Angelina the Gerbilina :(

Question
Hi!  My almost-12-year-old daughter's gerbil Angelina (Angie for short) is not looking well.  I'm not sure if she's 2 or 3 years old (my husband and I gave it to Jenna for her birthday that year). I know that gerbils live an average of 3 years, but Angie didn't seem to have any problems until the past week or so.  At first I thought she got sick from giving her a couple of pieces of plain puffed rice yesterday ago, but then I thought about the last week or two and Angie didn't seem her usually peppy self.  While Angie is still eating and drinking, she is hunched in a corner breathing heavily.

If we take her to a vet tomorrow in Boston (Angell Memorial is one of the best animal hospitals around), is there any hope that she could be treated and live for a while longer?  I don't want Angie to suffer if there's nothing we can do for her.  I also don't want all three of my kids to have to see her suffer either.

Angie will be the third and final animal in our home to die/be put to "sleep" since December.  The first was our cat Avi who became sick and had to be put to sleep just before Christmas.  The second was our guppy who did not survive living in a filtered tank my husband bought for the one fish.  Losing Angelina now, just before Jenna's 12th birthday, is an upsetting thought for Jenna and me.  Of course, I'm the one who took care of Angelina more often, as is true with all of our pets.

While I will prepare for the worst, I'd like to know if there is any realistic hope for Angie when we get her looked at tomorrow.  

Thanks for your attention to this matter.

Robin

Answer
I am so sorry your cat and guppy died.  I hope the cat didn't die because of the pet food recall. It sounds like it could be old age that is suffering, but since you say she is breathing heavily she could have a respiratory. Since you will be taking your gerbil to a really good vet they could probably give the gerbil antibiotics to cure any ailment or respiratory problems the gerbil may have. There's hope that the vet could treat her and make her live longer. Also, do you use small animal vitamin drops in her water? The vitamin drops can really help an animal stay healthier longer. I think you are doing a wonderful job taking care of the gerbil and I hope for the best and good luck and keep me posted.