My gerbil is losing hair on his tail?

For about a week and a half now, one of my gerbils has lost a lot of fur on his tail. It is also a little dirty near his butt and smells like pee. He has a tankmate that was always dominant over him, but they are still inseparable. I did a little research and found out that it might be another gerbil trying to assert dominance and that a hamster wheel might distract from these behaviors. I bought them a hamster wheel last night and have seen no change. I know I should probably wait a little longer for it to take affect, but I really just want to make sure that he's okay. The two gerbils are both males and have been together they're whole lives so far. I tried cleaning his tail, but he tried to bite me and he wouldn't stay still. Going to a vet is not an option, my dad thinks it's stupid to take a rodent to a vet. When I was at a pet store, I saw a medicine for rodents that treats wet tail, diarrhea, and change in behavior. I thought this might help, but I didn't get it. Will it? Help!

My gerbil is losing hair on his tail?

That is not normal. Gerbils should always have fur on their tail. Is it possible that the dominant male is pulling the fur off the submissive males tail?

His bottom is dirty? That's not normal either. They should always have clean bottoms.

Is it possible the "dirt" on his butt is mites? Mites could possibly cause hair loss and appear dirty. Try rubbing his bottom with a white tissue. If anything comes off, look at it and look for small specks moving. If they move, it's mites. I'm not sure how you could treat it though.

You could try that medicine, but it may not help. I recommend you at least call the vet and ask for an opinion. They don't charge you anything for advice. Tell them your situation and ask what you should do.

I'm very sorry, but I think it's sad your dad thinks taking rodents to a vet is stupid. They're pets. When you get a pet, it's your responsibility to provide medical care when needed, even if it's a $10 rodent. If my gerbils ever needed medical care, I wouldn't think twice about taking them. Yes, they cost me $10, but their little lives cost much more than any vet visit is.

My gerbil is losing hair on his tail?

first of all take the wheel out of the cage/tank as gerbils have delicate tails and it will make things worse also i dont see why two male gerbils wouldnt get on together as they are very social creatures and live in groups in the wild and also it might be worth getting the medicine because wet tails can indicate poor health and can be life threatening to rodents .....why wont your dad take it too the vets my dad took me the vets when my hamster had wet tail but she didnt prescribe any treatmant (because my hamster is getting old near 2 )and she said she would leave it well alone another thing is that if you have chocolate drops for your gerbils or anything similar stop giving them to them as this can cause diarhhea well it worked with my hamster and just one last thing tell your dad that taking your gerbil to the vet would cost the same as buying a new one about 鎷?0

good luck

My gerbil is losing hair on his tail?

If you have picked it up by its tail before it may have done something to it to make it lose hair and it also is really painful for the gerbil if you do pick it up by its tail