ok, i have 2 gerbils, who are brothers and they have grown up together. i've had them for about 6 months. one is dove colored (greyish white) and the other is black. the dove one has a marking around his eye that was not there before, and im not sure what it is. i don't know if it is either blood or dirt or what. they've never injured each other before, but they do play fight i think from time to time. he has red eyes, and it looks like a reddish brownish coloring is surrounding his right eye, but that color is not anywhere else on his body. there is no dirt in their cage and no other traces of blood in their cage. they are both moving around fine and he doesn't seem to know its there. what could this be?
2007-06-24 13:21:34 · 6 answers · asked by carpetsharks 4 in Pets ➔ Rodents
They have normal glands behind their eyes that secrete a red liquid called porphyrins. Under stress or with certain diseases they can have an overflow of tears and this can be misinterpreted as bleeding. Teeth that are too long can cause red tears. If you think there is an injury, have an experienced vet that sees pocket pets routinely check him out.
2007-06-24 13:48:47 · answer #1 · answered by KimbeeJ 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i had that same problem with my rat. dont worry about it at ALL. it is a common thing called the red tears. this is where your rodents eye has gotten dry, so they tear out liquid that only looks like blood, and uses it to to rehydrate their eye. in order to clean it up just take either a babywipe, a soft papertowl, or gause, and get it wet, and then just gently rub and it will come off easily! dont worry about a thing
2007-06-24 13:51:03 · answer #2 · answered by jessjess 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
it could be a busted blood vessel in his eye. this can be from play fighting, being held to hard (not that you have), and such. also if he were to bump into something that could cause it as well. at times theres really nothing you can do, but I would suggest seeing a vet anyway.
2007-06-25 12:37:05 · answer #3 · answered by Dawn M 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Probably from a little play fight from his brother.
2007-06-24 15:44:14 · answer #4 · answered by ER 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's probably just a little nip from his brother when they were play fighting. I wouldn't be too worried unless you see more on his body, then you should seperate them.
2007-06-24 13:40:07 · answer #5 · answered by meric 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Red tears. Don't worry!
2007-06-24 14:29:46 · answer #6 · answered by MaYdAy PaRaDe <3 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