Gerbil wheezing?

[Joelle]

One of my gerbils was wheezing last night while she was sleeping. However, since then I have not heard it. I have held her up to my ear and she sounds clear, so maybe she was just squeaking? :Love_Icon

The exotic vets around me on LI charge upwards of $100 for a visit, so I do not want to bring her in just yet. I have antibiotic for a mouse, would it hurt her to give her a bit in case she has the start of an upper respiratory infection? She is 55 grams, so a bit bigger than a mouse. If it is alright to share medicine, should I just give her the same dosage, or proportion it to fit her weight? (I think the mouse was around 30 grams) :dono

Please note that if her symptoms get worse, I have every intention of bringing her to a vet. But I do not want to jump the gun at $100 for a visit plus the cost of medicine! :nono

[stosh2010]

Hi Joelle, I don't know about the meds...a rehabber or experienced TSB person should be on soon.
Could it be an alergic reaction? Any new items in the area? Branches, cloth, food, treats???

[Jackie in Tampa]

HI:wave123
what do you think the wheezing is?
are you thinking pnuemonia?
are you syringe feeding?
are you thinking allergy?, no ABs if so...
I am not a grebil person, however if you tell me what meds you have, I will do some quick research and may be able to tell you if the meds can be used for gerbils..I will need strength and name..
Anti biotics should be fresh.
I am not telling you to use the ABs, as I have no clue what's going on with your little one..
Please post his diet and habitat info, does he have sibs? his age etc...TY!
Can you post a video or pics for the rehabbers and gerbil friends to view..?:thumbsup
Hoping someone can help, sorry for the questions... :wave123

[Joelle]

HI:wave123
what do you think the wheezing is?
are you thinking pnuemonia?
are you syringe feeding?
are you thinking allergy?, no ABs if so...
I am not a grebil person, however if you tell me what meds you have, I will do some quick research and may be able to tell you if the meds can be used for gerbils..I will need strength and name..
Anti biotics should be fresh.
I am not telling you to use the ABs, as I have no clue what's going on with your little one..
Please post his diet and habitat info, does he have sibs? his age etc...TY!
Can you post a video or pics for the rehabbers and gerbil friends to view..?:thumbsup
Hoping someone can help, sorry for the questions... :wave123

She's a rescue I took in May of last year, when she was probably about a month old. She lives with her mom in a tank with a cage topper and we use carefresh bedding. They are currently eating "Wild Harvest" gerbil and hamster food, which we store in the freezer to prevent bugs from hatching.

We call her "Runty" because she was the runt of the litter, and the only one of her siblings we didn't adopt out. She had labored breathing when we first received her and had difficulty walking. She still sometimes has difficulty walking on the bars of the cage, but uses the wheel, and seems to eat alright. I just heard faint wheezing last night and got worried. Today she seems fine but I just want to be on top of it. I thought it could be an upper respiratory infection, but that could quickly become pneumonia.

I will get you the name of the antibiotics ASAP. Thanks!

[Joelle]

2.27 mg/ml of Baytril was prescribed for a 25 gram mouse.

[Marci]

Joelle - I give Buddy .05 ml twice a day of TMS or Baytril for a week. buddy weighs 75 grams so your gerbil should get less of a dosage, perhaps .03 ml.

[Joelle]

Joelle - I give Buddy .05 ml twice a day of TMS or Baytril for a week. buddy weighs 75 grams so your gerbil should get less of a dosage, perhaps .03 ml.

Awesome, thanks so much Marci!