How to Treat Head Tilt in Gerbils

Recognizing the Symptoms of Head Tilt

See if your gerbil is having difficulty walking straight. Gerbils with head tilt will often walk or run in a continuous circle. With the imbalance that causes a head tilt, your gerbil won’t be able to walk or run in a straight line. If you notice your gerbil moving this way, keep an eye on it until you can get it to the vet. Walking in a tilt won't hurt your gerbil, but running into walls or furniture because it's off balance will.

Check your gerbil's head for a tilt to one side or another. If your gerbil’s head is tilted to one side or another, it’s time to take it to the vet. This tilt is a classic sign of the condition, and if you notice it, you should take your gerbil to the vet. Your gerbil's head may tilt to the left or the right, but it won't change sides while it's happening. In other words, if the tilt started on the left side, it will stay there.

Pay attention to your gerbil's balance. Just because your gerbil isn’t walking in circles doesn’t mean it doesn’t have head tilt. If your gerbil seems to be losing its balance in any way – stumbling or falling over – it might still be dealing with the underlying causes of head tilt. These causes include balance issues or an infection. Because the causes can be serious, if you notice a lack of balance in your gerbil, take it to the vet.

Monitor your gerbil’s eating and drinking. Gerbils with head tilt may feel disoriented or nauseated. A disoriented gerbil may find it difficult to move to its food and water, and a nauseated gerbil may feel too sick to eat or drink. If you notice that your gerbil is not eating or drinking, call your vet immediately or go to an emergency vet.

Treating Head Tilt

Take your gerbil to the vet. If left untreated, head tilt can quickly advance to more serious health issues and can be fatal to your gerbil. As soon as you notice head tilt in your gerbil, take it to the vet to get checked out.

Ask your vet for an anti-inflammatory injection. If your gerbil's head tilt is caused by inflammation in the brain (as opposed to an inner ear infection), your gerbil might need anti-inflammatory drugs. Your vet will know exactly what type of medicine will work and how to give it to your gerbil. This type of medicine is not something available over the counter, so make an appointment to have your vet administer it.

Give your gerbil antibiotics. If your gerbil's head tilt is caused by an inner ear infection, antibiotics are the best bet for clearing it up. Make sure you follow the prescription your vet gives you so the infection fully clears up. You will probably need to administer the antibiotic directly into your gerbil’s mouth in a liquid form. How long you'll need to give your gerbil antibiotics will depend on how severe the infection is. Your vet will tell you exactly how long you should give your gerbil its meds - make sure you listen!

Keep your gerbil in a safe space until it recovers. This is especially important if your gerbil has lost its balance, since you don't want it getting hurt. Keep your gerbil in its cage, and line the cage with soft material like old t-shirts. Also clear out anything your gerbil might trip over.