We don't think it is an allergy since we have changed the bedding and it doesn't help. She has had a little red spot on her nose for months but now it has gotten bigger, scabbed, and now the scab fell off and she has blood on her paws. Our other gerbil seems fine.
2006-06-15 10:41:02 · 9 answers · asked by Kit 2 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
What bedding are you using now? If you started using Pine or Cedar, change.
Some gerbils are allergic to Aspen bedding, try switching to carefresh.
What kind of cage is he in? If he is in a plastic/wire cage, then that is probably what is causing it. (chewing on the wire will make him lose the hair on his nose and then get a scab ) And in that case, change to an aquarium. Do you have plastic toys in the tank? He may be chewing on the plastic and that can cause his nose to tear up.
Does he have any other marks on him? Are you sure he hasn't gotten in a fight? Usually when gerbils fight, they have marks on their tails or neck, not their noses, so if there are no other wounds, then it probably was not caused by fighting.
You may want to put some vaseline on it to help it heal. If it doesn't get better, take him to a vet.
Good luck!
Also - Listen to his breathing, is he making a clicking noise? If he is, than he probably has an upper respiratory infection, and in that case, take him to a vet ASAP, gerbils can die from RI in in a short period of time.
2006-06-15 11:23:40 · answer #1 · answered by Trina P 2 · 8⤊ 1⤋
It could be allergies. I don't know what bedding you were using, but I do know from experience that gerbils can be allergic to aspen bedding. Timothy hay can also have the same result.
Gerbils can also be obsessive about grooming. So a gerbil who suffers from a bloody nose will continue to pick at it, making it worse.
I was given the following advice by my vet. Use this obsessive grooming habit to your advantage, dab a very, very small amount of neosporin on the area. The gerbil will then rub the ointment in without you having to do it. I only needed to do this twice a day for a few days before I started to see an improvement. Once I saw an improvement I stopped using the neosporin. But, before considering this you should take the animal to the vet. Some specialize in small animal care and that is the best way to get insure a safe and effective treatment.
Also consider using Yesterday's News for small animals instead of other beddings such as Aspen or even Carefresh. It is more cost effective, and it stops odor better than the others. You will have to change it out less often, and the gerbils will love it. You can find it at your local Petsmart or buy it online.
2006-06-16 12:36:12 · answer #2 · answered by Oracle 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Could she have been bitten by the other gerbil? They may have fought and one got hurt and keeps scratching at the wound. Does there seem to be any swelling, lump, or abnormal growth on the area? I know that domestic rats are prone to cancer (I had one who died of cancer), but I'm not sure about gerbils. Best thing is to find a small-animal specialist and take her there for an evaluation.
2006-06-15 10:48:56 · answer #3 · answered by Antique Silver Buttons 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe the other germbills is biting him when he's sleeping and now has a broken nose. Its probably broken from a fight they had. And - It could be infected. Maybe he stole some of his food and he tried to get back at him and pawwed at his nose and broke it... If you have some old penicillin tablets. Break one open and rub a little on nose.. And see if you can get them germbills to make friends with each otehres. Good luck
2006-06-15 10:48:16 · answer #4 · answered by johncharlesrealty 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do you have an exercise wheel in the cage? Our gerbil "dinged" his nose on the wheel. Also, check it for any sharp points or worn edges. It is hard to get this to heal. Try to use a pet safe product (non-toxic) that contains aloe vera. This should help the healing.
2006-06-15 10:47:37 · answer #5 · answered by hhnews 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Have you been having Severe Head-aches previous to the Nose Bleeds? Could be Caused through Migraine and/or Stress. See your Doctor. I used to get Migraines and the Nose bleeds adopted the Migraine.
2016-09-09 03:49:14 · answer #6 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Have your two gerbils been fighting, or did she get any other sort of injury? Take her to a vet and get some topical medication.
2006-06-15 10:47:39 · answer #7 · answered by Audrey A 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Research 'Upper respiratory infection', and see if the symptoms are common. Also look to see if she has more rapid breathing than your other gerbil.
2006-06-15 11:00:42 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The gerbil will stop bleeding if you stop playing Richard Gere with it!
2006-06-15 11:33:12 · answer #9 · answered by hrntjmpr 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