How the months pass so quickly since I last posted!

It’s recently been brought to our attention that there are some health issues in the lines from Poland. After having repeatedly requested any sort of history of the gerbils brought from the continent, in all honestly it comes as little surprise that something else beyond the paralysis and epilepsy in the lines has popped up.

From what we can gather it’s been known for a while now that some gerbils are suffering from spots around the eyes, this is in all lines and not contained to only wavy lines.

I will not rant about husbandry or morals when knowing there are health issues but instead try to stick to experience and try to properly document what’s happening here.

Soon after being told about these eye spots, I discovered that two of mine were losing hair on their upper eyelid and it was looking a bit angry and sore. One – Jenny, began to swell somewhat and after around two or three weeks little spots appeared.

A trip to the vet was in store, along with the rest that were also showing symptoms. And a shot of antibiotics given to Jenny as she was the only one obviously suffering – the other just looked a little red but has not yet swollen up or got any worse if anything I’d say she looks better now without any intervention!

The antibiotic lasted a week and Jenny’s eyes definitely had an improvement and they no longer looked an angry red. However there was a spot still left, so another shot was given; this time supposedly lasting 2 weeks and we’re hopeful that the spot will have completely gone after the two weeks.

After speaking to the vet, we now believe that it’s possible the spots will go anyway, especially since they are reacting to the antibiotics. And we can only assume that it’s perhaps in some ways similar to a stye in humans.

Here’s the only photo I’ve managed clearly showing spots:

And this one shows the swelling and how the eye must at least be tender for her

I need to get some updated photos which show the eyes are now more of a natural light pink colour.

Also, the waved lines have now been split from my normal lines in an attempt to minimise any risk of contamination. I am very strict in my use of alcohol handwash between tanks, so know risks were already low but it’s easy for things like this to spread.