floss
Foraging Degu
Posts: 86
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Post by floss on Apr 20, 2014 19:21:26 GMT
Hello everyone, I have been the proud owner of two Degus for the last day! We bought the two Degus (told they are male) from Pets@home. We are told they are 10 weeks old and in the shop I noticed one had quite a wet chest and was wet around the mouth. When I mentioned this they assistant said she thought it was from the water bottle. However the Degu still appears to be wet on the sides of his mouth, each side (his fur all between his mouth and eye) he keeps scratching it and rolling on the shelf in appearance to scratch it also. The Degu is not yet tame enough to pick up and investigate - he bite the shop assistant numerous times as he was frightened when they were picking him up. My husband thinks he may be scratching it on the water bottle for some reason but we have yet to see him do this! Could it be a tooth problem possibly? I'm thinking of taking him to the vets Tuesday when they open up again. I am completely new to Degu keeping and been reading about them all day and want him to be happy and healthy. Any advice or thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
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Post by animalmadchloe on Apr 20, 2014 22:05:52 GMT
I would say go to the vets it could likely be a tooth problem if it is you wouldn't want to leave it any longer and you should take the bill back to pets at home and demand the money back!
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floss
Foraging Degu
Posts: 86
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Post by floss on Apr 20, 2014 22:17:08 GMT
Thank you, didn't want to stress the little man out if I didn't have to but will have to if there is something wrong. The assistant did say they would refund any bill if it had to go to the vet.
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Post by Anne.M.Kenyon on Apr 21, 2014 3:03:46 GMT
Hello everyone, I have been the proud owner of two Degus for the last day! We bought the two Degus (told they are male) from Pets@home. We are told they are 10 weeks old and in the shop I noticed one had quite a wet chest and was wet around the mouth. 1)When I mentioned this they assistant said she thought it was from the water bottle. 2)However the Degu still appears to be wet on the sides of his mouth, each side (his fur all between his mouth and eye) he keeps scratching it and rolling on the shelf in appearance to scratch it also. 3)The Degu is not yet tame enough to pick up and investigate - he bite the shop assistant numerous times as he was frightened when they were picking him up. My husband thinks he may be scratching it on the water bottle for some reason but we have yet to see him do this! 4) Could it be a tooth problem possibly? 5)I'm thinking of taking him to the vets Tuesday when they open up again. I am completely new to Degu keeping and been reading about them all day and want him to be happy and healthy. Any advice or thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Thank you. 1) I wonder how long they have assumed this for...2) These are not the actions of a 'comfortable' animal. Is it possible the wetness is actually coming down from his eye? I am wondering if he has got a foreign body embedded in his eye. Or, if not from his eye, then possibly a sharp splinter of wood from a gnawing block embedded in his cheek/gum/tongue.3) Did the other Degu bite as much? If not, then again this is indicative of an animal in pain, and not just a case of being un-used to handling.4) It could be a dental problem, but at such a young age it is somewhat on the unusual side for a dental problem to be so advanced that is is causing such apparent distress. However, the assistant may have been guessing his age, or purposely hiding his true age in order to ensure a sale.5) I would most definitely take him and get him checked out. Ask the vet to print out any findings and all costs incurred and any potential future costs regarding this particular investigation and/or treatment. You will need this when you present PAH with a bill.When you take him, be sure to take his bonded friend along also. It will be a source of comfort. Also, bonds can be broken when only one of a bonded pair goes on a vet trip. The reason being is that when the injured/poorly animal returns home, the other animal will be able to smell all the strange smells on him, and this can lead to aggression and rejection. Your vet may want to sedate the little mite slightly in order to be able to examine him properly. Although there is always some element of risk regarding sedation and a small animal, this is usually outweighed by the risk of a traumatic physical exam on a fully alert and aware terrified animal. Your vet should very quickly be able to determine the safest way to proceed. Many vets now use a sedative called Isoflorane now, which has been found to be far safer, and produce far less side effects than previous sedatives. For a tiny creature such as a Degu, it is usually administered through a little nose cone, so you shouldn't have to worry about the little one having a needle stuck in his leg, should the need for sedation prove positive.
I hope all turns out well, bless him!
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Post by anita on Apr 21, 2014 8:50:42 GMT
just another example of why I will not shop at p@h fancy leaving the little one in obvious discomfort the shop assistant deserved to be bitten just for that, if they have said they are happy to pay the vet bills why didn't they get him checked out before selling him? It does sound like a dental issue like amc said but is strange if he is so young unless it is a congenital defect. good luck and let us know what the vet thinks.
