>> We've got a sick female gerbil over here. The bumpy bit at the
>> base of her
>> tail is swollen to about 4x the size of the bump that her
>> cagemate has. I'm
>> not too sure on my gerbil anatomy, but that's the urinary bit, right?
I'm
>> wondering what the problem is, and what I can do. My guess is that it's
a
>> kind of urinary tract infection, maybe. Any help would be appriciated.
>>
>> She likes to fuss with it. She bends around and (I think) chews
>> at it. It
>> looks like she's trying to do a headstand, and will usually end up doing
a
>> roll, head first. While this is quite cute, I'm pretty sure it's
painful.
>
>Hmmm. An update of sorts. Her belly is also very WET. All over the
belly,
>inside of the hind legs too. What the hell?
Whatever's swelled is causing problems with her being able to void.
She finally let go by the sounds of it.
>Austin (the Gerbster in question) seems to be doing better this morning.
>She's not as obsessed with it as she was before, and the swelling seems to
>have gone down. Last night we put her on the bottle antibiotic, so that
may
>have had some effect.
Yep. Sounds like she's taking a turn for the better.
>Again, I ask the list - Does anyone know what this is?
Sounds like an infection, either urinary tract or reproductive system;
or a gland blockage. Without seeing the animal, I can't say more.
Vet consultation is about the only way to proceed.
Deb Rebel
Rebel's Rodent Ranch
