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Post by yasmas on Jan 19, 2014 12:23:51 GMT
Hi One of my degus are not feeling well. He sometimes makes this sneezing sound and by comparing him to his friend, his breathing is alot more aggressive looking. Like he is really gasping for air sometimes. He is about 4 years old. The symptoms started about 2 weeks ago. I've read about allergies and such but i've been using the same materials in the cage since i got them. So i don't think its that. I've also read about respiratory infections. And that dust from hay and bedding can cause it. i think it might be that but i'm not sure. I've made a video to showcase the symptoms. I hope you might be able to help me diagnose him. He isn't like this all the time, but 1-5 times everyday. youtu.be/C4V_TKSveZoMaybe it's time to change the bedding seeing as they get older and less resilient to some bedding? i don't know. Any help is appreciated /yasmas
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Post by ntg on Jan 19, 2014 12:54:09 GMT
Without looking at the video (I'm not in a position to do so at the moment) and going off your description, you need to get him to the vet as soon as you possibly can. Respiratory infections are a strong possibility, which are difficult to shake off and almost impossible without medical attention. If he's gasping for air through his mouth then it can also be a sign of something blocking his nasal passage - this could be anything from the teeth overgrowing at the roots to a small piece of bedding/food getting sniffed up and stuck. Mouth breathing can also cause a secondary issue of bloating which can be fatal.
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Post by yasmas on Jan 19, 2014 17:32:13 GMT
Hi ntg, I've decided to call the vet tomorrow and ask for their opinion. There is only 1 vet in my area unfortunately, so i hope they can diagnose and make him all better.
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Post by deguconvert on Jan 19, 2014 17:53:50 GMT
Hey Yasmin . . . I think seeing your vet is the right thing to do. I hope it goes well for you and the goo tomorrow.
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Post by animalmadchloe on Jan 19, 2014 18:40:28 GMT
Good luck for tomorrow keeps us posted xx
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Post by anita on Jan 19, 2014 19:19:07 GMT
Hi Yasmas you are doing the right thing but be warned my Gerald was on constant antibiotics (Septrim seemed to work the best) for over 3 years they thought he had a viral infection which antibiotics dont clear but they did stop secondary infection which would start within a few days when we tried to stop, also I would recommend you ask for some metacam for cats which saved his life more than once when his breathing got really bad. My vet did tell me he had seen the same sort of issues with rats who had to spend the rest of their lives on antibiotics. Good Luck I hope it turns out to be something that can be cleared up easily.
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Post by yasmas on Jan 19, 2014 20:25:44 GMT
Thank you guys, i will keep you updated when i have some news.
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Post by nutz88 on Jan 19, 2014 21:26:05 GMT
Hey, Sorry to hear you're degu is unwell,now i'm not trying to scare you, but i recently lost a degu of the same age to the exact same symptoms. This was mostly my fault, as i failed to recognize the symptoms quick enough. As has been said already the vet is the only option. Should the vet recommend anti-biotics, I would advise asking for Baytril oral solution, its a decent broad spectrum anti biotic. Or any mentioned above. If You've managed to catch it early you've a great chance of fighting the infection!
Best of luck and I hope it goes well for you
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Post by rmazeds on Jan 20, 2014 18:39:31 GMT
Hope the vets give you some antibiotics and you start seeing a change, the poor baby Let us know what they say!
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Post by yasmas on Jan 22, 2014 13:42:35 GMT
So i just got home from the vet, and they gave me some baytril oral solution. One thing i forgot to ask them was if it is contagious. If you know, let me know. I've had them both in the main cage since i noticed the symtpoms, and his friend seems to have no issues. I updated my avatar with my boys. Thanks for all your help.
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Post by ntg on Jan 22, 2014 14:09:03 GMT
The chance is - with a bacterial infection - rather than it being an aggressive foreign bacteria causing the illness, that it's just a normal type of bacteria that's started to outcompete the others within the body for whatever reason. It's fine in a balanced system, but when things get out of whack/find it's way into a new part of the body it can then become pathogenic. So, in other words, both degus are likely to have the bacteria, but it'll be in healthy levels and in the right places with your healthy degu, but not with the other. Fingers crossed the baytril does the trick! And I love your new avatar
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Post by yasmas on Jan 22, 2014 16:02:48 GMT
Good to know, thanks ntg
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Post by nutz88 on Jan 22, 2014 17:51:31 GMT
Good to hear, hope it clears up! Just keep an eye on the other degu for symptoms, but i think they'd be fine in the same cage. I wonder if any of the more experienced keepers might be able to recommend a supplement to give during the course of antibiotics, you know like humans taking pro biotic drinks and that? helping to prevent reinfection?
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Post by karengoo on Jan 22, 2014 20:36:08 GMT
I bought my boys fae pets at home and one had respitory issues the day after I bought them home, I tried diff bedding but nothing worked so I ended up taking them both aff shavings and straw and only hvn them on dust extracted hay now, so far it seems tae have worked
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Post by yasmas on Jan 29, 2014 9:49:53 GMT
It's been 7 days now since he started on baytril, and i think it is helping but its going slowly. The vet said to give him the baytril for 10 days. Do you guys know how long the infection usually takes to recede?
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Post by ntg on Jan 29, 2014 10:21:15 GMT
It's good to hear he's improving Have you got a follow up appointment with the vet? Resp infections can be difficult, and might take more than one course of antibiotics to get rid of, and if it isn't gone completely then it will start up again, with the added risk of resistance building up to the baytril.
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Post by karengoo on Jan 29, 2014 11:44:59 GMT
Harley had probs and they kept coming back. he wis on baytril, he wis too and fro tae the vets. darcys got respitory issues but I took him aff shavings and straw tae iliminate dust spores
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Post by yasmas on Jan 29, 2014 17:11:39 GMT
Nope, no follow up with the vet, but they did give me plently of baytril, just in case i should spill some. So i should have for atleast 5 more days after the 10th day.
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Post by yasmas on Jan 29, 2014 17:15:50 GMT
Also, should he be allowed to use the dust bath?
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Post by karengoo on Jan 29, 2014 18:59:58 GMT
mine use thiers but no very often, I think ye can get diff grains of sands fir their sand baths baths
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