Stopping and freezing now and again. Ears may flick, but it goes limp for 1-5 minutes, or otherwise just lies there. It seems to do this when I try to pick it up or there's something strange going on or...

*This is a version of the fight-or-flight mechanism. Some gerbils have a problem with too much stimulus, and will do this go limp for a short period. The exciting thing of being picked up or put in a new area (play box romping) or trying to introduce them to another animal will do it. They should come out of it very shortly and go on with what they normally do. Just be careful when they go limp not to drop them, and turn them into a pet-only animal. They can make great pets and companions for other gerbils, but don't breed them as this trait may be passed on to pups. Pair them with a same sex buddy and if you adopt them out make sure it's clear that the animal should be a pet only gerbil.

Starts to tremble and jerk, may pee itself or me, and if I reach in or touch it it may bite me. Otherwise things are similar to above, where I picked it up then this happened.

*This is a seizure, and probably epileptic in nature. A vet may or may not be able to help an animal with this condition. The cage or tank should be kept as a minimal tank to minimize the chance the animal has to hurt itself. It can be kept as a pet and companion to another of the same sex only. If the seizures get more frequent or a really bad episode that leads to more damage, you should consider having the animal put down. Do not breed an animal showing this trait.

Starts to tremble and jerk, perhaps bleeding from nose, eye, mouth. Ends up lying with a staring dead look and limbs in strange positions. Probably peed itself. Lasts about five minutes...but not always.

May also get up and act drunken, staggering, dragging a paw or more, and veer off to one side like it can't keep it's balance (see ear infection and stroke, too)

*Seizure from either an aneurysm bursting, stroke induced, or blunt head trauma from being trapped under something in the cage or tank or was dropped. Worst of the effects will be the first five or so minutes. Leave the animal where it's lying until it stops jerking. Otherwise it may twist or roll out of your hands or be dropped and compound the injuries. An animal can fall four inches (10 cm) onto a soft surface and cause this. Usually there is bleeding in the brain area, and this may come out through the sinus passages or along the eyes.

Once the animal has stopped jerking, gently pick it up and place it into it's cage. Remove all things it could climb on or get trapped under (wheel, house, nestbox, toys, food bowl, etc) and sling the waterbottle very low next to the nest so it can reach it easily.

If this is head trauma or other bleeding in the brain, it may worsen in the next hour or two. IF there is a companion, leave the companion in unless the companion is furiously digging under the one that needs rest, or bothering it, or chewing at it.

The animal needs quiet and peace. Block off the back and sides and part of the front (one side wherever the nest is) with cardboard outside the cage or tank. Some put a towel over one end of the tank like it was a nursery tank. Just make sure the animal(s) inside can't get at the fibers of the towel or chew at it. Check it after the first few hours to make sure it is getting enough to drink, offer a few shelled sunseeds or a peanut or raisin to tempt it to eat. Do rehydration therapy if needed.

The animal may need days or weeks to recover, and may have a permanent head tilt to one side. It will adapt to the tilt and be fine.

Is rolling over and over like a skewer has been inserted through the mouth and out the rear.

*This is usually serious blunt head trauma and there may be bleeding from eyes, nose, mouth. There will be much cranial bleeding, swelling, and pressure. The prognosis is very poor if you see this happen; the odds are against the animal surviving more than hours. Do as above for care, and you will probably have to rig a warm corner for the animal, change the nest frequently as it will urinate and defecate in the nest, and hand feed it with an eyedropper to keep it hydrated (probably every few hours DAY and NIGHT for days). IF you are willing to commit to giving the animal 72 hours after this it will either show improvement or it will be obvious it needs to be put down or it will pass on, in the first three days post injury. Some do recover enough to lead a productive gerbil life, with a fair quality of life. There may be additional problems with deafness, blindness, or limb dragging or numbness in extremities. If so the animal will gnaw at the dead part (tail or rear paw or leg) and will have to be taken into the vet for amputation.

If you have an injury this serious taking it to a gerbil savvy vet for an injection of an anti-inflammatory might help, but that needs to be done as soon as possible after the injury.