My gerbil is dragging a paw

*One, and seemingly the paw is at an angle and being favored, it broke it during being a gerbil in the tank usually. Unless the skin has been broken, a break will heal with time (2-4 weeks). Take everything out of the cage that the animal can climb in or on (the house the wheel the nesting box the food dish) and make sure the bedding is something that the animal can get through easily. Even if the limb remains in a funny position with a bend or kink or lump, the animal should adapt to it and be happy, healthy, and have a good life. If this was an accident after birth, do not consider it a defect for breeding.

Has difficulty walking

*Is dragging one or more rear paws, or both on one side. This is an indication of a stroke or back injury. It's suggested you take the animal to the vet to have it checked for a spinal injury, if it seems that the animal is ignoring the limb(s) rather than favoring them; or gnawing at the limb(s) or tail. If there is no sensation in an extremity a gerbil will often chew at it. A spinal injury is usually both rear paws/limbs affected. If it is a stroke the animal may recover partially or nearly completely. This may take a month or more.

*It may be that the animal broke more than one limb. You will see signs of it favoring the broken limbs then. See above about broken limbs. If the animal has a break in the skin over a break, it needs to go to the vet to have the wound cleaned and antibiotics administered.

Has a paw in a strange angle (like front paws)

*This can be a birth defect, and is called a Fixed Wrist. Sometimes in the womb the animal can be injured and come out with one or both wrists (front paws usually) at a backwards (palm pulled up at about 45 degrees) angle. It fuses that way. The animal usually copes. It'll make a great pet but usually don't breed an animal with this as there are a few congenital conditions that can also cause it.

My gerbil got in a fight and has a bite or lump

*Usually at the base of the tail, around the face and neck, and sometimes on a paw or limb. It may need a vet visit to be cleaned out and a round of antibiotics. Keep a close eye on it for swelling or tenderness for the next 24 hours and if it gets worse, take the animal to the vet. Ornacycline won't help much for this.

Head tilt, paws at ears, shakes head a lot

May have problems walking a straight line, and veers to one side when trying to move. Happens fairly suddenly usually.

*Ear infection. The difference between this and the stroke, is that the animal doesn't show any sort of improvement at all in 24 hours. Usually too, you'll catch the ears being pawed at. This needs a trip to the vet for Baytril, usually a shot then some follow up meds at home. The animal will show a dramatic improvement in 24-48 hours after starting the treatment.

Fluffed out fur, puffy looking, may have reddish discharge at eyes like tear goobers and nasal discharge sort of clumpy like snot.

*Allergy. Usually bedding, can be feed, can be other things. Do the allergy quarrantine for two weeks.

Red blood from nose, not a lot, and not BRIGHT red. Red blood from eyes, again, not a lot.

*mucus discharge from a gerbil looks like blood. True bleeding usually has another symptom with it, that looks a lot like stroke or head trauma (see those elsewhere). It may be an allergic reaction or secondary symptom from an ear infection.