Poorly Degu Please help

[claireculcheth]

Hi all, Hoping someone can help me. new to this forum thing but owner of 2 female degus who will be three in October this year.

Muffin has always been the more dominant one of the 2 and is the most active and sociable when shes out the cage. She was fine yesterday up until the evening, she weirdly was lying down not wanting to move, My boyfriend got her out the cage and all she did was lay down not moving- normally shes running around and we are trying to catch her! when she was back in the cage she didn't want her sister, cookie near her. Normally they settle down to sleep together but muffin just laid in this tunnel we've got in the cage. Anyway this morning they were both together rin their bed but while putting their food in rather than grabbing food straight away or running up to see what's going on she just lay there. I realise the best  thing is probably to take her to the vet but the only exotic animal vet is around an hour away and in a working week its hard to get there- plus it stresses the goos out so if anyone has any advice before I make an appointment id be really grateful. My boyfriend and I love them very much and are really concerned

Thank You

[moletteuk]

You probably know I am going to say this, but you need to get her to the vet ASAP. Degus hide illness and pain extremely well so if she is obviously lethargic then there could be something seriously wrong and only a vet can help you. Many vets stay open into the late afternoon/ early evening so perhaps you could take her after work tonight.

It seems a bit unusual that you don't have any other signs to go on, so have a think about anything out of the ordinary she may have been doing that could give the vet any clues, things like eating patterns, weight loss, breathing issues, activity levels etc.

[claireculcheth]

Thanks for the reply I know it's really strange she's actually quite fat 300g so we've cut out treats etc to try and get the extra pounds off she's been running around and everything and only since last night been slumped lying around and when feeding this morning didn't want any food, my boyfriend finishes work soon so is going to see how she is and if no improvement I'll ring the vets ... She's only 2 and a bit so I hope she's ok

[claireculcheth]

Booked an appointment at the vets tomorrow was wondering though does anyone know the symptoms if a Degu if they have a bit of a chill my boyfriend has just said her whiskers look like they r shivering even tho it's warm???

[uglibug]

If she isn't moving around and can't tolerate her companion she could be getting cold. Do you have a heat pad she could lie on? If not some rice in a sock gently warmed in the microwave works. Try and see if she will eat anything, a favourite treat maybe, and see if she will drink if you take it to her. Has there been a fight or has she had a fall you are aware of that could have cause an injury?

[moletteuk]

I would keep her warm and try to tempt her with favourite foods and perhaps some porridge made with oats and water with some chopped nuts mixed in. I don't think that shivering is specific enough to provide much of a clue, although it may do to a vet, and it's certainly worth making sure she is warm enough. A chill as in a cold or respiratory infection would usually involve a runny nose and audible raspy or clicking breathing, if the nose is blocked and they need to breathe through the mouth bloating can occur.

[claireculcheth]

Thanks for the advice last name but she started squeaking when breathing like she was panting she doesn't do it all the time anyway the vets is this afternoon so hopefully she can shed some light, it's so worrying cause degus are susceptible to so many things. No fighting has occured and physically there's no wounds or anything. She's started to grind her teeth a bit and she was eating her dust bath weirdly- she ate a bit of hay but that was it treats she's not bothered in and water it's almost like she goes to drink it and then doesn't weird!

[uglibug]

Sounds like she could have spurs on her back teeth pressing on her tongue. Get the vet to give her mouth a good going over. If it is they will need filing off under anesthetic.

[claireculcheth]

Thanks for that funnily enough her sister had teeth trouble last year- we don't know they they are actually sisters but they were bought together and living together so I assume they must be when cookie had the trouble however she was her normal self but was crumbling her food a lot and losing weight, but muffin is just completely washed out feeling sorry for herself would it still be the same thing with all the symptoms? Really appreciate everyone's help thanks so much

[uglibug]

Sorry for the late reply, how did she get on at the vet? It could certainly be the same thing as her sister, genetics play a big part in the health of goos.

[moletteuk]

Could be an infection resulting from a dental issue, but lets hope you already have some answers from the vet. It's always best to be vigilant about dental issues after you have one in a group experiencing a dental problem.

[claireculcheth]

Back from the vets, he felt all round her stomach and listened to her chest which he said was weezing slightly more than he'd like, he then put her under an anaesthetic to check her back teeth - he said they were absolutely fine back ones were a little long but nothing to stop her eating so he's treating her for a respiratory infection she may have picked up he gave her an anti inflammatory injection and a antibiotic injection he's prescribed oral antibiotics starting on Monday when the injection form wears off .... She's still the same she's actually squeaking when she breaths a bit more since she's been home ?? Still not taking any treats or food and goes up to her water bottle like she wants to drink but then doesn't..... Does anyone know how long the antibiotics take to kick in and when we may see an improvement?? I know the vet said her teeth were ok but t it bothers us that she's still not eating ??

[yasmin]

Did the vet do an x-ray? Will she eat soft food like thawed frozen peas?

[claireculcheth]

No he didn't, she won't take anything we gave her a treat she nibbled a bit and dropped it and she keeps going to the water bottle like she wants to drink and then doesn't all so strange hoping she feels better soon once the antibiotics kick in

[uglibug]

Try offering her a little water in a spoon, it might be easier for her.

[klbishop]

did the vet give you critical care? its a liquid food with a boost. weve used it when our boys are poorly

[claireculcheth]

He gave us something similar - a recover liquid food supplement about to try that now and just purchased a heat pad for her but she's not to fussed. She was squeaking loads in night but seems to have stopped now I just hope the vet hasn't missed anything with her teeth but he did knock her out and look all In her mouth hopefully she'll perk up after the food supplement

[claireculcheth]

Just tried the food and water on a spoon actually worked a treat she took quite a little bit which was a good sign thanks for the tip

[moletteuk]

The antibiotic injection is the best way to quickly help her fight any infection, sounds like your vet has been pretty thorough.

Just experiment with the recovery food and water and various foods in various states, liked mashed and mixed with various things like oil, peanut butter, anything with porridge, veggie baby food. You can dip your finger in stuff and see if she will lick it, carry on with the spoon if that worked, dab mashed food on her leg and she might lick it off.

Our nutrition charts list lots of foods that are safe for degus so might give you some inspiration on what you can try deguworld.proboards.com/thread/15602/vegetable-seed-nut-nutrition-charts

I'm not a vet but I would be tempted to start trying to get a little oral antibiotic into her tomorrow night because she might not take much in the first couple of doses while you try to figure out what food you can hide it in.

[deguconvert]

I was thinking the same thing for antibiotics.