Accepted Answer

Hi, and congratulations on your new furry addition!

Gerbils are prone to develop fur loss on the nose, and sore noses, mainly from rubbing/chewing on the bars of their wire cages, and sometimes, also from allergies to the wood dust from their bedding. I'm glad you have her in a glass aquarium, and are using paper bedding, as the pet store recommended. I'm curious if she was in a wire cage with wood shavings in the pet store; if so, this could have begun the problem. Usually, a vet will prescribe an antibiotic ointment to help the sore heal, so it would be a good idea to have her evaluated in person by a vet experienced in treating gerbils, for diagnosis and treatment.

It's also possible, as you suggested, that she is trying to nibble and/or rub on her wooden house, and this might be the cause of her sore not healing and getting bigger, or she also may be rubbing it accidentally on her large mineral chew.

Since you're a new gerbil owner, the following tips will be helpful:

http://exoticpets.about.com/od/gerbils/a/gerbiltoys.htm

http://www.smallangelsrescue.org/doc/small_angels_rescue_gerbil_care_sheet.pdf

If you do need to apply ointment to your gerbil's nose, this could be difficult if you don't have someone to help, so you might have to gently 'scruff' your gerbil (grab by the scruff of the neck) to keep her head still, and then apply the ointment. For the moment, watch her activities and see if you notice her rubbing on anything in her habitat. Also, you can apply a thin film of regular Neosporin (not the one that says 'with pain relief') with a Q-tip, to her sore nose, and don't worry if she licks it off, as it will not be harmful.

I hope all will be well with your furry girl!

Cher

Expert:	Jessesmom
Pos. Feedback:	100.0 %
Accepts:
Answered:	10/25/2009

Pet Caregiver 40+ yrs

Pet Caregiver over 40 yrs. Specialist in pet behavior and health concerns.