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Post by animalmadchloe on Apr 21, 2014 9:05:21 GMT
How does me look when he's eating hard foods?? Does he look like he is struggling ? Is he dropping a lot out of his mouth ? I think a trip to the vets is the safest option Sbd I agree with taking both to the vets it's will be less stressful for them to stay together
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Post by animalmadchloe on Apr 21, 2014 9:06:55 GMT
And I would even write letter of complaint of animal cruelty if it does turn out to be teeth issues
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floss
Foraging Degu
Posts: 86
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Post by floss on Apr 21, 2014 9:13:26 GMT
Hi anita, thanks for your reply, what is amc? I am new to this so don't know any abbreviations. I was thinking a possible "born with it problem" which doesn't sound good but fingers crossed it's not, I presume this is just chance or caused through inter-breeding. If so are they treatable with long term care?. I don't think they have had much attention in the shop - hence not wanting to be handled. I think the lady in the shop at first genuinely thought it was from the bottle as the little man had ran and hid when I asked her about it but when she was moving him to his carry home I think she realised what I meant.
Hi Anne.M.Kenyon, thanks for your reply. I don't think they had noticed it until I mentioned it. The eyes themselves look alert and not weepy, pretty sure is excess saliva...possibly water. But the area does temporally dry up and then get wet again but most of the time it is "wet". I am so new to this I thought it may possibly be "normal" but I soon established it wasn't. The other Degu didn't bite but let out the same "scream" when picked up however he was picked up by a different staff member who seemed a lot more experienced. I'm not bothered about their ages but I understand what your saying....I think it was maybe an estimate from them as they said they "think...there about..10 weeks" They do seem rather small compared to other Degus I've seen.
I will try post a picture as my profile picture so you can see better what I'm describing but it looks like Wilfred will be going to the vet! Thanks for the advise about taking his friend, I was sat thinking about that! I will certainly mention to the vet your suggestion of a splinter in his gum.
I'm thinking of ringing our local vets first and asking if they treat Degus. Have most vets experience with Degus? or do I need call round first?
Thanks all very much
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floss
Foraging Degu
Posts: 86
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Post by floss on Apr 21, 2014 9:19:28 GMT
He seems to be eating his nuggets ok, he is also a tad bigger than his friend so seems to be getting enough calories in. He does have a completely different character tho, he is so much more timid. His friend runs over to day hello, takes a nugget out of my hand and has a run around the room if I open the cage door. He seems "ok" in himself, plays on his toys and etc but is much more frightful of me/anything. However It is early days and he did go though an ordeal in the shop
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floss
Foraging Degu
Posts: 86
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Post by floss on Apr 21, 2014 9:33:32 GMT
Sorry it's not very clear but my profile picture is Wilfred and what I'm trying to describe, this is on both sides
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Post by animalmadchloe on Apr 21, 2014 11:35:17 GMT
Hi anita, thanks for your reply, what is amc? I am new to this so don't know any abbreviations. I was thinking a possible "born with it problem" which doesn't sound good but fingers crossed it's not, I presume this is just chance or caused through inter-breeding. If so are they treatable with long term care?. I don't think they have had much attention in the shop - hence not wanting to be handled. I think the lady in the shop at first genuinely thought it was from the bottle as the little man had ran and hid when I asked her about it but when she was moving him to his carry home I think she realised what I meant. Hi Anne.M.Kenyon, thanks for your reply. I don't think they had noticed it until I mentioned it. The eyes themselves look alert and not weepy, pretty sure is excess saliva...possibly water. But the area does temporally dry up and then get wet again but most of the time it is "wet". I am so new to this I thought it may possibly be "normal" but I soon established it wasn't. The other Degu didn't bite but let out the same "scream" when picked up however he was picked up by a different staff member who seemed a lot more experienced. I'm not bothered about their ages but I understand what your saying....I think it was maybe an estimate from them as they said they "think...there about..10 weeks" They do seem rather small compared to other Degus I've seen. I will try post a picture as my profile picture so you can see better what I'm describing but it looks like Wilfred will be going to the vet! Thanks for the advise about taking his friend, I was sat thinking about that! I will certainly mention to the vet your suggestion of a splinter in his gum. I'm thinking of ringing our local vets first and asking if they treat Degus. Have most vets experience with Degus? or do I need call round first? Thanks all very much Amc stands for animal mad Chloe which is meeeeee
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Post by animalmadchloe on Apr 21, 2014 11:38:45 GMT
He seems to be eating his nuggets ok, he is also a tad bigger than his friend so seems to be getting enough calories in. He does have a completely different character tho, he is so much more timid. His friend runs over to day hello, takes a nugget out of my hand and has a run around the room if I open the cage door. He seems "ok" in himself, plays on his toys and etc but is much more frightful of me/anything. However It is early days and he did go though an ordeal in the shop Getting him on a much better diet will help if he's on pets at home nuggets there not all that great and contain mollasis which is sugar which degus can't have, plenty of hay fresh and dried herbs it might be worth looking into making up your own feed Zooplus do a lot of much better degu foods and seed mixes try having a look through the diet and nutrition thread there should be lots of helpful advice on better foods for degus in there, also fresh dandilion leaves and flowers are good and grass twigs from certain trees but shells and whole nuts but not very often plenty of wood to few on there is a lot you can do to slow down the growth of teeth I myself and having an issue with one of my boys who is from pets at home who is having to go and have his molars trimmed every few months but now after a year it is starting to slow down
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Post by Anne.M.Kenyon on Apr 21, 2014 12:09:51 GMT
Hi again Floss First off, I have to say thank Heavens that this little guy has found himself in hands that truly do care about his well being. After 20 years of rescue, I have seen things that have just left me frozen to the bone with dismay and despair. It's posts like yours, and the good and helpful responses that help prevent me losing all faith in human beings.
