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Post by bouncy on Jun 1, 2016 8:13:50 GMT
We all know slow and steady is the best way to lose weight effectively, and it all adds up
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Post by uglibug on Jun 3, 2016 16:14:04 GMT
Had a catch up chat with the vet today. We are going to try upping the dose to two drops in a morning and see if he improves any more, we are obviously dealing with a pain problem so in theory he should be getting bouncier as we increase the pain relief. If it makes no real difference then we can go back to one drop.
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Post by bouncy on Jun 3, 2016 17:00:41 GMT
As a reference point, John Chitty put Scaredy onto 0.1 ml of the DOG solution, twice a day (that's 0.3 of the cat solution). It sounds like a lot, but he has really improved. The vet isn't worried about kidney problems as they say, providing eating and drinking stays normal, it's only an issue if they have underlying kidney issues to begin with?
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Post by moletteuk on Jun 4, 2016 10:49:52 GMT
You guys should have a read of this thread where Maravilla checked with her vet and the german literature for long term metacam doses: deguworld.proboards.com/thread/18068/limping-deguGoing from that, Uglibug, I think two drops is definitely worth trying. bouncy, I think I would be quite concerned at a twice daily dose of 0.3ml equivalent of cat strength, that works out at 12 times the recommended maintenance dose! Particularly as Scaredy isn't particularly old, I think I would go back to the vet or the specialist and inquire more about possible kidney damage, I suspect it could cause damage. I know you started off with a much lower dose, did you experiment much in between the standard dose and the big dose?
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Post by bouncy on Jun 4, 2016 11:19:42 GMT
That's exactly what I did do! I googled, read as much as I could, questioned and requestioned the vet. I was shocked by the effective 6x increase. John Chitty apparently travels the world giving lectures on exotics, and done a lot of testing on dosage.
I always give him a root with the dose. I gave a week of the twice daily dose to give a kick-start on the pain and inflammation, then moved to one dose in the evening. Most of Scaredygoo's drinking is done in the evening after his runabout, so I time it with this so his kidneys get a good flush.
I've tried reducing the dose, and even stopped whilst I was away in Cyprus, but he's definitely gone downhill a bit over the last week, so I've put him back on one dose.
I haven't got a clue how old he is, but I hate watching him struggling to reach and climb like the others, and the pain was bad enough on Tuesday night for Spidey to not let him out of the cage for a run.
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Post by uglibug on Jun 5, 2016 9:19:19 GMT
We had happy warbles this morning! That's the first time he's done that in ages! Go Mater!
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Post by bouncy on Jun 5, 2016 13:19:57 GMT
Excellent news! It's surprising what a small change can make
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Post by uglibug on Jun 5, 2016 19:48:39 GMT
Over the weekend he's also worked out what the saucer is for and taken a walk on it a couple of times. I just hope this new found enthusiasm doesn't result in another session of dominance fighting, Mater my friend, you are just too old!!
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Post by Bexi87 on Jun 5, 2016 19:53:55 GMT
Go Mater! Good lad
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Post by bouncy on Jun 5, 2016 22:06:04 GMT
Flying saucer? His inner pup is shining through!
Spent the last few days in bed, but can clearly hear Scaredygoo's gait in the wheel from my bed. I keep wanting to imitate my mum and shout "pick your feet up!" lol
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Post by moletteuk on Jun 6, 2016 9:57:24 GMT
Woop! What a great result! Is it a good or a bad sign when we can identify which degu is wheeling/ saucering without looking lol?! I can always tell Flossie as she does a sedate trot compared to Alice. This has got me thinking about how common and significant arthritis and other musculoskeletal issues might be in degus with them living so long. bouncy that all sounds reassuring, the 6x dose sounds less concerning than the twice a day dose, and giving the dose in the evening to coincide with max drinking and presumably max activity is a great idea. When it makes such a difference to his quality of life I suppose it makes the decision easy.
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Post by bouncy on Jun 6, 2016 10:07:39 GMT
It's 6x in total. Part of the reason they suggested breaking into two doses is because goos have a higher metabolism? Though, as long as I have a happy Scaredy who now has dust baths, it's worth it
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Post by moletteuk on Jun 7, 2016 16:49:55 GMT
I honestly don't know about the once vs twice a day for metacam and whether degus have a faster metabolism than other small furries. It does seem quite unusual for a painkiller to be so long lasting. ... I just found this: www.rxlist.com/mobic-drug/clinical-pharmacology.htmIt seems it does have a long half life and a single daily dose should produce a steady level in the body after 5 days. I suspect the twice daily dose will allow it to be excreted more safely rather than providing a steadier dose.
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Post by bouncy on Jun 7, 2016 17:59:20 GMT
Ah, I was referring to the difference between cat/dogs and small furries. Note to self: no posting when my head's not working properly lol
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Post by uglibug on Jul 2, 2016 21:16:18 GMT
Just a quick update, Mater has lost a whole 5 grams this month!! Not much but every little helps old boy.
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Post by bouncy on Jul 2, 2016 21:38:57 GMT
Slowly does it
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Post by Bexi87 on Jul 3, 2016 8:56:03 GMT
Good boy Mater! I think 5g is brilliant considering he's an old boy and won't be as active
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