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Post by chocolatedeguaimzy on Oct 22, 2015 2:22:45 GMT
So my degu Chocolate went to the vets about 3 months ago to find out his penis is out (prolapse penis), they couldn't get it back in, there was no hair there nor dirt, they tried everything to put it back in but no luck. They gave me antibiotics which I have him. So yesterday he was all well and okay! coming to the cage waiting for food, this morning i woke up and he wasn't by the cage as normal? I called his name and he didn't respond, I russled his food and he got up I put the food in and he gave it one look and walked away...
He hadn't ate anything and I can see he is losing weight. I'm confused for my little man, he is roughly 5/6?
Also I still have his antibiotics though it is out of date I suppose I can't give it to him, but I want to make sure if I'm allowed or not to?
If anyone can give me advise I'd really appreciate it!
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Post by deguconvert on Oct 22, 2015 4:04:57 GMT
I wouldn't just give him antibiotics if there is no known infection occurring. However there is certainly something going on and I really think your best course is to take him to your vet and have him looked at. He could be suffering from teeth issues. The incisors being the ones that we can see so easily at the front of the mouth certainly can over grow and make it difficult to open the mouth wide enough to gnaw or bite food. However degus also have molars top and bottom at the back of their mouth, and these can over grow as well, producing spurs that can block the opening to the throat, or pierce and imbed themselves in the tongue. There can be ulcers in the cheeks, tongue, or gums which make eating and drinking very painful. Ulcers are not common, but they do occur, and issues with tooth overgrowth are fairly common and it is a condition we as owners need to be on the alert for.
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Post by moletteuk on Oct 22, 2015 9:33:16 GMT
Degus hide pain and illness very well, so if he is showing obvious signs like not eating and weight loss, then it's probably serious and he should see the vet.
Has he lost weight gradually? You should ask for a full mouth examination, which may require sedation to see all the back teeth. Dental issues are very common.
You could try offering veg based baby food or some mushed up food to see if he has any interest at all in eating, or something super tempting like oats or pieces of nut.
Did his penis eventually go back in?
I don't think there is any point giving antibiotics when you don't have any particular reason to think there is an infection.
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Post by chocolatedeguaimzy on Oct 23, 2015 2:23:34 GMT
He was eating fine the day before and he happily eats his treats though he has been eating only a little today though I'm confused
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Post by moletteuk on Oct 23, 2015 8:56:18 GMT
Are you taking him to the vet today? I would strongly suggest you go before the weekend.
What about the weight loss, do you know how much he has lost and over how long? What are you confused about? Sometimes they will refuse pellets and still eat treats because the pellets are hard and difficult to eat with spiky teeth in your mouth (for example) but the treats are higher energy and worth the pain in order to survive.
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