Hey all,
Yesterday, while picking up some supplies at a pet store, I came across a baby
gerb that had obviously been dropped. The poor little guy was running in
circles and his head was tilted to the left, not to mention the fact that the
other gerbs were beating on him pretty badly. I brought this to the attention
of the management and they said he was born with a leg problem. *rolls eyes* I
couldn't believe they tried pulling that crap on me. I told him there was
nothing wrong with the little guys legs at all and that it looked like brain
damage to me. The manager finished what she was doing and went on her way, as
did I. I came across tubing that went with the safari habitrail (I use it with
my dwarves) and was shocked to see that there were no ventilation holes anywhere
in the tubes! *shakes head* It really makes me mad when companies only think
of product and not the welfare of an animal. They really should take the time
and research. Anywho...*stops her rant* The little gerb was going to die by
the teeth of the other gerbs, by the hands of the store, or get eaten by a
snake. Sometimes I just don't understand the way life works. *sighs* So, being
the sappy person I am (and my boyfriend is), we took the gerb for free to give
him a little love before he dies. When I got him home, I checked him over and
found 2 ribs that have been broken and are healing okay. He doesn't appear to
be in any pain, even though his balance is horrible, his head is tilted and his
tail is straight up (for balance). Without the other gerbs picking on him, he
acts just like a normal baby gerb (minus the circles and rolling) and is very
lovable. I have noticed that his urine in a very dark yellow and smells REALLY
strong. I was thinking that it was because the water bottle was too high and
difficult for him to reach, he has drank alot of water since I've got him home.
Could that have been it or does he have a slow internal bleed somewhere? I have
him in a cage all by himself, lots of tp and cardboard set up for him to play
in. He loves dog biscuits and the pellets. I haven't seen him eating anything
else. He appears to be having a ball in the new home. Is there anything else I
have missed?
Thanks
Gina
Oh yeah, after working with him for several hours, the little guy can walk
straight. Unfortunately this only lasts above 5 minutes after I put him back
though. I'm hoping a little "physical therapy" will maybe solve most of his
problem. I know it wont fix everything, but maybe it'll teach him easier ways
to balance and cure a little bit of the circle syndrome.
