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Gerbil Diseases

If your gerbil seems sick, if he or she isn't eating or drinking the normal amount, or if your baby seems lethargic, call us at (301) 365-5448 to schedule an appointment.

Respiratory infections

Symptoms

Lethargy, depression, coughing or sneezing, disinterest in food, discharge from the eyes or nose

Diagnosis and Treatment

Schedule an appointment with us to have one of our Doctors evaluate your gerbil.

Sore Nose

An inflammation of the skin on the nose

Symptoms

Redness and possible hair loss in the surrounding fur.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Schedule an appointment with us immediately to have one of our Doctors evaluate your gerbil.

Ringworm

A fungal skin infection, not a worm. This is the only infection that can be spread to humans, but easily treatable with a cream at home. It can be prevented in humans by washing your hands after handling your gerbil.

Symptoms

A ring-like red rash on the skin. This rash can be itchy and uncomfortable to your gerbil.

Diagnosis

In the hospital we will pluck a few hairs off your gerbil and place them inside a culture jar and left to grow. Fungus appears within 7 days and then ringworm fungus may be detected.

Treatment

Ringworm can be treated with a topical cream at home. It usually resolves within a week.

Malocclusion

The overgrowth of a gerbil's teeth. Gerbils have open-rooted (hypsodontic) incisors, premolars and molars that grow continuously. Genetic disposition (in breeding), poor diet, trauma, or infection can cause the teeth to overgrow.

Symptoms

Weight loss, lethargy, the inability to chew food, and excessive salivation (“slobbers”).

Diagnosis

Careful examination of the gerbil's mouth and teeth. The mouth of a gerbil is very narrow, which makes it difficult to see the back teeth. An otoscope or other scope can be used to see the back teeth.

Treatment

Trimming the teeth with brief sedation routinely (every 4 – 6 weeks) for the rest of the gerbil's life.

Fractures

Gerbils are fragile and are susceptible to injury

Diagnosis and Treatment

Schedule an appointment with us to have one of our Doctors evaluate your gerbil.