|
Post by tortielicious on Dec 2, 2014 23:42:10 GMT
Hi all, about 3 weeks ago, Barbara goo started with a few baldy patches over her body, slight scratches were visible at each spot. Took her to my vet, who specialises in exotics. he gave her a spot-on treatment like the flea treatments that cats have and gave me another to treat Maggie Goo (who didn't have any symptoms). She got worse, scratching constantly, losing more fur and bleeding where she had scratched. i took her back to the vet a few days later, he gave her an anti-inflammatory injection and took a skin sample to look at under a microscope.He said there was a mite on the slide but it was dead, he was confident the itching and scratching would stop soon but advised a second spot-on treatment 2 weeks after the first one. The scratching is worse than ever and she squeaks when scratching, seemingly in pain. She had the 2nd spot-on Saturday gone and gave me a spray (calvazone) to apply once daily for up to 2 wks, Sprayed onto gauze then rubbed over her skin and fur. i have thoroughly cleaned their cage tonite, right down to the wire, throwing away their nesting box and toys and replacing them. i don't know what else to do and she is getting no better, she looks so depressed and is not eating much. has anybody had an experience like this with mites? And how did you get rid of them? Thanks in advance x
|
|
|
Post by deguconvert on Dec 3, 2014 4:10:39 GMT
I've not had any experience with this, and can only think to recommend that you go back to your vet. In the meantime, what foods are you feeding her, what bedding do you use. I wonder if it is an allergic reaction to something? The poor girl, she needs relief and soon!! You must be sick with worry and concern. I am so sorry for you and Barbara. How soon could you have her seen?
|
|
|
Post by Karma on Dec 3, 2014 5:12:29 GMT
an oatmeal bath might help .... I would use hot water in the sink, mix some straight oats into (flaked or powdered if you can find it), let it cool and then put the degu in the sink. Oatmeal is a natural skin soother and we know it is safe for degus I had to do washes and hot water baths with my degu when his foot was all infected and he actually seemed to enjoy them ... never did try and jump out for a good 10 minutes until he had had enough. otherwises lots of omega 3s - flaxseed, nuts, chia are all great sources. they help repair skin and coat and have anti-inflammatory properties.
|
|
|
Post by Maravilla on Dec 3, 2014 7:54:20 GMT
an oatmeal bath might help .... I would use hot water in the sink, mix some straight oats into (flaked or powdered if you can find it), let it cool and then put the degu in the sink. Oatmeal is a natural skin soother and we know it is safe for degus This is something I would do only with very tame and cooperative degus, if I tried it (something I really doubt). And if you do it, make sure the room is warm enough as a cold or another infection is the last thing you wish him to catch. As deguconvert already said, I would also go for the allergic reaction if all the medication does not work (or even makes it worse). This could be an allergy to food, hay, straw, bedding, but also to cremes, lotions, perfumes, cleaning agents, etc. you use on yourself or when cleaning cage or home. Ask your vet if he would try cortisone. If it was an allergy, this could help. But then it is up to you to find out the allergene(s).
|
|
|
Post by tortielicious on Dec 3, 2014 8:05:54 GMT
thankyou all...i haven't changed anything that i usually buy for them, i use a paper based litter, timothy hay, feed degu nuggets and degu selective.Use the same cleaning spray which is animal safe and specifically for cages /hutches. My other goo is perfectly fine ?? I feel so sorry for Barbara, the vet said give the spray 2 weeks before going back but it will be 10 days before she is due and i can't leave her that long.
|
|
|
Post by moletteuk on Dec 3, 2014 12:20:44 GMT
Are we talking about the microscopic demodex type of mites? Most degus will have these in small numbers, it's just occasionally that they multiply and become a problem, sometimes if the health of the degu is compromised in another way. That could be why finding one dead mite isn't conclusive as to whether they are the problem or not.
Normal treatment is spot on treatment three times at 10 day intervals. Degutopia states the dosage is one drop per 60g weight of degu for the 0.1% concentration solution (I think there is a stronger version too), so you might want to check this against what you have been given. To be honest, if it is mites, I think you should see a reduction in symptoms a day or two after the first treatment.
What is the Calvazone? I can't find this on the internet.
Another option could be a fungal infection. These tend to be treated with sprays (maybe that is what you have now?).
Always go back to the vet when treatment doesn't go as expected. UK vets are usually happy to speak to you on the phone if you have already had a consultation. Just explain she has not improved and seems distressed. Perhaps she could have some metacam (painkiller & antiinflammatory) to take the edge off the discomfort while you get to the bottom of the problem.
|
|
|
Post by animalmadchloe on Dec 3, 2014 19:31:24 GMT
My degus came.home from the let shop with ring worm which caused sore bald patches I was given a spray I'll let you know what it's called when I'm home that seemed to.do the trick is wouldn't lutbanynore treatments or chemicals on the skin if it's broken as this could really sting in would try oatmeal bath if degu is tame maybe have a warm heat pad ready once degu is bathed xx
|
|
|
Post by tortielicious on Dec 4, 2014 19:42:40 GMT
What is the Calvazone? I can't find this on the internet. Another option could be a fungal infection. These tend to be treated with sprays (maybe that is what you have now?). Always go back to the vet when treatment doesn't go as expected. UK vets are usually happy to speak to you on the phone if you have already had a consultation. Just explain she has not improved and seems distressed. Perhaps she could have some metacam (painkiller & antiinflammatory) to take the edge off the discomfort while you get to the bottom of the problem. Hi I have checked the invoices to see what treatments she has had, initially she had a Xeno 50 mini spot on tube and I saw no improvement, took her back and she was given an injection of Colvazone 50ml. 9 days later she had a further Xeno 50 mini spot on tube and I bought the Cortavance spray (sorry I got the name wrong the other day!) which he told me to rub on her daily for up to 14 days. I sent a text to the vet first thing this morning, with a picture of her neck, as it is really sore looking and bleeding. He hasn't replied and I have just been in to Babs to rub the Cortavance over her, she looks so down and is not eating very much. I'm considering going to another local vet who is nearer to me and specialises in dermatology but doesn't have the exotics knowledge like my current vet. Not sure what to do but I need to nip this in the bud because she's been like this for a few weeks now.
