Gerbil questions

[misskaratekid]

Hya every1
im writing on the off chance that you may be able to help me. My big brother just brought two gerbils, one male and one female. He has had them for a few monthsnow with no problems. However these past few days he has noticed that the male gerbil has "blown up", stays down on all 4s, keeps falling asleep and has a red discharge coming out of one of his eyes. i believe that he is eating and drinking fine and there is no scraches on his face to suggest where the red discharge may have come from other that his eye. This is very strange! he has washed the eye with salt water and is going to change the bedding tomorrow. Is there any thing else he can do? and have you hear of this before?

[Suki Wingy]

I don't know, but I do know that you should take him to a vet. If you can't afford that most Petsmarts have a cheaper Banfield vet place in them.

[buttercup132]

Washing his EYE out with salt water...uhh not the best idea seeing as salt dried things up dosent it? I dont know what to say other then go to the vet. And unless you want to add to the population of unwanted animals then seperate them so theres no babies.

[CathyBogart]

If it was just the eye I would recommend Terramycin, a non-prescription ointment that does wonders for irritated eyes on small fuzzies. But since it's more than that, I recomment a trip to the vet.