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Post by voodookiten22 on May 8, 2016 18:24:22 GMT
I have a lone male degu (he was dropped off at the pet store I work at and was the first one I've ever seen in 13 years at an exotic shop). He was extremely skinny had a malclusion that was corrected 3 weeks ago. I dont know how old he is. Then a week later his leg was broken and then abscessed and had to be amputated on 4/29/16. He is healing very well and is on baytril and gabapentin. Then earlier this week his chin abcessed. The abcessed ruptured today I lanced it and flushed it with a diluted iodine solution per the vets instruction. he is under the care of a vet that deals in exotics but here in maryland USA degus are very rare and we are having trouble getting info for his treatment. He is eating and gaining weight ( I am supplementing with hand feedings 2 to 3 times a day) He has another apt. On the 19th with the vet for suture removal and x-rays to check the jaw. So now that you have his background info my question is 1) is there a stronger antibiotic we can use for the abcess? 2)can I use silver sulfadiazine to help treat the open abcess? Any assistance would be amazing! thank you in advance.
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Post by bouncy on May 8, 2016 20:57:58 GMT
I haven't had experience with goos and antibiotics, but salt water is always a recommended treatment for abscesses. You could perhaps try some small amounts of rolled oats and nuts to help him gain weight?
How on earth did he break his leg??
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Post by deguconvert on May 8, 2016 22:21:49 GMT
The poor little guy has been through quite a difficult time! I have only once had to give antibiotics, and they worked quickly and well . . . nothing stronger was needed, so I don't know what to tell you either. I would also suggest a mild salt solution for irrigating the abscess.
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Post by voodookiten22 on May 9, 2016 1:08:35 GMT
I haven't had experience with goos and antibiotics, but salt water is always a recommended treatment for abscesses. You could perhaps try some small amounts of rolled oats and nuts to help him gain weight? How on earth did he break his leg?? I have no clue I came home to a goo with a very swollen leg.
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Post by yasmin on May 9, 2016 2:36:46 GMT
Welcome to the forum voodookiten22 .
I don't know of any antibiotic stronger than Baytril. I also don't know about silver sulfadiazine – I am not sure if it would be poisonous if your degu licks it – but Regular Polysporin can be used. (NOT Neosporin)
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Post by voodookiten22 on May 9, 2016 2:40:44 GMT
I haven't used the silver sulfadiazine on him. But is polysporin like triple antibiotic ointment?
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Post by yasmin on May 9, 2016 3:05:02 GMT
Just checked the active ingredients in the tube I've used and it says they are "Bacitracin Zinc and Polymycin 8 Sulfate". No lidocaine in it like the Polysporin Triple has. No Neomycin either.
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Post by voodookiten22 on May 9, 2016 3:06:58 GMT
Just checked the active ingredients in the tube I've used and it says they are "Bacitracin Zinc and Polymycin 8 Sulfate". No lidocaine in it like the Polysporin Triple has. Thank you very much. I'll check what I have and see if it's something I can use
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Post by yasmin on May 9, 2016 3:07:55 GMT
Avoid "Neomycin" as an active ingredient as well.
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Post by uglibug on May 9, 2016 8:16:51 GMT
Poor little guy has certainly been through the mill, bless him, well done for taking him on. Not sure what to suggest antibiotic wise, have only ever used baytrill, but I definitely think some high calorie nuts and seeds might help him gain weight. His poor overall condition could be contributing to his problems, have a look at the nutrition boards and see if you can find some high calorie snacks for him.
The broken leg could also be related to his previous owners, poor diet can cause weakened bones leading to breaks.
For wounds we keep cans of sterile saline spray for a quick and easy clean, just spray and go so to speak. It's often easier than trying to keep the little bleeders still while you try and bathe a wound.
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Post by bouncy on May 9, 2016 8:45:03 GMT
Ooh, thanks Uglibug, you just reminded me......
In the UK, my local "good" petshop now keeps RenaSan first aid spray, suitable for all animals. It's antibacterial, and they've had very positive feedback.
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Post by moletteuk on May 9, 2016 13:50:08 GMT
Most vets use baytril first for degus, it's the only antibiotic actually licensed for them in UK. It's then a case of if they don't respond to baytril either trying a different antibiotic or doing a culture of infection and then checking which antibiotic is effective for that infection. Other choices used for degus are septrin and marbocyl, there are one or two others too. The dental issues are likely to be ongoing, so do be prepared for that. It sounds like he is generally quite run down, so his diet probably needs some attention, dental issues can also somtimes be slowed down if plenty of forage and a high calcium diet is fed, you can feed nuts and oil seeds to try to build him up a bit. Have a look at our beginners' guide and feeding guide for more info deguworld.proboards.com/thread/19754/beginners-guide-degu-keepingdeguworld.proboards.com/thread/16425/degu-feeding-guide
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Post by voodookiten22 on May 9, 2016 14:01:18 GMT
I actually have him ganging a good amount of weight about 30 grams in 2 weeks. I use oxbow critical care , organic sweet potato or squash baby food and organic no sugar added no salt added almond or peanut butter. By alternating the flavors he hasn't gotten board with it and eats it very well. His weight is up to about 143 grams now. He is eating his food but, I'm still supplementing his with 2 or 3 small hand feedings a day. I have been using the saline spray and it works very well. the abcess that ruptured was quite large. I am still having to keep it open and flush it 2 times daily.
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Post by deguconvert on May 9, 2016 14:05:32 GMT
That sounds like he is gaining ground! I'm glad for him and for you!!
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Post by animalmadchloe on May 9, 2016 21:37:13 GMT
Well done you for helping the little guy out!! Not many people would do that for a small animal!
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Post by voodookiten22 on May 12, 2016 3:11:45 GMT
Update! Kuppa seems to be on the mend! His weight was up to 150g today! His abcess ruptured Sunday but with the baytril and cleaning 2× a day with an iodine saline dilution. It looks to be healing nicely! In the picture his was snoozing a little during after feeding snuggles!
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Post by yasmin on May 12, 2016 4:00:17 GMT
So happy he is doing better. Looks like he is in good hands.
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Post by bouncy on May 12, 2016 7:52:03 GMT
Well done! He's looking a lot better!
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Post by voodookiten22 on May 25, 2016 16:27:33 GMT
Kuppa update! There is no sign of the abcess returning! It had completely healed! His leg is healing beautifully! We had our last dose of baytril last night. And he is eating like a little monster! (Which is a releif considering his prior state) dandelions are his favorite! are up to 172 grams!!! And very very active even on our nub leg! He is still living in a 10 gallon hospital tank on towels (vets advice) until his nub covers over with skin and not scab. The whole treatment only had one hitch, when kuppa self removed his sutures 2 1/2 weeks post op. (He couldn't wear the cone of shame due to the abcess on his chin). But he seamed to have waited long enough for it to get a good jump on healing! Thank you guys so much for your support and advice.
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Post by bouncy on May 25, 2016 18:53:34 GMT
Excellent news! I'm trying to picture a goo wearing a cone of shame now
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