Not quite sneezing, not quite coughing?

[regnant]

My two degus have started making a noise and I'm not sure what it is. I'm pretty sure it's health related and not just a general sound (I've had them for 2+ years and they've never made a sound like this).

Basically it sounds like the smallest little sneeze or cough, almost a chuff. They do it every 10-30 seconds. They are otherwise acting normal and look healthy. They run, eat, and play, and are still at a healthy weight (I haven't noticed any significant changes). I've heard them sneeze before and it's not this. Is it a cough? Are degu coughs not loud?

Nothing in their environment has changed. Even with my other pets everything has stayed the same. I don't think it's an allergy because of that.

Any ideas? If it's not gone by this weekend I'm going to take them into the vet (or if they start showing worrying signs), but if it's just something normal I'd prefer not to.

[moletteuk]

A normal degu sneeze is a sharp exhalation from the nose, it's quite like a little 'chuff' noise, but if you think you you've heard that over the last couple of years and this is something different then I think this is quite concerning. Are they wiping at their noses, any mucus from the nose, can you hear any wheezing or breathing noises if you put your ear to the face? I have a degu who has had breathing difficulties in the past, including wheezing noises, but I've only ever heard the one type of sneezing noise.

Are there any different chemicals around that you might not have thought of?
Do you monitor their weight, have you seen any weight loss?

I think a vet visit could be a good idea, respiratory infections can become a problem quite quickly.

[regnant]

Feb 3, 2016 20:23:23 GMT moletteuk said:

A normal degu sneeze is a sharp exhalation from the nose, it's quite like a little 'chuff' noise, but if you think you you've heard that over the last couple of years and this is something different then I think this is quite concerning. Are they wiping at their noses, any mucus from the nose, can you hear any wheezing or breathing noises if you put your ear to the face? I have a degu who has had breathing difficulties in the past, including wheezing noises, but I've only ever heard the one type of sneezing noise.

Are there any different chemicals around that you might not have thought of?
Do you monitor their weight, have you seen any weight loss?

I think a vet visit could be a good idea, respiratory infections can become a problem quite quickly.

Yes it's definitely not sneezing. I don't see any mucus or excessive nose wiping. It's really just this odd faint sound every once in a while, and it's not consistent enough to be breathing.

All the chemicals have stayed the same. I use the Nature's Miracle cage cleaner and have used it for the past year with no problems. Any other chemicals are mainly dusting wipes. I monitor their weight occasionally and haven't noticed any change, and they are both eating and pooping/peeing normally. This is the first time they've ever shown some sort of problem.

I've scheduled a vet visit for Saturday (there's only one place that takes rodents near me and that was their only opening). I'll keep a close eye on them until then and see if I notice any of the signs you mentioned. I may be able to find an emergency vet who will look at them sooner if need be

[deguconvert]

I also think it needs to be checked out, and I am glad you have made an appointment with your Vet. Hopefully things do not become worse before you can have them seen. I find the schedule of vets and doctors equally frustrating . . . as you want to see those professionals that you are familiar with, but seldom can you get in when the illness comes on or worsens. I hope they are able to quickly diagnose and treat whatever is going on.

[regnant]

Well it's definitely sneezing now! Before it maybe was just sniffles.

Looks like my chinchilla caught it to D:

Vet said it was OK to bring her in with the degus... This turning into a rodent field trip!

[bouncy]

So, what did the vet say?

[regnant]

Just got back from the vet! They all got some minor virus, but lungs are clear and it's nothing to worry about. I was given some eye drops that will help clear up their sinuses and prevent bacteria

I'll need to keep an eye on them to see if their nasal discharge becomes colorful instead of clear (would mean they have a bacterial infection too). I'm also going to add some extra vitamin A to their diet to help prevent future issues

All the employees at the vet came to see the degus XD only the lead vet (who was the one examining them) had seen them before. Luckily the degus and chinchilla were all well behaved and the vets were amazing with them~

[bouncy]

Excellent!

Yeah, degus get a lot of attention when they're out and about! When I took mine for a check up, I ended up sat outside for 45mins with people asking questions. Ironically, this was a Sunday morning, and the vet was next to Costa Coffee lol

[deguconvert]

So glad it is nothing scary!! Glad you got them looked at!!

[regnant]

I'm glad the vet showed me how to make a simple "burrito" with each rodent and a towel to help them stay still when I'm giving the drops!

They don't like the eye drops, but I'm amazed at how forgiving they all are Once they are back in their cage they become friendly again and not angry at me in any way

I also managed to find some good quality and sugar free carrot treats to help up their vitamin A. I'll get some fresh carrot too but the treats will help if I don't remember to hit the grocery store

[moletteuk]

Glad you had a good experience at the vets, hope they make a quick recovery.

Do be careful with any artificial vitamin supplements, a range of oil seeds and some fresh forage are the best way to increase vitamins and nutrients in the diet.

[regnant]

Feb 8, 2016 11:25:08 GMT moletteuk said:

Glad you had a good experience at the vets, hope they make a quick recovery.

Do be careful with any artificial vitamin supplements, a range of oil seeds and some fresh forage are the best way to increase vitamins and nutrients in the diet.

Oh yes I'll definitely try to do fresh as much as possible! But if I don't have fresh and still want to give them a treat, it's nice to have some good non perishable stuff.

All the rodents are fighting against the eye drops now. I think they're fed up with them after a few days! The degus have stopped sneezing entirely, but the chinchilla still sneezes every few minutes (she did catch it after the degus though)

[moletteuk]

Good to hear they are recovering

[regnant]

Sneezing has stopped and they are all acting normal again, and even seem to have forgiven me already!

[bouncy]

Excellent news!

[deguconvert]

WOO HOO!! That is wonderful!