AMC has given you some great advice there, especially regarding the inportance of diet.
I think it is a great idea, and very wise to phone up your local vets and ask if they have a rodent/caviomorph savvy vet. I have found them to be pretty honest and open regarding experience with specific animals, and if they are not best experienced, they will often recommend a vet who is
When you take them, ask the vet to weigh both of the degus and record their weights on the records. Make a note of this yourself aswell, as it is a very handy piece of information should ether animal seem 'off-colour' in the future. You will know simply by comparing weights if weight loss is an issue. Weight records are a very handy tool also for your vet
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floss
Foraging Degu
Posts: 86
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Post by floss on Apr 21, 2014 19:13:12 GMT
Hi Thanks everyone for your replies, I am surprised about the molasses as it doesn't say that on the ingredients (I checked them in the shop!) However I appreciate they may not be the best and I will certainly be looking to get them the best nutrition.
I've been to a PAH today - we are betwixt two and the one we bought the Degus from doesn't have a "vets" inside, the other does. With it being bank holiday we visited the one that does have the vets inside as it was open and tried to see if Wilfred could see a vet today as he has been rather "wet" (didn't have Wilfred with me!) but the earliest we could get him in in tomorrow morning. My husband will be taking him and I will let you know how it goes. I had my doubts about going to a PAH vets after others opinions about PAH in general, however they were really friendly and helpful and reassured the vet was Degu experienced, they also said they would bill the other branch directly, although that wasn't my concern. I also made it quite clear i wouldn't have him "swapped"....I don't know if they would even try doing that but it went through my mind! Wilfred has a forever home, he is lucky, but i am also lucky to have him!
I have noted down all your tips and will keep referring back to them and use the info on this forum, thanks very much
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Post by animalmadchloe on Apr 22, 2014 9:14:22 GMT
In the future it might wise to look for a more sutiable vets, companion care run by pets at home arnt very good coming from my own personal experience and they are more expensive than normal vets and have very little knowledge about degus (the one I used in Portsmouth didn't) and I had a very poor service from them when I first got my boys, you might be better to ring about looking for a place they specialises in exotics but I can understand for the moment you are trying to do right by the little one and get him seen ASAP which is great, where about a do you live someone may be able to recommend a local vets
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Post by anita on Apr 22, 2014 17:09:48 GMT
Hi floss how did Wilfred get on at the vets?
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floss
Foraging Degu
Posts: 86
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Post by floss on Apr 22, 2014 20:42:31 GMT
Hello everyone, Yes Wilfred went to the vets and I must say I'm a little frustrated and disappointed. My husband had to take him. The vet looked at him and said she thinks it may be his gums as they were red and inflamed - she said possibly an ulcer. She didn't look at the back teeth/sedate him / look for a splinter etc as didn't want to "stress him out" and prescribed Meloxidyl 1.5 mg/ml at a dose of 0.15ml each morning.
I do feel it is treating the symptom rather than the problem as Meloxidyl looks to be just a pain killer/anti inflammatory only. She explained to visit at the weekend if he is no better, he is still drooling like mad tonight, I feel this trip will certainly take place and the second trip plus the administration of the drugs each morning will be more stressful than just examining him properly in the first place.
I will be taking him myself at the weekend and I will ask if she has done work on Degu teeth before/ experience with Degus
I live in Holmfirth if anyone can recommend a vets??? Barnsley area and Huddersfield area are both acceptable distances to travel I think with the Degus I did call my local vets and they explained they didn't treat Degus and the closest one they can recommend is in Harrogate! (far too far)
Can anyone recommend anywhere for the future?
Thank you
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Post by anita on Apr 22, 2014 20:56:25 GMT
You are right it is another name for metacam it will make him more comfortable but can do damage to internal organs if used for a long time so you still need to find out what the is causing the inflammation. I hope someone can help with a good vet near you and look forward how the poor little man gets on.
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floss
Foraging Degu
Posts: 86
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Post by floss on Apr 22, 2014 21:06:33 GMT
I've done a little search on here. Someone on this board recommended this vets in Leeds www.hollyhousevets.co.uk/about-us/meet-our-staff in 2009! Due to the vet being experienced / owning Degus herself.The vet still appears to still be there, it's the closest one so far I can find but is at least a 45 min drive for them
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Post by animalmadchloe on Apr 22, 2014 21:55:48 GMT
As long as you have a decent size carry cage with lots of ventilation and able to attach water I don't see a problem you can put plenty of hidey things in there and even half cover over the cage if rather travel for a decent vet than get mugged off by people who don't know what there on about they SHOULD have checked his molars first of all!! Lazy lazy people companion care are ****!!
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