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Post by hannah93 on Apr 16, 2015 18:47:39 GMT
Hello,
My degu, Ruby, had to have a dental operation last night due to overgrown teeth.
I've been given painkillers to give her once a day and antibiotics to give her twice a day, but I'm really worried about how I'm going to get her to take them.
The nurse said it would be best to syringe them straight into her mouth but she doesn't like being handled, and I'm worried that she won't eat the pellets if I put the drops on them.
Has anyone got any advice on the best way to give her the drops without her ending up falling out with me?
Thanks
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Post by moletteuk on Apr 16, 2015 19:57:43 GMT
Similar question in this thread, including link to the best way if you do need to manhandle Ruby deguworld.proboards.com/thread/19238/degu-swollen-faceBest choice is something absorbant like shredded wheat cereal or porridge oats, but you can also use a slice of nut, the crack in puffed buckwheat, mixed into peanut butter, anything she really likes that disguises the taste. Hope she gets well soon, and do have a look in the diet section as degus with dental problems benefit from a forage based high calcium diet. |
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Post by hannah93 on Apr 16, 2015 20:51:29 GMT
Thank you, that's very useful.
Just another quick question, she's very skittish at the moment and although she's eaten her treat food, she hasn't touched her pellets. She also keeps stretching her mouth open - is this normal behaviour after a dental op? I'm not sure if I'm being unnecessarily worried about her.
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Post by animalmadchloe on Apr 17, 2015 6:24:46 GMT
Oats always work in our house they just can't resist oats I usually feed the degu needing abs separately from the others else it's likely to be pinched  |
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Post by saddlers on Apr 17, 2015 7:58:54 GMT
Quite normal for them to be a bit on edge after an op, and she should settle. The stretching of the mouth was something we witnessed with Nutmeg every time she has had her teeth done. I assume it is just that feeling that something is different in the mouth/maybe a bit of tenderness, but it has always settled. You are right to keep an eye on her, but don't panic it does sound quite normal.
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Post by saddlers on Apr 17, 2015 8:10:25 GMT
Shreddies are something we use for medication that seem to work well with our lot, whilst they do include some sugar, they are one of the lower ones, and should be okay as an occasional treat/medication purposes. Shredded wheat bitesize are lower in sugar, as are cornflakes.
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Post by moletteuk on Apr 17, 2015 12:39:24 GMT
People generally report it can take between 2 and 7 days for them to eat normally after a dental op.
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Post by hannah93 on Apr 17, 2015 12:57:27 GMT
Thank you for your replies everyone, you've definitely put my mind at ease. I think I'm panicking too much as I've never had to take her to the vets before and I'm not sure if she's behaving normally, but it seems she is.
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Post by animalmadchloe on Apr 17, 2015 22:23:29 GMT
Quite normal for them to be a bit on edge after an op, and she should settle. The stretching of the mouth was something we witnessed with Nutmeg every time she has had her teeth done. I assume it is just that feeling that something is different in the mouth/maybe a bit of tenderness, but it has always settled. You are right to keep an eye on her, but don't panic it does sound quite normal. Al was doing the mouth stretching after having his teeth done last week but i was told that they had cut his mouth wile doing his teeth, I also wondered if they stretch their mouths open because of jaw ache like we do, as the vets yanked there poor mouth open wide to get to the teeth and stretching the jaw muscles? , and there just like "christ I've got jaw ache" But yes mine also jaw stretch after teeth like there in a bit of discomfort but it only lasts a couple days |
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