|
|
|
Post by deguconvert on Dec 4, 2014 20:14:27 GMT
I totally support you going to the other vet, if only to have the benefit of a second opinion. I think it is a really wise ides!
|
|
|
Post by moletteuk on Dec 4, 2014 21:02:11 GMT
OK, so the Colvasone is dexamethasone, which is a corticosteroid anti-inflammatory.
Cortavance is hydrocortisone steroid for allergic or 'sensitivity' skin reactions.
Xeno is the most reputable mite treatment.
I think your vet is actually being quite adventurous in using these sprays, they seem to be trying to make Barbara more comfortable, even if it's not working! Sometimes with degus and other small furries you have to work through a list of possible causes in the order of probability, so you might not hit the right cause and treatment first time. I would phone them and ask to speak to the vet, text is no good because you need to have a conversation. Just say the treatments aren't working, can they suggestion anything else, and specifically ask about the possibility of a fungal infection. Depending on what they say you can go along with what they suggest or you can try another vet. You have already covered mites and allergic reaction, so IMHO fungal infection is the next on the list to try.
|
|
|
Post by tortielicious on Dec 4, 2014 22:31:30 GMT
Many thanks for the advice guys, will call the vet tomorrow and see what he suggests
|
|
|
Post by tortielicious on Dec 13, 2014 18:06:19 GMT
Sadly, Barbara went downhill and we made the difficult decision to let her go today. She was in such a bad way last night, scratched all her face under her eye and it was bleeding badly. there was blood in the cage this morning. The vet we had been seeing said last weekend that as the prescribed treatments hadn't worked, it was likely that there was something else going on and her immune system was so low as a result and was affecting her ability to recover. He gave her a further steroid injection and antibiotics for her drinking water and asked us to update him midweek. Babs deteriorated and her breathing was affected, she didn't seem to be able to get comfortable and squealed when we touched her. The vet didn't bother to tell us that he was on a course and is not back at the practice until Monday. I had sent a text update with a photo asking what to do next, no reply. The receptionist said he would still pick up his messages, she would get a messahe to him asking him to call me. I'm still waiting.... So I went to a new vet who specialises in dermatology, she said Babs probably had a cancer and she could tell by looking at her that she was really ill, her eyes were dull and cloudy and her eyelids had gone all droopy.she also looked at all the treatments Babs had been prescribed and said it was exactly what she would have prescribed and it should have cleared up the skin condition. There was a cream she could have prescribed for us to apply on her but there was a risk of it causing serious side effects to her respiratory and digestive system. The vet added that she didn't think this was of any benefit as it was more serious than a skin condition. We decided she had suffered enough and it was the kindest thing to let her go when there was no prospect of her getting better. I asked to have her cremated and received a call from the pet crematorium 2 hours later to say they had collected her and they would bring her to my house tomorrow. Her ashes will be in a casket with a plaque on, i'm going to put her in the little bedroom so she's still with Maggie. So worried about Maggie now because they were so close and Maggie obviously knew Babs wasn't well as she went off her food as well, she's been squeaking for her all day. I know we've done the right thing but i'm heartbroken :-(
|
|
|
Post by moletteuk on Dec 13, 2014 18:21:51 GMT
I'm so sorry to hear this, poor Barbara, it does sound like there was something else serious going on, you've done everything you could for her. I hope Maggie perks up soon and that you can comfort each other a little bit in your sorrow.
|
|
|
Post by tortielicious on Dec 13, 2014 18:42:22 GMT
Thankyou molette, you always question whether you should allow further tests to confirm what it is or to try more treatment but had they found it was cancer, I don't think the outcome would have been different and i didn't want my beloved furry friend to suffer anymore. RIP Barbara xx
|
|
|
Post by animalmadchloe on Dec 13, 2014 18:51:59 GMT
Awww this made my eyes well up so sorry for ur loss xxx
|
|
|
Post by saddlers on Dec 13, 2014 19:43:33 GMT
So sorry to hear about your loss
|
|
|
Post by tortielicious on Dec 13, 2014 20:11:27 GMT
Thankyou everybody...it hurts a lot at the moment xx
|
|
|
Post by Karma on Dec 13, 2014 21:30:37 GMT
Awwwwwwwwe hugs times a million! I'm wondering if it was some sort of auto immune disorder? They would cause the body to attack its own cells ..... Sucks any way though
|
|
|
Post by tortielicious on Dec 14, 2014 11:49:13 GMT
She had always been susceptible to illness right from the get go, i've nursed her through a few times, unfortunately, this time she lost the fight
|
|
|
Post by tortielicious on Dec 14, 2014 21:20:28 GMT
Got Babs' ashes back earlier, in a lovely casket with a plaque on and the guy surprised me with a keyring which had a clipping of Babs' fur inside. broke my heart all over again, such a lovely thought. she's back with Maggie now, she would have wanted that xx
|
|