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AHHH is my gerbil DYING2007-11-24 21:57:27

My gerbil is just laying there motionless! It's one of them. These past few days, it's been feeling a bit lighter than the other one, but we didn't think it was something important or anything. What if it's sick?!

I know it's alive because its eyes are open and it's occasionally shivering. Also, when I scooped it up in my hands, it flinched but barely moved. Usually it leaps away from my hand in the cage, but it didn't, it was too weak! It's laying there, body stretched out on its belly, and it's occasionally shivering. My brother says it's a stroke, but I'm not sure if it's really a stroke. Is it only sick? What should we do? Will my gerbil die?? :-(

Also, there's red stuff under its chin.

Answers:

I'm so sorry about your lil friend. Exotics and lil rodents are so sensitive and difficult to diagnose. More than likely, he had a pre-existing ailment. Though his life was short, he was cared for & love, which makes his life full and with purpose.

If your gerbels were together, I would first clean EVERYthing thoroughly, replacing ground cover and food with fresh, just to be safe. If you get a companion for your existing lil firend, I'd keep them close, but separate to start.

Each pet offers us something, so no matter how limited their life might be, they offer and teach us something. If anything, to deal with the unpleasantness of life. Sencere Regards...

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I'm so sorry! It does sound like it may be in the final stages of life ... my daughters hamster recently died and what you have described sounds EXACTLY like her last few days of life. Is the gerbil eating? Our hamster would not eat ... even her favorite treats!