my arm; he's just a bit too wobbly for me to
feel comfortable with him doing that. His fur and eyes appear normal
with the exception that his right eye looks like it might be a bit
smaller now than the left - I'm not sure. His weight doesn't seem to
have changed. He doesn't act sick. No diarrhea either, that I can
tell. I have had tetracycline in his water since Thursday, thinking it
might be an inner ear infection, possibly cholesteatoma as described on
Julian's site. No change. I have also thought of the possibility of
stroke, and I know there isn't really anything I can do about that. I
am considering calling the vet tomorrow, though, in case it is an
infection and he simply isn't responding to the tetracycline, or he
needs an anti-inflammatory. I am not sure if it's necessary, though, in
light of the fact that he does not appear sick at all. It seems that
this is bothering me a heck of a lot more than that it bothers him!
Money is tight right now and I hate to take him if it isn't necessary -
though of course if it is I will.
One other thing - I've noticed the head tilt gets more pronounced when I
lean over his tank. It's as though he's looking up at me with his left
eye - I wonder if he can see out of the right eye? Would that be an
indication of stroke?
Opinions? Suggestions?
--
Tana and The Little Rascals
http://members.home.com/tlr-gerbilry
