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Post by brydyslass on Dec 22, 2014 16:24:27 GMT
Just had Jake in getting his teeth cut again! and while he was under the vet decided to xray the wee mans sore leg. Turns out he has arthritis in two of the joints! Vet been really good and didn't charge for the xray as he was being nosey! Basically Jake is going to be on Metacam permanently now, plus a single level cage! He is happy as Larry snuggled up for the moment.
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Post by deguconvert on Dec 22, 2014 20:13:05 GMT
Awww . . . the poor wee man! A single level cage? How will he have enough room? Do you think he will be better off with that, or happier? I don't recall Jake's age? I am sure the metacam will give him welcome relief, and the vet's snooping has been a true kindness to both you and Jake.
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Post by uglibug on Dec 23, 2014 7:58:04 GMT
Aww, poor little guy. We think Mater has a touch in his back legs, he has slowed down even more this winter, and he was laid back to start with, lol. We have our older boys in a smaller cage and we put ramps around the place to help him get about, he seems quite happy with the current arrangement. Not sure he'd be thrilled with the prospect of a single level cage though, he likes to nibble on fingers through the roof of the cage, and if Buddy is being an ass, it gives him more space to get out the way, lol.
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Post by ilikedegus on Dec 23, 2014 13:06:05 GMT
Metacam will make him more comfortable.
Your vet sounds like a gem, being that interested!
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Post by Karma on Dec 23, 2014 15:39:27 GMT
I would think you could have more than one level if there are shallow ramps for him to use - just trying to limit jumping. If he is still quite young I would really watch his diet as metacam is notorious for causing diabetes in cats and dogs and I would assume the effect is elevated in degus who are already prone to it. Other animals I know of tons of herbs and vitamin supplements that would help but have no idea if glucosamine would be fine for the little guys. Omega 3s do help a lot with inflammation and joint problems so I would give a larger dose of flaxseed (until he gets soft stools from it and then back off a touch - called tolerance levels and used in humans). otherwise hopefully he feels better soon and you can lower the metacam dose to the lowest necessary to keep him happy
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Post by moletteuk on Dec 23, 2014 16:41:49 GMT
I agree with Karma about the shallow ramps, and investigating dietary supplements and keeping the metacam as low as possible, depending on age. Did the vet check both legs, is it worse in one leg than the other?
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Post by brydyslass on Dec 23, 2014 17:46:24 GMT
Thanks folks. Jake is 5 years old. His other legs okay. I will look into flaxseed. The wee cage is 2ft long by 18inches and about the same high. I have lots of wooden ledges in it at the mo to give him a wee bit of exercise. I have a large Hopewell cage. Would it be worth adapting it for him? Assuming that wheel should not be encouraged?
As regards to the Metacam Jake is on 1 drop metacam to 2 drops water.
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Post by uglibug on Dec 24, 2014 17:01:28 GMT
Mater still uses the wheel but he tends to walk rather than run in it. I just assume he stops himself if it gets uncomfotable for him.
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Post by moletteuk on Dec 28, 2014 11:12:39 GMT
I think the best management is for Jake to manage his activity himself, hopefully he will rest up if the pain gets too bad. As long as he can still get around the cage on a bad day, then I would be very reluctant to limit the size of the cage, I would just adapt any jumps and ramps so that they are all shallow and easy to get around. Likewise, I think you need to watch the metacam that it doesn't mask his pain so much that he does too much activity, he's quite young to be on it for the rest of his life. I think with the wheel you need to watch whether he enjoys it and just uses it occasionally for short periods, or whether he uses it for extended periods and then limps afterwards, ie not being sensible with it. I'm not sure small ledges are the best thing because presumably they involve jumping, and as well as this potentially being awkward, his accuracy may decline with the pain.
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Post by brydyslass on Jan 2, 2015 20:11:18 GMT
I have put Jake back in a big cage with little levels that lead up to the big levels. He has become a bit brighter. He doesn't bother too much with the wheel. When he does he takes it at a really leisurely pace. I have reduced the Metacam to every second day which seems to be working too. Still working on his teeth. He needs to go back to get his back teeth trimmed AGAIN!! 3rd time in around 6 weeks.
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Post by moletteuk on Jan 2, 2015 20:37:32 GMT
What is the situation with his teeth now? Are they growing back in irregularly, not matched or wonky?
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Post by brydyslass on Jan 3, 2015 17:19:47 GMT
He is getting spurs on his back teeth. They are better than they were. I hope that it will slow down again soon. He used to be so good at eating hay and things that help keep their teeth down but he has became very fussy lately! I'm sure we will get there with him though.
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Post by moletteuk on Jan 4, 2015 15:41:10 GMT
OK. Fingers crossed.
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