Diarrhoea In Gerbils

Your gerbil's faeces should normally be firm in texture, and dark in colour. A change in either texture or colour - especially to a watery texture or a lighter colour - usually signals a problem. Causes of diarrhoea in gerbils include:

Stressors such as changes in temperature, lighting, or environment
Too many vegetables or greens in the diet
Tyzzer's disease, a bacterial infection caused by Clostridium piloforme

If your gerbil has diarrhoea, dehydration is an immediate concern and can become serious. Try to get your gerbil to drink water. If you can trace the start of the diarrhoea to a stressor such as a change in diet or new surroundings, simply remove the suspected cause and see if the diarrhoea stops. Otherwise, you need to contact your veterinarian for assistance as soon as possible, but no later than within 24 hours of onset.

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Your veterinarian may recommend the use an antibiotic liquid specially formulated to treat the symptoms of diarrhoea in small pets. As with any medication, administer it as directed, observe your pet for improvement, and contact your veterinarian if you have any questions or concerns.

If your pet's diarrhoea has soiled his home, clean his cage as soon as possible to promote optimal hygiene and an environment that facilitates healing/recuperation. Cage Cleaner & Deodorizer can simplify the job and help you get your pet back into clean, familiar territory in no time.

About the Author:

Drs. Foster & Smith Educational Staff

http://www.drsfostersmith.com

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