My gerbil is spinning and then laying down for hours. Is it sick?

Hi there! The symptoms that Nova is exhibiting are very concerning, especially the hypothermia. Rodents are very susceptible to a decrease in body temperature, and this could be life-threatening for her. The circling could be caused by multiple issues, including an ear infection, vestibular disease (a condition that affects an animal's balance), or a brain tumor. It sounds like she needs to get to the vet as soon as possible to determine the cause of her symptoms, and if they are treatable. Depending on the cause, Nova could be in pain, so she should be seen ASAP. In the meantime, I suggest keeping Nova warm and separating her from any other gerbils you have to minimize stress. Good luck, and I hope Nova recovers!

This could just be Biscit's personality or he could be not feeling well. If he is eating good and willing to play or move around some, then you may not be that concerned. If not or you aren't sure, I would have a vet take a look at him to see if there is anything else going on. Your vet should be able to get him started on the proper treatment plan to help him feel better if needed. I hope this helps!

Your gerbil may be quite sick or possibly injured. Without an exam, it is difficult to determine what the underlying cause may be. If he will allow, gently open his mouth and check his teeth for overgrowth or misalignment. This could affect his appetite which, in turn, could lead to the other symptoms. If his teeth are too long, your veterinarian can trim them. If they appear normal, there may be something else causing his symptoms. Ideally, Zach should be physically examined by your veterinarian to diagnose and treat any infection or injury.

Ideally, you should have her physically examined by your veterinarian. An exam and may diagnostics, such as a fine needle aspirate, may determine what the mass is and if it is dangerous. For now, keep the cage clean, dry and warm and keep Mitzi as stress free as possible.

Thanks for reaching out about Snickers. It sounds as if she is painful. A veterinary visit is recommended. Check for appetite, water consumption, urination and defecation. Offer water via a syringe of no urine or drinking detected. Good luck.

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.

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.