We've seen this in pet store animals and have no idea. If the baytril has no effect after a few days, try something else. Maybe she has a "feminine" infection? Has she been impregnated? Females cats can have pregnancies turn sour. Maybe she has a urinary/vaginal infection (similar to human females-Candida and urinary infections) that causes itchiness, she would then chew on it to relieve the itchies. Is the blood a result of the chewing, or part of the "problem," or can you even tell? Animals can also have STD's. Cats and dogs can get feline and canine "HIV," even chlamydia. Maybe she has something like that (which could also cause the itchies). Has she been in heat at all? Some animals, if they do not copulate, can rub themselves to relieve the "happy" feelings. (Like dogs scooting their rears across the floor.) Dunno if gerbils do that, but maybe she has done that or something to get an irritant in/on her "area." Not sure much of that is plausible, but there's a bunch of guesses. We're sure very few vets know the proper pH or bacterial balances of a gerbil's area, which doesn't help.
Good luck and let us know since lots of us will probably see this some day!--
ron & traci
things-that-squeak
From: Madison Consort <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Reply-To: Madison Consort <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Date: Fri, 19 Oct 2001 18:39:21 -0700
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: SOS - Female gerbil problem
Hi there -
Bhaloo, a 1 1/2 year old female gerbil, is having major problems with an irritated vulva (button where urine exits).
We went to the vet, and he put her on baytril. Has anyone ever had this happen? She is really chewing on it, and actually losing a bit of blood. It looks like she is in a lot of discomfort, but our vet doesn't seem to really have experience in this. We are at our wits end because we can't find a vet who really knows gerbils!!!!!! Arghhhh!!!
She has been on Baytril for three days, .04 CCs per day, and there has been no effect.
Jennifer
