Do Gerbils need vaccinations

Answer 1

No, gerbils only need to go to the vet when something is wrong. Signs of a gerbil being ill are listlessness, sleeping alone when in a group, ruffled fur, dull and sleepy eyes, and strained breathing.

To be sure that your gerbil is healthy, check it once a week briefly:

- make sure fur is smooth and sleek, not "puffed up" [sign of respiratory infection and other illnesses]

- make sure eyes look alert and shiny, and that there is no reddish discharge [sign of allergy]

- make sure their nose is clear and not "sore looking" [sign of allergy]

- check that there are no bald spots, especially around neck and base of tail (disregard their scent gland, located at the belly) [sign of mites or just pure boredom]

- make sure there are no lumps or swelling of the scent gland [sign of possible cancer of the scent gland]

- make sure anus is clean, as gerbils are clean creatures [sign of diarrhea and other illnesses]

Generally, if there is an allergy or respiratory infection, it is probably the bedding. Changing it out and replacing it with a different type may solve the issue. Make sure you are not using Cedar or Pine bedding to house your gerbils--the oils in these beddings irritate the gerbil's nose and airways, causing red mucus discharge around eyes and nose and possibly causing respiratory infections, which can lead to death. Make sure your are using recommended beddings, such as Ecobedding, unscented Carefresh, or large flake Aspen.

Bold spots can be caused by mites, which would require veterinary attention, but it is most commonly the gerbil or its cagemate being bored and overgrooming. To test this, throw in a new, gerbil-safe toy, and see if the hair begins to grow back.

Cancer and diarrhea are serious for gerbils, and do require medical attention. Be sure to go to a vet that works with rodents frequently, and ask questions about what they are doing to be sure they can back it up.