Gerbils are hardy rodent pets that
rarely get sick, but one disease that they are particularly
susceptible to is Tyzzer's disease. Once your gerbil gets this
disease, he or she will need a lot of care to help him or her pull
through. The disease is also often fatal even with great care, so
earliest intervention is important.
Here is more about Tyzzer's disease,
how gerbils contract it, and how you can keep your pet healthy.
What Is Tyzzer's Disease?
Tyzzer's disease is a serious bacterial
infection involving the Clostridium piliforme
bacterium.
This type of bacteria is transmitted through the feces of an infected
animal and affects many different mammal species. The bacterium
remains present in an environment for long periods if it is not
properly removed.
Gerbils are especially susceptible to
Tyzzer's disease because they easily catch the disease from other
species while most other animals only catch it from their own
species. Gerbils also have a much higher mortality rate than other
rodents.
What Animals Catch Tyzzer's Disease?
Many mammal species can pick up this
disease, most notably guinea pigs, mice, rats, hamsters, and rabbits.
Newborn foals have also been known to contract the disease.
Fortunately, Tyzzer's disease does not affect humans; however, you
can carry the bacteria on you and potentially affect another animal
if you don't take precautions.
What Are the Symptoms of Tyzzer's
Disease?
Diarrhea is one of the most common and
noticeable Tyzzer's disease symptoms. Gerbils usually have firm,
almost dry, rice-sized feces. These feces are designed to conserve
water in gerbils' extremely dry desertlike environment, so soft or
messy stools are a sign of a serious problem. The stools will also be
very dark, possibly due to internal organ failure.
Your gerbil, if infected, will not eat
and will appear lethargic, possibly hiding more than usual. He or she
may have a hunched over posture. He or she may lose weight and appear
emaciated very quickly. When you pick up your sick gerbil, he or she
may seem limp or tired. The body temperature is also likely to be
warmer than usual from a fever.
What Treatments Are Effective With
Tyzzer's Disease?
If you manage to bring your gerbil to
the veterinarian early enough for a good prognosis, then the gerbil
will need antibiotics to fight the disease. You must bring your
gerbil in as soon as you see symptoms because this disease moves very
fast. He or she may need to stay at the office until the veterinarian
is certain that the antibiotics are working.
When you take your gerbil back home,
you must keep your sick gerbil away from any other pets and clean any
communal cages or enclosures immediately. The entire cage will need
sterilization, including the food and water dishes. If that is not
possible, then you may need an entirely new enclosure. Always wash
your hands after you handle the sick gerbil or the infected bedding
and food containers.
What Are Some Ways to Prevent
Tyzzer's Disease?
Generally, diligent cage cleaning and
regular bedding changes should keep your gerbils healthy. Though
gerbils are highly social, don't try to crowd them into a single
habitat. Two gerbils are usually ideal enough for socialization and
health. If you wish to add a new gerbil to your habitat, ask your
veterinarian about the proper quarantine time so that you can keep
your existing gerbils healthy.
Gerbils are very strong and rarely get
sick, but when they have Tyzzer's disease, they won't get well
without immediate medical intervention. That's why you need to bring
your pet to Pet
Medical Center of Vero Beach
for help. We work with all
kinds of pets, including small exotic pets like gerbils. Call us or
use our online form to set up the next available appointment for your
pet.
