Choosing a veterinarian for your gerbil is very important. The health professional will guide you and your rodent throughout his life. Beyond his ability to heal, he will be a first choice advisor. You should not take the first veterinarian to come, but make a selection based on several criteria. We explain how.
Choose a veterinarian based on criteria
- Your location is the first thing to consider. A veterinarian can not be several hours away from your home, especially in an emergency. You must locate veterinarians in a certain area.
- Ask the veterinarians of this famous zone if he is specialized in the care of the NAC and more precisely of the gerbil. The latter requires proper care and a way of handling it .
- Do not hesitate to ask for diplomas or proof of training obtained and passed by your future veterinarian.
- Do not hesitate to listen to what he says around you about the reputation of this or that veterinarian.
- During the first visit, study carefully the behavior of the health professional, his gentleness , his knowledge and his way of inviting you to take care of your pet .
Why a NAC specialist?
In any case, we suggest you go through a NAC veterinarian. Indeed, unlike a general veterinarian, the NAC specialist will have a deeper knowledge of your gerbil. He will know how to handle it carefully. His diagnoses will be more precise since he knows perfectly the anatomy of your rodent. Thus, his treatments will often be more adapted and will not require to be readjusted.
A NAC specialist knows exactly what your gerbil needs . In addition, he will try to involve you in his process of care by showing you the gestures that could save his life.
What is a NAC specialist?
A NAC specialist vet is not on every street corner. Moreover, if you live in the countryside, you will probably have to go to town to find one.
Many veterinarians call themselves NAC specialists simply by following one or two courses. It should be noted that in the long and hard training of general veterinarians, the NAC option has arrived late. It does not help to deepen knowledge and it usually takes several other pieces of training or conferences for a veterinarian to be truly legitimate to treat these animals.
They are more rare, but exist, to have passed and obtained the diploma delivered by the European College of Zoological Medicine. A diploma received after a recognized UNISVET training throughout Europe. This is a real guarantee of seriousness . This status of European veterinarian is very rare in France (only about ten veterinarians), because the course is even longer (between 3 and 4 years).
Since, in the majority of cases, your NAC veterinarian will not have a diploma in his possession, you must ensure that his knowledge is sufficient to let him take care of your pet with confidence. (More on this below)
In summary
The choice of a veterinarian is made according to the geographical area where you live, according to its reputation, word of mouth and the first impression left during your meeting. It is advisable to support the services of a NAC specialist, who has passed several training courses and/or won a European diploma (the only) recognized. Do not take this choice lightly because it is an essential step in the life of your gerbil.
How Veterinarian Should Care For your Gerbils
Very small rodent par excellence, your gerbil must be handled with care and delicacy. It is necessary to know how to examine it so as not to hurt it. Thus, these acts can be done with much control and a good knowledge of your animal, but also and especially by your veterinarian ruptured to the games of these animals.
The choice of the veterinarian (NAC specialist)
Choosing your vet is the basis when you adopt a gerbil. Besides the fact that a veterinarian comes to treat your pet , it is especially an indispensable intermediary in your relationship with your gerbil. Indeed, a veterinarian is unavoidable . Beyond the care provided, he will advise you and show you the actionsthat can save, or are daily useful in your approach to this rodent delicate and fearful enough .
From our side, we advise you to opt for a NAC veterinarian . He is a professional graduate of the European College of Zoological Medicine. Previously, he took a recognized UNISVET training all over the world. It is a pledge of seriousness and quality to rely on a specialized veterinarian.
Attention, we have nothing against the general veterinarians , just as good in their work. Nevertheless, the lack of deepening of some areas in their curriculum, such as NAC, can be synonymous with problemsor at least procrastination . So that a care is the best, your veterinarian will have to combine speed in his diagnosis to efficiency in his treatment .
Preparing for the visit to the veterinarian
Your gerbil must be relaxed and unstressed before visiting your vet. This is also the case at any time of the day. Thus, traveling can be anxious for your pet. It should be reassured , cuddle and prepare a suitable transport bag . It will have to contain all that it has the habit to cross in its cage. Feel free to drop some of its smell.
Common care
Before any care, it is necessary to understand how to handle your gerbil. You must place your index and middle finger on each side of his neck. Your fingers should be under the ears and above the shoulder blades. This is the only proper position to safely handle your pet. Do not squeeze too hard. Afterward, you can lift your gerbil, but not too high for obvious safety reasons. If you need to get a liquid in, flip it gently upside down so you do not panic. These actions should be shown to you by your veterinarian. Ask him.
Otherwise, the basic care are fairly conventional . Your veterinarian (you too) will check his coat . It should never be soiled, but on the contrary be dry, uniform , without the least area depilated . Thereafter, you will take care of his claws which must always be of good length . Make sure your gerbil can dig enough into his cage to carve his own claws.
His teeth are to be watched constantly. Even though cases of malocclusions are rare , they are not impossible. The teeth grow continuously. Finally, you will think to observe the state of his eyes , which must not flow, but also his ears .
Complementary examinations
Your gerbil can live 3 to 4 years in the best case, and in good health. During her life, she will come to see her vet occasionally , if all goes well. Nevertheless, it can happen that an unexpected illness is declared . It can be more or less serious and require special treatment .
Thus, you may need pest control in case fleas, lice or mites come upset his daily life. In the most serious cases, such as the appearance of an abscess or a tumor, further analysis will take place. It is not impossible that your vet will use medical imaging or ultrasound to get a deeper understanding of his pathology. In fact, this can lead to surgery , which is not a trivial gesture. Given the fragility of your rodent, it can cost him his life.
Control visits
The visit of control is not necessary, except the first one, in order to possibly sterilize your gerbil . For the rest, your veterinarian can be consulted only in case of emergency. However, if there is any doubt about the health of your rodent, we advise you to consult. Prevention is better than cure. In addition, your gerbil does not need any vaccine.
The cost
There is the cost of a traditional visit , which changes depending on your veterinarian and the structure that welcomes you. Count between 30 and 50 €. This price may increase in case of special intervention, such as sterilization (130-150 €) or castration (80-100 €). Of course, each treatment requires a surplus of expenditure. Expenses that can explode in case of surgery. This can go up to several hundred euros . In the vast majority of cases, fortunately, your gerbil will not be a money pit.
Our Final Words
Your gerbil is an animal as fragile physically as solid in his health. Routine care must however be provided. You will check his claws, teeth, coat, eyes and ears regularly. Your veterinarian will show you how to handle your rodent so it does not hurt. Your health professional should be trained in these actions. So choose a NAC specialist. Because all generalists do not have sufficient knowledge for gerbils.
Choosing a veterinarian for your gerbil is very important. The health professional will guide you and your rodent throughout his life. Beyond his ability to heal, he will be a first choice advisor. You should not take the first veterinarian come, but make a selection based on several criteria. We explain how.