Sarah <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote
>Oh dear,
>
>I am simply horrified with my findings of one my much loved gerbils, Riley.
>He was fine yesterday, as active and curious as usual. This evening
>when going to take him out he seems unwell.
>
>The first thing I noticed was he was squinting (nearly closing) his left eye. I
>took him out and he didn't move much. Very lethargic in my hand, and
>obvious balance problems on his left side. Putting him back in his cage
>and he didn't move at all. Picking him back up, he wouldn't move when I
>held him in my hands. After a few minutes he began to move, but
>seemed as if he was walking circles in my hand.
>
>10 minutes later he is now in his cage, he was acting normal, maybe 5
>minutes. And again stood perfectly still lethargic like for 2/3 minutes.
>
>Now he seems fine, chewing the tp roll I gave him.
>
>Advice, or answers?
>
>Sarah and her dear Riley
>
Maybe a stroke, Does he hold his head to the left? If so it may be a
cholesteatoma.
This is a cyst that forms in the ear and can damage the balance organs
Either way, if the gerbil is still drinking then it should make a good
recovery over the next week or so. Although it may not get back to his
old self the chances of a good recovery are good.
You might want to give an antibiotic for a week in case an infection
takes hold in his weakened state.
--
Julian
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
National Gerbil Society
http://www.gerbils.co.uk/
