If you provide the correct care, diet, environment, exercise and attention to your gerbil it will normally stay fit and healthy, and will be bright, alert and eating and drinking normally. Younger and older pets are often more susceptible to illness due to lowered resistance. Handling your pet every day gives you the opportunity to examine him for signs that may indicate illness.

Gerbils should be bright and alert. Monitor their food intake to check that they are eating and drinking normally.

Any change in normal behavior may indicate an underlying problem. Watch out for:

• eating or drinking more or less than normal
• restless or lethargic or a crouched, huddled appearance
• coat that looks dull, is soiled or itchy, and check for cuts and lumps
• discharge from the eyes, ears or nose
• soiling around the vent with urine or feces
• feces abnormal in color or texture
• more or less urine being produced or unusual in color
• offensive odor from the ears, mouth or vent
• loud teeth grinding/chattering
• difficulty in eating, drinking or moving
• difficulty in breathing or raspy noises from the chest

Common illnesses
Gerbils do not often get ill but, because of their size, if they do get sick they can deteriorate very quickly. If your gerbil looks ill, take him to the vet immediately.

Dental problems as all rodents, gerbils teeth continue to grow throughout their life. Should your gerbil be injured and a tooth become misaligned, the opposite tooth will grow as it has nothing opposing it on which to grind. Gerbils require fiber in their diet and need to gnaw on suitalbe toys to ensure the teeth are evenly worn and to prevent overgrowth. Overgrown teeth can cause a number of problems including abscesses, inability to eat and, in extreme cases, can grow back into the gerbils face.

If the teeth do become over grown you will need to visit the vet. They will be able to trim the teeth back for you. Do not attempt o do this your self! although trimming the teeth is not painful for the gerbil, it can be frightening and they will wriggle a lot! It is very easy to break or split the tooth and this can lead to much more serious health concerns. Indication of dental problems may be saliva around the mouth or on the chest or front paws, an inability to eat or teeth grinding. Seek veterinary advice if you are at all concerned.

Diarrhea
Overfeeding with green food is the most common cause of diarrhea. You should stop feeding green food immediately if your gerbil has diarrhea and allow it only to eat its gerbil mix. Take your gerbil to the vet immediately as loss of fluid through diarrhea can be life threatening.

Colds
Gerbils can catch colds from humans so, if you have a cold, you should keep the handling of your gerbil and its food to the minimum. Your gerbil will have a runny nose and sneeze if he has a cold and should be kept in a warm room. Isolate the affected gerbil from the rest of the group as colds can spread through colonies. Take him to the vet if the condition has not cleared in two to three days, or if you have any concerns at all.

Tyzzers Disease
Tyzzers Disease is a very serious liver condition and your gerbil will have diarrhea, look tired and weak and will lose appetite. Take your gerbil to the vet immediately if your gerbil has these symptoms, as this disease is often fatal.

Good hygiene in the gerbilarium and using good quality bedding and burrowing material will help prevent this disease.