Important Information About Gerbils and Tyzzer's Disease

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.