Early Warning Signs of Illness in Your Gerbil
Inactivity
Hunched posture
Loss of appetite or weight
Dehydration
Changes in color, consistency, odor, or amount of urine and feces
Gerbils are active and enjoy climbing and burrowing. Appropriate housing for these animals provides opportunities for both. Maintaining a clean environment and providing a high-quality commercial diet formulated for gerbils help ensure that your pet remains healthy.
Housing
Gerbils must be kept in a cage with a solid (non-mesh) bottom because they often stand up on their hind legs. An ordinar
Gerbils are available at many pet stores, or they can often be obtained from a local breeder. When selecting a pet gerbil, you should look for one that has smooth glossy fur, clear eyes, and no obvious signs of trauma such as limping or hair loss on the body or tail. There should be no discharge from the eyes or nose and no signs of diarrhea in the gerbil’s environment. Healthy gerbils are usually lively and curious. If any of the gerbils show signs of illness such as matte
Never lift a gerbil up by its tail. Gerbils’ tails are delicate and can be easily injured. The best way to remove a gerbil from its cage is to use both hands and scoop it up under its belly. Do not squeeze the gerbil. Until the gerbil is accustomed to being handled, hold it close to the ground so that if it falls, it will not fall far and hurt itself. It is recommended that you hold the gerbil over its cage or over your lap, so if it wriggles out of your hands, it ca
Many of the disorders and diseases that are known to occur in fish are the result of stress, poor water quality, overcrowding, and failure to quarantine any new or sick fish to avoid spread of disease. These factors can all be minimized by appropriate care and good hygiene. Infections caused by bacteria, protozoa, viruses, fungi, or parasites may also occur.
Heart and Blood Vessel Disorders
Fish
In an aquarium or pond, successful breeding largely depends on nutrition and environmental conditions that are sometimes very specific. In the wild, these conditions might be seasonal changes, water conditions, the amount of daylight, and the availability of specific food sources. The amount of daylight is generally less important in tropical species because hours of sunlight in tropical regions near the equator stay fairly constant year round. Temperate-water and co
Most home aquarium and pond emergencies are not truly medical in nature. They generally involve something going wrong with the aquatic environment such as a leak or an electrical problem with a heater or pump. In many cases, fast action can resolve the emergency. Make sure that all electrical items are grounded or have a circuit-breaking function along the power line. The possibility of leaks and spills, and their consequences, can also be lessened through planning a
Preventing disease is always preferable to treating it. In most cases, a comprehensive fish health management program should focus on water quality, nutrition, sanitation (maintenance and cleaning), and quarantine. Work with a knowledgeable fish veterinarian or fish keeper to establish a management program for the particular species of fish you have.
Signs of Illness
Fish show si