oh dear. Well, I'm not much of an expert on gerbils, but it sounds like
you gerbil is pretty sick. If he's not cleaning himself or have the energy
to walk around much means he is very tired and must feel totally bad (like
you do when you're sick). The labored breathing is a sign of respiratory
infection. If he has been doing this long, your gerbil may die. If he is
thin, he also may not have been eating much lately. He sounds like he is
dying. I would take him to a vet.
I've had three old girls (2.5 years) die within the last year and before
two of them died, in a similar manner. One was cancer, the other was a
respiratory infection. Unfortuenly, I took her to the vet and got her
medicine too late to help her.
Good Luck and Condolances if he dosen't make it. I cried for all of mine.
Janet
Albuquerque, NM
--On Wednesday, November 14, 2001, 5:25 PM +0000 Jane Smith
<[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> Hi im wondering if anyone would know whats wrong with my gerbil.. He is
> laying on his side and not moving except for his paws and head. His legs
> twitch once and awhile. He moves his arms around alot. His breathing is
> labored too. Also he does not open his eyes. He also looks kind of thin
> and opens his mouth. His fur is kind of matted but that might be since he
> hasn't cleaned it. He seems pretty alert except the rest of his body isnt
> moving! Any idea??? Thanks very much
