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Treatment

If there is itching and swelling present, antihistaminic and corticosteroid agents can be administered to help relieve the discomfort for your gerbil. Further treatment will ultimately depend on the underlying cause of the condition. If it is attributed to parasites or worm infestation, for example, your veterinarian will prescribe anthelmintic medication.

Conditions that are related to an infection, meanwhile, will require antibiotics, which must always be administered with special care, as antibiotics can be lethal to small animals even when administered appropriately. Additional therapy may include prescribed vitamin and mineral supplements to strengthen your gerbil's immune system and hair coat.

Living and Management

Make sure that you follow all of your veterinarian's advice and recommendations, and pay close attention to instructions that are given regarding antibiotic administration, contacting your veterinarian immediately if your gerbil appears to take a turn for the worse.

If the gerbil is found to be suffering from an infection or parasitic affection, you will also need to discard all of the bedding materials, replacing them with new, freshly laundered bedding materials. In addition, your gerbil's cage, food dishes and any other climbing or exercise equipment will need to be thoroughly cleaned, and toys will need to be discarded if they cannot be sanitized sufficiently.

In some cases, the sole cause of the rough hair coat can be traced back to ambient temperature and humidity levels in the gerbil's living environment. This can be easily rectified. Keeping the cage well-ventilated, at a stable temperature, and at optimum humidity levels below 50 percent can eliminate the rough hair coat and prevent it from developing again.

Prevention

Maintaining optimum environmental conditions for your pet gerbil, as well as treating any disease and disorder that may be affecting your pet gerbil can help to reduce the chances of developing a rough hair coat.