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Post by junior on Apr 20, 2015 2:00:35 GMT
Hi Moletteuk, I'm sorry to say that I think he's getting worse. The swelling has gotten bigger under his jaw and in the neck area. His one eye is now very squinty. He still wants to eat, but he has trouble chewing and eats very slowly. His balance seems off when he goes up and down his little ladder. I am very worried about him. I'm afraid I'm losing him...
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Post by junior on Apr 20, 2015 2:01:17 GMT
Does anyone know which antibiotics are most effective in degu abscesses?
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Post by moletteuk on Apr 20, 2015 10:33:55 GMT
Get him back to the vet ASAP. The only way to know which antibiotic is best for a particular abscess is for the vet to collect a sample of the pus and send it to a lab for analysis. Sometimes trial and error is an alternative, but I think you and the vet need to be proactive in trying to get on top of this now. Three fairly commonly used antibiotics are Baytril, Septrin, and Marbocyl, which is he on?
At this stage the vet may wish to anaesthetise him to clean out the abscess manually, which would also allow the vet to find out what is causing the abscess. An antibiotic injection and a fluid injection might perk him up if he is flagging.
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Post by junior on Apr 20, 2015 13:39:54 GMT
Baytril. We're bringing him to the vet right now.
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Post by animalmadchloe on Apr 20, 2015 19:51:45 GMT
Hello any updates on this? x
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Post by junior on Apr 21, 2015 5:01:45 GMT
I took him back to the vet. He's a wonderful vet, but this is the only degu patient he has. He looked in his mouth and swabbed it out the best he could. The swabs were coming up with brown stuff that looked like pus. There is a large lump on the gum where he removed that small piece of tooth before. He said that he isn't sure if it is tooth structure under the gum or if it's a tumor. He did not suggest doing any x-rays, and said that he was too weak to operate on. He gave him sub Q fluids and another shot of Baytril. When he handed him back to me, his mouth was open and I thought he was dead. They took him back from me and put him on the table. He moved slightly. He wasn't dead, he was just very weak. I brought him home and held him all morning in a towel, trying to keep him warm. I work at night, so I had to leave him around 2:00 this afternoon. I wasn't sure what to do, but I put him back in the cage with his brother. I put him in his hammock, and his brother went up and snuggled with him. Anyway, I just got home a little while ago. His brother was downstairs and the nest in the hammock was all covered over as I had left it. When I said his name, however, he poked his head out. He actually got out of the hammock for a few minutes and ate a peanut! His face is incredibly swollen, though. His eyes are small slits, and he looks awful. He went right back to bed after that, and it's very clear that he does not feel well. He is still alive, though. Any suggestions??
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Post by moletteuk on Apr 21, 2015 10:09:49 GMT
If he has been on baytril for nearly a week with no improvement I would ask the vet to try a different antibiotic, either Marbocyl or Septrin. Perhaps you could speak to the vet on the phone to discuss this, and then take him in to get a shot of the antiobiotic and another SubQ fluid shot since time is critical now. Don't be shy in being pro-active with the vet, especially if the vet does not have degu experience.
Some recovery food like Critical Care or Supreme Recovery might help keep him sustained, you can also offer baby food, or food that you mash yourself and add peanut butter, sunflower oil, seeds, oats etc. He stands more of a chance if you can keep him hydrated and eating a little.
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Post by junior on Apr 21, 2015 16:55:18 GMT
Hello Moletteuk,
Thank you so much for all of the great advice. Unfortunately, I think it is probably too late for anything that is going to save this poor little guy. I think his organs are beginning to shut down, and he appears to be very near the end. Right now I am just trying to keep him quiet and let him pass. His brother is at his side. It's just heartbreaking. He's been such a good little guy, and I will miss him terribly.
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Post by deguconvert on Apr 22, 2015 5:02:32 GMT
Things sound dismal indeed. I am so sorry!! I am really so sorry.
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Post by junior on Apr 22, 2015 23:54:41 GMT
Hi Deguconvert and everyone,
I just wanted to let you all know that he passed away last night. He fought the good fight, but he was tired and not getting any better. In the end it was a relief to see him take his last breath. Poor little guy. He was a sweet little thing and will be missed a lot.
I just wanted to thank you all for your advice, support, and warm wishes. I greatly appreciated all of your help.
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Post by moletteuk on Apr 23, 2015 10:32:03 GMT
I'm so sorry for your loss. I'm sure he knew how much you and his brother loved him, and he reached a good age.
