How do you treat a red nose in a gerbil?
Your veterinarian will begin by cleaning the porphyrin deposits and irritated parts of the face and applying topical medications to encourage healing. If your gerbil has scratched to the point that there are lesions, further treatment will be necessary.
How do you know if your gerbil is in pain?
If your gerbil is in pain, he may squeak or nip at you.
Why is my gerbils nose swollen?
Stresses such as overcrowding, weaning and environmental variations can cause an increased secretion of porphyrin-containing fluid from the Harderian gland. Accumulation of these secretions around the nostrils and eyes may result in irritation, self-induced trauma and secondary bacterial infections.
What is the best bedding for gerbils?
Carefresh or cardboard shavings – This is soft, cozy bedding that is great for tunnelling. It’s digestible, and gerbils can’t get tangled up in it. Shredded paper – A long as the paper is ink- and dye-free, shredded paper can be a good choice of bedding, and has the benefit of being cheap too.
Should I take my gerbil to the vet?
Gerbils require at least annual physical examinations and fecal tests to check for parasites. Neutering also can be discussed with the veterinarian. Older gerbils should be checked by a veterinarian twice a year. Gerbils do not require vaccines, but they do require annual examinations.
What do you do if your gerbil breaks its leg?
It is best to take your gerbil to see a veterinarian immediately if you suspect it has fractured a bone, as the injury could worsen or the bone could mend improperly, affecting your gerbil’s mobility.
Why does my gerbil have blood around its nose?
Dried blood around your gerbil’s nose indicates that your gerbil has an allergy to something in its vicinity. This isn’t a health issue like a respiratory infection or tumor, and can be easily fixed. You will notice that your gerbil rubs its nose frequently. This irritates the area, which then produces a sticky red fluid.
What can I do for my gerbil’s face and nose?
Keep the humidity levels below 50 percent and the ambient temperature between 60-70°F, feed your gerbil a nutritionally balanced diet, and provide clean, sufficient living space and compatible cage mates. Simple management techniques like these can help to prevent irritation of the face and nose due to porphyrin deposits in your gerbil.
What to do if your gerbil is bleeding?
If your gerbil is bleeding, this is always a negative symptom that requires treatment. The causes vary, but it could be a severe open wound after fighting, which could cause your gerbil to die. Identify the source of the blood, e.g. the eye, nose, scent gland, base of the tail, etc. Through doing so, you should learn why your gerbil is bleeding.
Is it normal for a gerbil to cry?
It’s normal to see some red tears from time to time. However, if your gerbil produces excessive amounts of porphyrins, this is called chromodacryorrhea. It’s triggered by stress or illness. Grooming, scratching, and biting or digging at the cage are all normal gerbil behaviors.
Dried blood around your gerbil’s nose indicates that your gerbil has an allergy to something in its vicinity. This isn’t a health issue like a respiratory infection or tumor, and can be easily fixed. You will notice that your gerbil rubs its nose frequently. This irritates the area, which then produces a sticky red fluid.
When to take a gerbil with a sore nose to the vet?
In some cases, the bacteria from the sore nose can spread to other areas of your gerbil’s body, such as its paws and abdominal area. The sores or scabs in these areas may be red and inflamed. If the sores spread to other areas of the gerbil’s body, bring it to the vet immediately. This means the infection is spreading and has become severe.
When does a gerbil go back to its normal life?
Back to normal: When the cause of the allergy will be found and treated, the lost fur will grow back in its nose and the gerbil will get back to its normal activities.
If your gerbil is bleeding, this is always a negative symptom that requires treatment. The causes vary, but it could be a severe open wound after fighting, which could cause your gerbil to die. Identify the source of the blood, e.g. the eye, nose, scent gland, base of the tail, etc. Through doing so, you should learn why your gerbil is bleeding.