Gerbil - Swollen Bottom

Question
Hi, Until this week, we had 2 gerbils, 1 sadly passed away on Thursday. I have noticed that the remaining gerbil has a swollen bottom, she seems OK and is eating and drinking as usual. The one that died also seemed fine until the night before when she wouldn't take a pumpkin seed from me. Do you have any idea what could be wrong and if it could be linked to the other gerbil dying? Thanks, Jo  

Answer
Hello, as far as having a swolen bottom it's really hard to determine what he might have. I can't give you a positive I.D. on what I think it might be. It could be a tumor or a large bump and I would take your gerbil to the vet to get checked out. That's my best advice. It could be linked to the other gerbil. Are you sure the gerbil is a female because male gerbils have swolen bottoms because of their testicles and some pet stores get males instead of females. I think the vet is the best place to get the true advice that you need. When it comes to have swolen bottoms on gerbils I am still trying to find research as to what could be the cause of that, but the vet is the best place to take your gerbil.