Where do I buy a helmet for an epileptic gerbil?

Answer 1

Costco sells them, I think. But you really must consider the bigger picture. Sure, a helmet may protect your little rodent during a fit, but a longer range view would mean a more agressive, preventative approach.

It as been proven that epilepsy often runs in bloodlines and new studies are showing that certain breeds of gerbil are more likely to have the disorder. Some of the breeds it occurs in more often are Belgian Tervueren Gerbils, German Gerbils, and Golden Gerbils.

In some instances the seizure will be a one-time occurrence with no further episodes or after effects, so the helmet may be an unnecessary expense if it is only for a one-time event. In other gerbils, epilepsy will be an ongoing battle for the owner and the gerbil. Just because a gerbil is diagnosed with epilepsy doesn’t mean he or she can’t live a long, happy life.

There are several medications that are often used to control or stop the seizures. The most common medications are:

Primadone (Mysoline)
Phenobarbital
Potassium Bromide
Dilantin
Valium (Diazepam)

There will be cases where the medications seem to have no affect and the seizures not only continue to occur but actually worsen. In most instances gerbils that are kept on medications can lead pretty normal lives with few restrictions or changes in routine. Occasionally they will build up a resistance to some of the drugs and will need to change over to others or receive Valium injections to stop the seizures once they occur. You can of course keep some of the Valium for yourself.

As with any disease or condition, your personal veterinarian is the best source for making a diagnosis, education and offering treatment options. If you suspect your gerbil may have either type of epilepsy and you see seizure-like activity, take note of the time, date, length and type of seizure as well as the way the gerbil acts after the seizure has ended. Keep a record of these things for each episode and discuss the problem as soon as possible with the veterinarian. Remember to follow up the conference with information as to any further episodes so he or she will be able to lay out a plan of action for both you and your gerbil for the best possible results.

Good luck. I hope this helped.

Answer 2

There is a little outfit in Berlin called Tongue on Chin motorcycles that stock the new Harley Davidson range of Gerbil accessories. As well as helmets they do the one piece leather suits and a special Rump Rangers insertion kit for when the little fella gets fed up with riding pillion and wants to go back in his hole.

Answer 3

Eh? Very funny. Oh, I am sorry. I didn't know what epileptic means. I would follow the long response about 2 answers above me.

Answer 4

What you do it take half a walnut shell, line it with a bit of velvet, and make a custom harness for him which you would use to keep the helmet on him. Either that or check E-bay. They have everything.

Answer 5

Get the seizures to stop - try giving him/her a small amount of calcium with Vit D. Buy the tablets and crush them into powder, give the little one a SMALL amount mixed with a little water and feed it through a syringe. Seizures will stop very quickly - after this make sure he/she is getting enough calcium in the diet

Answer 6

I actually happen to have a very small gerbil helmet, it has a strobe light built inside of it though (although that may be a little fun) *evil chuckle*

Answer 7

Get one of the old WW2 British seizure alarm helmets they also work for air raids or incoming V2's.

Answer 8

The new G.I. Joe Dolls have some spiffy ones and also retro if you can find the older dolls on E-bay.
Should fit perfect!

Answer 9

Get a rubber band and half a walnut. The ones you buy at the store are a ripoff.

Answer 10

Send me the measurements and we;ll try to get him hooked usually we only do hamsters ; but this is a case we cannot refuse,What color would you like red or green?