I have two male gerbils - two and a half years old - and a couple of weeks
ago one of them developed a growth on his scent gland. I took him to see a
vet who told me that he should have it removed, and when I asked about risks
from the anaesthetic I was told that it would be no more risky than for a
cat or a dog. I was going to book him in for the operation but then
decided to get a second opinion from another vet, who advised me against
putting him through an operation, partly because of the risk from the
anaesthetic, which he said would be significantly higher than for a cat or a
dog, and partly because there was no bleeding and my gerbil didn't seem to
be at all bothered by it. However, it has now started to bleed and
obviously there is a risk of infection. Has anybody any advice on what I
should do - and does anyone know which vet was right with regard to the
risks from anaesthetic?
I should also mention that around four months ago the same gerbil was very
ill - he hardly moved for days, was off his food etc. I took him to a vet
who said that he was obviously very ill but didn't have any idea what was
wrong with him. After a week long course of antibiotics and some baby food
he perked up and now seems to have made a full recovery, although he's still
a bit thinner and less active than he was and he also doesn't eat as much.
Does anyone know if this could be connected to his present problem?
Any advice would be much appreciated!
Hayley
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