Hagrid, Neville, Percy, Myrtle, Helena, and Rowena

Several years ago, we took on 7 gerbils who'd initially been collected by Hamster Haven (rescue) to prevent them from becoming raptor food. Sadly, all of the gerbils have since passed away, but they all had eventful lives that warranted their own blog-post.

We fully acknowledge and agree that birds of prey need to hunt and eat, however, they shouldn't be fed pet rodents.

We will divide the post into sections based on each gerbil in chronological order of passing.

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Neville:

Neville was Hagrid's son and Percy's brother. The group of male gerbils were living as a trio and were popular on social media. 
Unfortunately, Neville developed dental disease which caused incisor overgrowth and uneven wearing of his molar teeth. We believe it was secondary to malalignment of his jaw. Fortunately, his molars didn't require intervention, but his incisors required monthly burring.

Neville's teeth before a dental procedure.

As Neville's disease progressed, managing his symptoms meant he required more frequent dentals, and weight-gain (high kcal) foods to maintain his weight.
Sadly, Neville developed root (reserve crown) elongation. Tooth root elongation is an irreversible condition that can cause symptoms such as anorexia, chronic pain (especially when chewing), and can even cause ocular symptoms such as proptosis, epiphora, tearing, and mild exophthalmos. Furthermore, tooth root elongation can be difficult to manage and will inevitably result in hand-feeding soft foods (which contributes to the lack of wearing) and painkillers.
There became a point, as with many rodents and rabbits who suffer from tooth root elongation, that Neville had to be humanely euthanised. He was excessively drooling, anorexic, dehydrated and his pain levels had become unmanageable.

Neville passed away on the 25th of May 2018.

Helena:

Helena was a loving and placid gerbil. Helena arrived living as a quartet with Myrtle (Mum), and Rowena and Pixie (sisters). Eventually, Pixie declanned from the quartet and found a new friend. Helena, Rowena, and Myrtle lived with each other as a trio until Helena sadly passed away.

In later life, Helena had become quite nippy/irritable, stiff, wasn't maintaining her weight, and was demonstrating signs of pain. Urinalysis, auscultations and palpations were all normal. The veterinarian believed Rowena had osteoarthritic changes to her hind limbs and prescribed 1mg:1kg Metacam/Meloxicam (NSAID). Her weight loss was likely due to less efficient food utilisation secondary to osteoarthritis, and the changes in her behaviour were most likely secondary to pain.

Around the time of Helena's passing, 3/7 relative-gerbils were dealing with dental disease. Sadly, Helena was the 4th - suggestive of a hereditary/genetic predisposition to dental disease. She'd developed acute tooth root elongation, despite intensive lifestyle and medicinal management, Helena became emaciated secondary to anorexia. She was also demonstrating both ocular and oral discomfort. By now, the vet believed it was kindest to have Helena humanely euthanised.

Helena passed away on the 17th of November 2018.

Hagrid:

 Hagrid (middle) and his two sons - Neville (underweight gerbil) and Percy.

Hagrid was a devoted and loving Father and truly cherished his sons. They were the strongest and most stable trio of gerbils we've ever had in our care. When Neville passed away (you can see in the image above that he was skinny due to advanced root growth), Hagrid and Percy became the best of friends - they even shared dental appointments.

Percy suffered from a moderate case of dental disease which affected all of his teeth, whereas Hagrid suffered from primary incisor overgrowth which was managed with monthly incisor burring.

During his elderly years, Hagrid suffered from an ischaemic stroke - likely thrombotic. He had developed a head tilt, facial asymmetry, difficulty with coordination, and poor balance. As there was no evidence of an inner-ear infection, the vet decided to trial Hagrid on Prednisolone (corticosteroid) to hopefully alleviate inflammation, which could've improved some of Hagrid's neurological symptoms.

Prednisolone didn't improve Hagrid's symptoms. Nonetheless, Hagrid was happy and able to live a high quality of life with his son.

Hagrid passed away from old age on the 17th of December 2018.

Pixie:

When Pixie reached adulthood, she declanned from her Mum and sisters. Eventually, we found the perfect friend for her - Zizzi.

Pixie passed away from old age on the 20th of April 2019.

Myrtle:

Myrtle was an amazing and attentive Mother - even though her daughters weren't her "babies" anymore.

Myrtle suffered from a few ear infections throughout her life. Initially, Myrtle suffered from an outer ear infection which was treated with a topical Flamazine/Silver Sulfadiazine and normal saline (0.9% NaCl) 1:10 suspension. We also applied topical F10 barrier cream and administered oral 1mg:1kg Metacam/Meloxicam (NSAID).

At a later date, Myrtle developed both an outer and inner ear infection.

Myrtle had developed a minor head-tilt rotating towards the troublesome ear. The head tilt was suggestive of inner-ear damage (vestibular impairment?) and infection - a tumour couldn't be ruled out.

Myrtle was introduced to oral Enrofloxacin/Baytril (fluoroquinolone antimicrobial agent) and oral 1mg:1kg Metacam/Meloxicam (NSAID) BID.
Symptoms of irritation subsided, however, Myrtle had a persistent head tilt. No further action was taken as Myrtle continued to live a high-quality life.

Myrtle's head-tilt appeared to worsen, but there was nothing to suggest an ear infection. The vet believed it was likely Myrtle had suffered an ischaemic stroke but advised against using steroids unless she worsened.

