Gerbils are small mammals and they have some unusual health conditions that can be common among them.
The small size of these animals poses many difficulties in maintaining the hygiene standards needed to keep them healthy.
Also, the gerbil’s similarity to rodents is another factor leading to their occurrence.
Even so, they are not immune to all diseases. They usually have a lower risk of getting other common diseases as compared to humans.
However, there are still some diseases that you should keep an eye on if your pet is showing signs of them. This article discusses some of the most common gerbil diseases along with their causes and treatments.
What does a depressed gerbil look like?
Depression is a common disease in gerbils.
It is characterized by the gerbil’s loss of interest in their activities, withdrawal from social interactions, and reluctance to move around.
They lose their appetite and become lethargic as well. As with most other diseases, depression can be caused by several factors that vary from one individual to another. Even so, there are some symptoms that you should consider if your pet is showing signs of depression.
The first sign could be seen when your gerbil becomes lethargic or stops eating normally.
Another indicator could be their inability to interact with others or they don’t even seem interested in them anymore.
If this is the case, you might want to get your pet checked out to confirm that they have not contracted something else causing these changes in behavior and mood.
How do you treat a sick gerbil?
If you find that your gerbil has a disease, the first thing you should do is take it to the veterinarian.
Your vet will be able to provide treatment and diagnose the problem.
If you have tried all of these options and still think your pet needs veterinary care, then go ahead and get it done.
In some cases, they may not need medical attention but need a little extra support in their environment.
This could be as simple as giving them more food or water or even some enrichment which will help them build up their strength.
You can also introduce new toys and keep their cage clean if your pet seems depressed or unhappy.
I hope this article helped out with some information regarding common diseases in gerbils. If you want more information on specific diseases, feel free to contact me!
What are the signs of a sick gerbil?
The signs of a gerbil that is not feeling well or has contracted some illness are easy to spot.
These include anorexia, lethargy, abnormal behavior, and altered appetite among others.
If your pet shows any of these symptoms, it could be sick.
The article discusses six diseases that can occur in gerbils and their causes and treatments.
- Respiratory Disease
- Gastrointestinal Disease
- Liver Disease
- Diabetes
- Cancer
- Nutritional Deficiency
What diseases do gerbils carry?
The most common diseases that gerbils carry are parasitic infections.
Many types of parasites can infect the gerbil, including roundworms and tapeworms.
Both of these parasites are transmitted to the pet through eggs or contact with feces.
The other common disease is dermatitis, a skin condition that causes inflammation and itchiness in the fur coat of your gerbil. It becomes worse when they get wet.
As mentioned earlier, some other less-common diseases can affect your pet as well such as respiratory infection, urinary tract infections (UTI), heartworms, and diabetes. However, these diseases are rare among gerbils and rarely require medical care.
Gerbs are amazing creatures that, unfortunately, sometimes get sick.
However, if you catch it early and take your pet to the vet, most diseases can be cured! In this article, we discussed six of the most common gerbil diseases and their causes and treatments. Keep an eye out for these signs to get your furry friend on the mend as soon as possible.
Thanks for reading!
