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Post by bouncy on Jan 25, 2016 19:44:41 GMT
When I finish the baby jacket, I'll move onto degus. I wonder if there's a market out there for knitted degu fashion?!
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Post by yasmin on Jan 27, 2016 0:44:46 GMT
That's interesting – hopefully it is just that. Still taking him in just to make sure that he is recovering – he still stumbles a bit and he is not eating his hard food. Loves fresh and dried greens though, and sunflower seeds. (I think Makoto would look awesome in a hoodie – a black one, with a skull on it lol )
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Post by bouncy on Jan 27, 2016 10:41:54 GMT
Fingers crossed
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Post by yasmin on Jan 27, 2016 18:23:16 GMT
Back from the vet. I told him that Makoto is still stumbling, that he exhausts easily, that he has been on and off coughing, and that his eating is not normal – he won't eat his pellets or puffed rice, but he eats fresh greens and dried greens and only eats sunflower seeds if given to him (I've been leaving a few of these along with other seeds on a dish for him and he doesn't touch these). I also noted the baldness under his chin and upper chest.
He is still extremely squirmy so an anaesthetic would be needed to look into his mouth and deal with any teeth issues. I did not want to take this risk so the vet did x-rays instead because he also wanted to see what was going on in Makoto's chest.
The good news: Makoto's ears – outer and deep inner – are clear and clean. His molars and roots look good and his incisors look good.
The bad news: Makoto seems to have some sort of a mass pressing up against his esophagus and his heart. It could be a lymphoma or some other sort of cancer. His ear infection could possibly be related to this if it has spread to his head area (brain, ears, etc.) or affecting his immune system. It would explain why soft foods are easier for him to swallow, and why he becomes very exhausted and coughs/squeaks at times.
Treatment: I could give him prednisone to shrink the mass but prednisone has potential negative side effects in degus. Factoring in that he is showing some possible neurological issues as well, and that medicating him via syringe is extremely stressful for him (and us), I have, for the moment, declined that option. I have decided to let him have at least a week or so free of any force-feeding of meds or anything else. I want the rest of his life to be as stress-free as possible.
I have put back the ramp to the second half level of his four level cage and put up a barrier to prevent him from falling off. I'll see how that goes. I will also try to maximize the time he has with his half-brother Roku – I can tell that Makoto wants to be with him because I have seen him chewing on the bars near Roku's cage and Makoto spends a lot of time looking over at Roku.
Right now, he seems to be enjoying his life so I hope this continues for as long as possible.
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Post by bouncy on Jan 27, 2016 18:34:02 GMT
Oh you've really been having a rough time with your furries recently! Let's hope he has some good days left
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Post by moletteuk on Jan 28, 2016 13:40:30 GMT
Well, firstly I'm glad that you and the vet ended up picking the right option to tell you what is going on with the xray, but I'm very sorry he has such a serious issue. Does the vet still think there was an ear infection?
I hope he can relax and settle down a little with your stress free plan, maybe you can have some success with some soft food options for him, at least you have plenty of experience with that, I also hope he can have a peaceful visit with Roku.
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Post by yasmin on Jan 28, 2016 21:27:28 GMT
He does still think there was an ear infection – the swab he first took was extremely black and dirty, and there was an overgrowth in yeast and bacteria. That said, maybe the infection is due to overall poor health and/or an overtaxed immune system.
As far as soft food goes, Makoto will not, so far, eat anything prepared (ground or wet) – but he loves his fresh vegetables and Versele-Laga Crock Nature, and I think he is still eating sunflower seeds and oats when presented to him. I will keep trying other options though.
Too busy at work to put Roku and Makoto together – will try and do that tomorrow or the weekend.
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Post by Kins on Jan 29, 2016 10:04:53 GMT
Aww, poor Makoto, sounds like you have a good plan in place to do what you can for the little lad! Thinking of you and him.
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Post by animalmadchloe on Jan 30, 2016 9:11:58 GMT
Sorry to hear about makoto x
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Post by deguconvert on Jan 30, 2016 22:03:39 GMT
I'm so sorry as well, Yasmin. I hope we can see a miraculous turn for him.
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Post by yasmin on Jan 31, 2016 4:32:11 GMT
Thank you all. I am hoping for a miracle too but at least he is alive and relatively happy, I think, and I am very thankful for that . He is eating and running his wheel and adapting to his head tilt. My husband thinks he can make guard rails for the ramps.
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Post by deguconvert on Jan 31, 2016 7:45:31 GMT
The guard rails make me smile!! That would be lovely! Thank your kind and compassionate hubby for me.
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Post by yasmin on Feb 14, 2016 1:20:22 GMT
Update on Makoto: He now has a ramp with guard rails, but overall he's been able to navigate all ramps pretty well. He spends time with Roku every day, now for about an hour or so. They are very friendly with each other; Makoto comes to life when he spends time with Roku. There is no fighting when they run around in each other's cages. Just need to take out the wheels from the cages because Makoto tries to run the wheel with Roku but can't keep up and ends up being thrown from it. Makoto is still stumbling a wee bit but it seems less so with each passing day. He still does have the head tilt though. And he now has swelling around his pee-pee area and lower abdomen. I'm afraid it might be a tumor – might take him to the vet next week to have him tell me what he thinks is going on. Will not put Makoto down though – whatever the swelling is, it doesn't seem to be bothering him.
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Post by bouncy on Feb 14, 2016 1:45:34 GMT
Makoto seems to be coping very well! I'm so pleased to hear this good news
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Post by Bexi87 on Feb 14, 2016 4:28:42 GMT
So glad Makoto is doing okay and is able to spend time with Roku. They are very lucky to have you Yasmin
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Post by moletteuk on Feb 14, 2016 13:03:40 GMT
Good to hear Makoto is still taking pleasure in life, long may it continue, let's hope the abdominal swelling isn't too serious.
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Post by deguconvert on Feb 15, 2016 2:05:42 GMT
That is so good to hear!! So, So happy for you and for Makoto!
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Post by yasmin on Feb 18, 2016 16:27:28 GMT
The swelling in his pee-pee area is enormous this morning and he is rolling around trying to deal with it – very distressed. Have an appointment with the vet at 1:40 pm.
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Post by moletteuk on Feb 18, 2016 16:39:59 GMT
good luck.
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Post by bouncy on Feb 18, 2016 23:39:34 GMT
Any news, Yasmin?
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