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Post by deguconvert on Sept 20, 2014 5:09:24 GMT
WOW! His foot really looks nasty . . . and I feel like it needs to be lanced, but that is my gut reaction, not a medical opinion. Especially since I am not qualified to give one. I, too, feel the vet is jumping the gun here. The foot is swollen, but it doesn't seem to be discoloured in any way, which would indicate tissue death or constriction that would soon cause tissue death. Is the limb cold? Really hot? Have you tried any form of poultice? Not sure what you could use, but is the a liniment that could help draw out infections?
Anyway, I will be thinking of you lots!
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Post by Karma on Sept 20, 2014 13:18:48 GMT
That foot is the same size as einsteins at one point but our infection was in the skin so it looked absolutely horrible. A broken bone (especially if it's in the foot and not the actual leg or ankle) causes great swelling ..... So I want to think that it is just badly broken and not infected. The problem with a broken foot is that many bones could be broken and it makes it difficult for the animal to heal properly and tends to cause pain long term. Even in people, cats and dogs - for a hand or foot crush injure where every bone is broken they do amputate. And again it's not that great for a degu to be a tripod, especially a back leg but it's an option and not a death sentence. Expensive yes, is there a chance the degu won't learn how to walk, have problems or suffer? Yes but THEN and only then I think should euthanasia be the best option.
I would make getting a pn X-ray a priority to see how the bones are lined up and the chances of it healing properly. Cold water baths would work like an ice pack if you could get him to place his foot in it (or fill up a sink a few inches and get him to sit in there). I would be tempted to also try splinting it to give some support and hopefully help with the pain while it heals (Einstein again left a bandage alone for a whole week at the beginning of his issues because I'm assuming it felt better with it on (it was only when I started treating him with metacam he started chewing at it lol).
Good luck and I
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Post by ilikedegus on Sept 20, 2014 16:22:41 GMT
Certainly don't let the vet put him down just for that!
I have heard of degus who've lost all 4 feet to bumblefoot, they have happy enough lives even though they're walking around on stumps!
"Ethical" my ****!! Cats and dogs and bunnies get around fine on 3 legs, they adapt!
Don't let the vet bully you if Scruffy is happy apart from the foot. If it's a problem infection, a 3-legged degu would do just fine I assure you (not that I have experience personally).
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Post by uglibug on Sept 20, 2014 16:43:45 GMT
Been talking to hubby last night and he regaled me with the tale of his 3 legged little girl. Apparently she lost a back leg from the knee (centre joint) because of a crush injury. She took a while to get used to the balance (she used to fall over for a while when she tried to sit up) and needed ramps etc to get about the cage but she managed well and lived for 3 - 4 years after the op, despite ending up bottom goo (she couldn't stand and box, bless her), so rest assured losing a limb is not the end of the world.
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Post by animalmadchloe on Sept 20, 2014 19:44:30 GMT
Been talking to hubby last night and he regaled me with the tale of his 3 legged little girl. Apparently she lost a back leg from the knee (centre joint) because of a crush injury. She took a while to get used to the balance (she used to fall over for a while when she tried to sit up) and needed ramps etc to get about the cage but she managed well and lived for 3 - 4 years after the op, despite ending up bottom goo (she couldn't stand and box, bless her), so rest assured losing a limb is not the end of the world. Have you tried bathing foot with green tea bags I use these when the boys have a nasty scrape ( If I have them at home) and my nan who is a bit witchy swears by warm green tea bags for dabbing on infected and swollen things |
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Post by rmazeds on Sept 20, 2014 22:40:50 GMT
definitely stand your ground. its not unethical to amputate, it gives them a chance to live. see what the Xray says and then go from there, if you're not happy with them maybe ring around some other places to see how knowledgeable they are about Degus, just because theyre an exotics vet doesnt mean they know about them unfortunately. My vets are lovely but im not convinced they know anything about Degus really.
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Post by anita on Sept 22, 2014 7:36:11 GMT
How is Scruffy doing ...I would also look around for another vet talking about putting him down so quickly before working through a treatment plan would make me run a mile!
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Post by melissage on Sept 22, 2014 13:54:08 GMT
So, I just took Scruffy to vets and we both agree the foot no longer looks swollen, just a specific part of the leg. I managed to haggle and didn't pay for the consultation today, will just pay for the X-Ray which is on Friday. We discussed it and she said that she meant if the entire leg/foot was shattered they would consider putting him down. But, as someone who works in health-the swelling is now just localised to a specific spot which, in humans at least, would lead me to believe it is a single break -in which case they said that they will let it heal. Although she mentioned a splint which i wasn't too sure about.
But I guess it seems like good news at the moment!
