F.A.Q Gerbils

My gerbil has diarrhoea and is not eating. What should I do?

You should take your gerbil to the vet. There are many causes of diarrhoea, and each may need different treatments and care, and the outlook and progress is different for each one. Diarrhoea may be due to a dietary problem, or more seriously an infectious disease, and there is often a strong stress component. It is important that your gerbil gets enough fluids when it has diarrhoea

Diet associated diarrhoea:

• If the diarrhoea is diet associated, it can be because there has been a dramatic change in the diet of an affected gerbil, or else the pet has eaten stale food.

Bacterial infections:

• These can be caused by different agents each needing specific treatments and precautions
• Sometimes it is a good idea to think about cage hygiene and you may need to get a new cage, or else clean it thoroughly with a disinfectant safe for gerbilariums, after your gerbil has finished treatment
• In addition, some gerbils can become carriers after veterinary treatment, and the problem can flare up later on in life if they are stressed