Run free little one x
What was his name? I'm sorry I wasn't around for you yesterday.
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Post by saddlers on Apr 23, 2015 11:35:29 GMT
Sorry to hear about your loss
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Post by junior on Apr 24, 2015 18:43:30 GMT
Hi Moletteuk and Saddlers,
Thank you so much for the kind words. I really appreciate it. His name was Tony, and we buried him this morning under a forsythia bush.
I feel very sorry for his brother, who seems very lonely by himself. I wish I could find an elderly cage mate for him, but it doesn't look like it will be easy. Poor little guy...
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Post by moletteuk on Apr 25, 2015 10:29:31 GMT
Hope the 'funeral' helped a little bit. Do keep an eye out for another elderly single for his brother, you never know, and there are always lots of degus looking for homes, and inevitably people in the same situation as you In the meantime people report that a gentle heatpad or a safe cuddly toy can provide a little comfort to a single goo, and perhaps some different seeds or herbs could spark his interest a bit.
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Post by animalmadchloe on Apr 25, 2015 10:59:02 GMT
So sorry for your loss at least he's free from pain now :,( xxx hugs xxx
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Post by ntg on Apr 26, 2015 19:03:35 GMT
I'm so very sorry for your loss. Rest in peace little one.
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Post by disdegus on Apr 27, 2015 21:03:07 GMT
So sorry - as is everyone - to hear about your little boy. I've just lost my little girl, Dolly, to a tumour in her mouth, she was six and a half and such a gentle, sweet, little degu. I had to make the decision to have her put to sleep as she was not able to run in her wheel, just wanted to be cuddled all the time. I miss her so much (it was the 9th April) and her little friend, Minnie, is now left alone. But she seems to be doing okay and is interacting more with us. At least comfort yourself that Tony lived to a good age (that's what the vet said to me about Dolly) and I'm sure you gave him a wonderful life. Pity we have to lose them some way as they are such adorable creatures. I'll be grieving for a good while, but I'm so glad to have had her, she brought me such joy and I'm sure she had a very happy life. She'll be with her little mate, Aggie, in heaven now...
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Post by deguconvert on Apr 29, 2015 5:18:21 GMT
I am so sorry! How heart breaking! I feel so, so sad. I am really sorry. My heart hurts. Sending you hugs.
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Post by junior on May 12, 2015 3:30:33 GMT
So sorry - as is everyone - to hear about your little boy. I've just lost my little girl, Dolly, to a tumour in her mouth, she was six and a half and such a gentle, sweet, little degu. I had to make the decision to have her put to sleep as she was not able to run in her wheel, just wanted to be cuddled all the time. I miss her so much (it was the 9th April) and her little friend, Minnie, is now left alone. But she seems to be doing okay and is interacting more with us. At least comfort yourself that Tony lived to a good age (that's what the vet said to me about Dolly) and I'm sure you gave him a wonderful life. Pity we have to lose them some way as they are such adorable creatures. I'll be grieving for a good while, but I'm so glad to have had her, she brought me such joy and I'm sure she had a very happy life. She'll be with her little mate, Aggie, in heaven now... Hi Disdegus, Thanks so much for your nice note. I'm very sorry to hear about your Dolly. What a terrible shame. I wonder if tumors in the mouth are common with degus? That seems to be what mine had, too. I kept hoping it was an infection that the antibiotics would cure, but unfortunately, he didn't respond to the meds at all. It sounds like your Dolly had a wonderful life with you and Minnie. I'm sure she misses you as much as you miss her. Thank you again, and take good care!!
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Post by junior on May 12, 2015 3:35:33 GMT
I am so sorry! How heart breaking! I feel so, so sad. I am really sorry. My heart hurts. Sending you hugs. Hi Deguconvert, Thanks so much for the kind words and for caring. I do appreciate it. It has been sad, and I am worried about his brother. I've been searching around for an elderly single that I could try to introduce him to, but so far I haven't had any luck. Degus seem to be very hard to come by in the US these days. A few years back I remember seeing them from time to time, but I haven't been able to find any at all now that I am searching for one. I'm going to get my husband to convert our old parrot cage to a new cage for him next week, and I'm hoping that the new and improved home will help to cheer him up. Thanks again for your help and the hugs. You've all been really great, and I truly appreciated the suggestions and support.
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