Sick Gerbils

Question
Jana,
My son's gerbils are sick.  They have extreme lethargy, swollen shut eyes, wobbly back end, drawn in sides, and large brown scat.  Illness came on suddenly for both - one just died.  What is it and what can I do?  Thanks!!

Answer
Gosh Walt,
That is terrible! I don't know what would cause something like this so suddenly unless they are both dying of old age or they got into something or had new litter that was toxic.
Gerbils are really hardy animals and the little things that bother hamsters and rats don't seem to faze them at all.
They could have gotten a respiratory illness but there again, they are not usually so sudden nor do they come out of thin air. Most illnesses of that nature are brought in from other animals although we carry some of these things on our clothes that are airborne.
Unless you want to rush the other one to the vet I really can't give you any more help than that.
I am sorry for your son's loss- I know how hard that can be.