Myrtle passed away from old age on the 24th of May 2019.

Rowena:

Rowena was a strong and resilient gerbil. She battled through numerous health complications throughout her life and even left medical professionals in awe by her sheer strength, and determination to fight. 

Rowena developed a scent gland adenoma: a benign tumour of glandular tissue.

We booked her in to have her scent gland surgically removed. All glandular tissue must be removed to prevent reoccurrence and metastasis. 

The surgery itself went smoothly, but Rowena's recovery was far from plain sailing. Rowena developed a respiratory infection. She was introduced oral Baytril/Enrofloxacin and 0.5mg:1kg Metacam/Meloxicam BID.

Rowena's respiratory symptoms only worsened. She'd developed an audible clicking-sound when respiring, difficulty regulating body temperature, anorexia, and an increased respiratory effort. Rowena was diagnosed with pneumonia, both lungs sounded as though they had inflamed air sacs when auscultated

Rowena was introduced to nebulized Baytril/Enrofloxacin (fluoroquinolone antimicrobial agent), Ronaxan/Doxycycline (tetracycline antimicrobial agent), and Bisolvon/Bromhexine (bronchial mucolytic) suspension with normal isotonic saline (0.9% NaCl). We increased Metacam to 1mg:1kg.

As Rowena was suffering from frequent chills, we administered warmed honey and fluids throughout the day, she also had access to a heat-pad.

We continued with nebulisation therapy for several weeks after Rowena finished her course of antibiotics. It took time for Rowena to make a full recovery but she got there in the end.

For an unknown reason, Rowena lost both her upper incisors several months after recovering from pneumonia. Her lower incisors were managed with somewhat frequent incisor-burring. She was also introduced to a soft food diet alongside her usual diet.

Whilst attending a dental appointment, the vet believed Rowena was suffering from congestive heart failure. Her coat was in poor condition and she had an increased respiratory effort. Fluidy sounds were also heard when auscultated. She was prescribed Frusemide/Furosemide (loop diuretic) to help alleviate symptoms. As you generally see a quick response with diuretics, we could come to a conclusion within a few days. 

Rowena's condition improved which confirmed our vet's suspicions - Rowena had CHF. Rowena would remain on Frusemide for life.

As Rowena's Mum, Myrtle, started to age, we knew Myrtle wasn't going to be around for too much longer. Around this time, Rowena suffered an ischaemic stroke which left her with poor balance, facial asymmetry, and a prominent head-tilt. She was trialled on oral Prednisolone. Unfortunately, her symptoms didn't improve, so she was gradually weaned off corticosteroids. Rowena adapted well to her neurological abnormalities, euthanasia was unnecessary. 

Myrtle sadly passed away on the 24th of May, leaving Rowena without her Mum for the first time. Rowena grieved for a few days.

We decided to bond Rowena to recently bereaved Rita, the pair had chronic disabilities and made a very suitable pair.

Rita had osteoarthritis, and Rowena had neurological deficits as well as CHF and dental disease. They were old girls and lived together harmoniously.

Rita passed away soon after on the 3rd of June 2019 due to old age.

Within a matter of days, Rowena suffered a second stroke and had stopped responding to her diuretic for CHF. Rowena was critically ill and was admitted to the veterinary surgery.

The vet believed it was likely Rowena would only worsen. Given that she had a poor quality of life, we mutually agreed that humane euthanasia was kindest at this point. Sadly, once Rowena had passed away, a significant neoplasm could be palpated within her chest which would've almost definitely have been the cause of her respiratory symptoms. Furthermore, it confirmed we'd made the right decision for Rowena.

Rowena passed away on the 6th of June 2019.

Percy:

Percy was the longest-standing gerbil out of the entire family. He lived a long and happy life and was loved dearly until the very end.

Percy developed dental disease which significantly impacted his incisors, causing them to grow misaligned secondary to a malocclusion. Percy's malocclusion stemmed from malalignment of the mandibular (lower) and the maxillary (upper) jaw - causing his molars to wear unevenly. Luckily, there was never any damage to the mouth because of his molars.

The vet took lateral X-Rays to examine his teeth.

X-Ray highlights the uneven wearing of his molars.

Originally, Percy had his incisors burred every 4-weeks, but there became a point when we had to increase the frequency to every 2-weeks due to the rate his incisors grew.

The images highlight the extremities of dental disease. Nonetheless, Percy adapted to his condition.

Percy's Father, Hagrid, passed away due to old age. Percy was then left alone. We took a risk and decided to try and bond Percy to our previously unbondable George. Unbelievably, the pair of them became inseparable.

Percy suffered a significant haemorrhagic stroke which left him with severe neurological symptoms:

• Head-tilt and facial abnormalities and asymmetry.
• Acquired Ataxia with symptoms including circling, lack of spatial awareness, poor balance, vision changes, inability to perform everyday tasks such as eating.
• Opisthotonos causing spasm of muscles leading to spine-arching, throwing head around, and spasming of neck muscles.,
• Severe distress due to brain trauma and sudden onset of debilitating symptoms

The vet trialled Percy on a subcutaneous Dexamethasone injection to hopefully alleviate symptoms. We would know within a few days if the corticosteroid would provide any relief.

Unfortunately, Percy's condition remained the same. Due to his poor quality of life, we decided it was kindest to have Percy humanely euthanised.

Percy passed away on the 19th of September 2019.