My old gerbil seems sick. What should I do if my gerbil is dying?

Thanks for reaching out. In general, if a gerbil is sick or upset, a behavioral changes is likely noted, such as decreased activity or appetite. If you observe some of these signs, it could mean she is ill. If you are concerned, a veterinary visit is recommended. Good luck.

I'm sorry that this is happening. It is recommended that you take her to a vet. If they find that they cannot help her at least they can put her to sleep so she doesn't suffer. But if they can help her, then they can dispense some treatment.

Without a physical exam, it is difficult to determine what the lump is and what her medical status is currently. Ideally, she should be examined by your veterinarian. Antibiotics can be dispensed for minor infection. A fine needle aspirate can be done to collect samples for pathology. She is "old" for a gerbil, but more information would be needed before determine a course of action, let alone euthanasia.

Hello, I would recommend taking Lightning into your veterinarian as soon as possible. It sounds like she is very weak, possibly from illness or pain, and requires immediate medical attention. Hair falling out can be a sign of skin mites in gerbils, and the discomfort can lead to a lack of appetite and energy. I hope this is helpful. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Nightingale sounds very sick. My best advice is for you to get him to a vet for an exam as soon as possible. His symptoms are not specific for any one illness or disease process so there is not much I can tell you without examining him myself. Your vet will need to see him to get this figured out and to get him the proper treatment. Best wishes.

If he will allow, check his teeth for overgrowth or misalignment. Also, look for obvious signs of infection or injury. This may include redness, swelling, bleeding, bruising or discharge. If you see anything suspicious, he will need to be seen by your veterinarian for confirmation and treatment. If his teeth are fine, clean his cage and sanitize bowls, water bottle, toys and hides. Discard anything that cannot be sanitized. Maintain a stable temperature and keep him as stress free as possible. If his symptoms persist, a veterinary exam will be needed.

This cannot wait until Monday. Please take him into an ER vet clinic; if there isn't one in your area, there will be a vet on call for emergencies. The information to reach that vet is found on a clinic's answering machine or website.