I have an older female (2 1/2yrs) with this problem- we believe it is due to a developing ovarian cyst or adrenal tumor causing an overproduction of sex hormones.
The best treatment I have found so far has been veterinary antibiotic ointment (bacitracin, polymyxin, neomycin together) applied to the area twice daily. Do not use steroid-based topical antibiotics on it (something with cortisone, for example). Make sure to keep the gerbil busy for at least 5 minutes after application to allow time for the meds to be absorbed for maximum effectiveness. On the chance that you might be dealing with an infection of the urinary tract, I would suggest switching to a sulfa-based oral antibiotic (trimethoprim sulfa)- that tends to be the drug of choice for UTI in rodents, guinea pigs, etc. over Baytril. Good luck! Jill ---------- From: Madison Consort <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: SOS - Female gerbil problem Date: Friday, October 19, 2001 9:39 PM 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
