Why is my gerbil making a clicking sound? Is it normal or a tooth issue?

The clicking noises are likely being made by Skipp rubbing his front teeth together. This is known as bruxing. It is a normal behavior and sound in hamsters. Some owners believe it is done when stressed or mad, others see it as a sign of contentment. As long as he is behaving, eating, drinking and eliminating normally, there is likely no cause for concern.

Hello, Many small rodents already naturally carry the bacteria that causes upper respiratory infections, but the bacteria can overgrow when they have another illness that is suppressing their immune system, are under some stress (such as a move), or in unclean conditions with poor diet. It sounds like in your case, it's more likely to be one of the first two reasons. You can read a little more about it here: https://www.petcoach.co/article/mycoplasma-infections-in-mice-and-rats/ I would recommend having Ophelia seen by a vet to start some antibiotics. We generally use a combination of two antibiotics to tackle this difficult bug- most commonly, a combination of enrofloxacin and doxycycline. These can be compounded into a flavored liquid for easier medicating. I hope this helps! Thanks for using PetCoach!

If he will allow, check his teeth for overgrowth or misalignment. Also, look for obvious signs of infection or injury. This may include redness, swelling, bleeding, bruising or discharge. If you see anything suspicious, he will need to be seen by your veterinarian for confirmation and treatment. If his teeth are fine, clean his cage and sanitize bowls, water bottle, toys and hides. Discard anything that cannot be sanitized. Maintain a stable temperature and keep him as stress free as possible. If his symptoms persist, a veterinary exam will be needed.

Your gerbil may be quite sick or possibly injured. Without an exam, it is difficult to determine what the underlying cause may be. If he will allow, gently open his mouth and check his teeth for overgrowth or misalignment. This could affect his appetite which, in turn, could lead to the other symptoms. If his teeth are too long, your veterinarian can trim them. If they appear normal, there may be something else causing his symptoms. Ideally, Zach should be physically examined by your veterinarian to diagnose and treat any infection or injury.

Thanks for reaching out about Snickers. It sounds as if she is painful. A veterinary visit is recommended. Check for appetite, water consumption, urination and defecation. Offer water via a syringe of no urine or drinking detected. Good luck.

Hi again! It is not unusual for two guinea pigs to be a bit agitated by each other at the beginning, while they work out a hierarchy. I would suggest supervising them for now while they are together. If you notice the clicking again, I would separate them and try again another time. Try feeding them together, and offer them treats together so that they can start to associate some positive interactions with each other. I hope this helps, and that your boys start getting along soon!

Hi, and thanks for your question. Often this presentation is compatible with an upper respiratory tract inflammation/infection or possibly to a chronic rhinitis (inflammatory, allergic, infective). A clinical examination at your local veterinarian is essential to confirm these clinical suspicions and treat appropriately. Antibiotics may be needed. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further. If this answer was helpful please let us know, this will be used to improve our service!