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pthurg
Foraging Degu
Posts: 63 
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Post by pthurg on Sept 22, 2014 15:25:22 GMT
I suggest, echoing what others have said, that you seek a second opinion. I have experienced vets who didnt know as much as I did about degus (and I'm no expert) and left me wondering just what am I paying you for? The charge for the xray seems excessive but they may be including anethesis costs in with that as it'd be impossible to get a decent xray of him whilst conscious. Never the less as floss says it'd be worth ringing around to see if any localish vets had experience and getting a quote. It'd probably be worth going for a consult if you could find someone used to treating degus, or even chinchillas as they may decide that an xray isn't appropriate anyway. If you could ask for a quote of say £30 consultation but £50 if he needs an xray would that be managable? Worth asking, with vets if you don't ask you don't get but they're often willing to negotiate especially for new business.
Good luck to you and your little fella!
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Post by animalmadchloe on Sept 22, 2014 15:31:32 GMT
So, I just took Scruffy to vets and we both agree the foot no longer looks swollmop en, just a specific part of the leg. I managed to haggle and didn't pay for the consultation today, will just pay for the X-Ray which is on Friday. We discussed it and she said that she meant if the entire leg/foot was shattered they would consider putting him down. But, as someone who works in health-the swelling is now just localised to a specific spot which, in humans at least, would lead me to believe it is a single break -in which case they said that they will let it heal. Although she mentioned a splint which i wasn't too sure about. But I guess it seems like good news at the moment! Is Friday the earliest they could get you in for an x ray? Seems like such a long wait |
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Post by moletteuk on Sept 22, 2014 16:12:59 GMT
Well I think it's good news that the swelling is going down, and good news that the communication went better than last time  Do we assume that the swelling is just fluid around the break now, rather than infection? That would be good news too. If the damage now seems more localised this might indicate a single break rather than a larger crush injury that the vet was concerned about. How is Scruffy doing in himself? Is he eating and drinking OK? |
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Post by ilikedegus on Sept 22, 2014 17:39:25 GMT
I'm SO glad he's improved. I wanted to thump your vet!
Could it have been a bite? A fight between Itchy and Manny did not end well, Itchy would not back down, Mannny bit his foot...caused an infection, didn't look as bad as yours but it was pretty swollen.
Though thinking of breaks I've seen in humans, the swelling of breaks is usually greater than an infection - you know that better than me if you work in healthcare ;-)
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Post by melissage on Sept 22, 2014 17:58:05 GMT
Hi guys.
I already tried to get a quote but the other exotic vets refused until I went in for an appointment so in the end I'd prob be better off just swallowing the £100!
Scruffy seems okay in himself -eating and drinking fine, just less active (obviously).
Here's hoping it's just a single break and will update you on Friday - unfortunately my mother is very ill so i have to go with her to see a specialist and hence had to wait until Friday but then that gives him more of a chance to get swelling down and possibly start using the leg.
Will keep you all up to date. Thanks for all the help.
P.s. is a splint on a degu a good idea? I have seen elsewhere that it isn't
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Post by moletteuk on Sept 23, 2014 15:26:44 GMT
I don't see any harm in trying a splint, it's just a case of how long it will last before it gets removed by the degu.
Good to hear he is still Ok in himself.
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Post by melissage on Sept 23, 2014 22:59:00 GMT
Little update: When I went to get Scruffy out to give him his meds today the foot looks almost normal  will still get it x-rayed if he can't put it down and use it before Friday though |
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Post by winic1 on Sept 23, 2014 23:16:20 GMT
He's YOUR goo, not the vet's, and it's not their decision to put him down, it's YOURS. Sounds like they've been trying to bully you into putting him down. Change vets. If the initial consultation is 30, and they have a more reasonable x-ray price, if it's anything less than 70, then you're still ahead of the game.
They should not be deciding if he gets put down. They should be telling you what his situation it, and suggesting that you consider putting him down IF it's indicated. Then YOU decide, not them.
any vet should be able to give you a price on an x-ray--"I need the price for an x-ray of a degu's back leg, suspected break just above the ankle" or whatever. They should be able to say one picture, X amount, 2 pictures/views Y amount. Or at least a range. IF they can't, then they either aren't honest in their charges, or they don't know enough about degus to know what they're dealing with in the first place.
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Post by anita on Sept 26, 2014 7:54:48 GMT
hope the x-ray goes well today!
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Post by animalmadchloe on Sept 26, 2014 8:23:30 GMT
Let us know what happens
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Post by saddlers on Sept 26, 2014 21:16:58 GMT
How has he got on today?
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Do we assume that the swelling is just fluid around the break now, rather than infection? That would be good news too. If the damage now seems more localised this might indicate a single break rather than a larger crush injury that the vet was concerned about.
will still get it x-rayed if he can't put it down and use it before Friday though 
