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Post by julia123 on May 23, 2016 20:18:14 GMT
Anyone online?
One of my degus, George is unwell :-( He is sitting hunched and shaking. Not interested in food. I'm in the UK and its 21.16 so vets is out of hours. I'm not sure if I can find an exotic thats on OOH but will call round. He started with cataracts a few months ago and has lost weight, think him and his brother are around 7 or 8.
Any advice please?
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Post by savvy on May 23, 2016 20:48:08 GMT
I'd either wrap him to keep him warm or put some form of heat pad in the cage. It may not sound much, but the extra warmth may make him feel a little more comfortable.
Do you have a regular vet who he sees?
Where in the UK are you? We do have a vets guide on here which may help.
Sorry I can't be more help at the moment.
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Post by Bexi87 on May 23, 2016 21:15:45 GMT
Can you get anything like baby food that you can try him with? Peanut butter? Just something that he can try and take.
Does he have any injuries? Are there any signs of fighting?
I'd think about phoning a few local vets and trying to find one that can see him.
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Post by bouncy on May 23, 2016 21:34:56 GMT
Ditto on your location and keeping him warm. Could he have reached anything through the bars that he shouldn't have? Is he still pooing?
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Post by julia123 on May 24, 2016 0:18:36 GMT
He's gone :-( :-( We went to Manor with the intention of having him admitted so he could be seen my exotics Molly varga in the morning. By the time we got there he had shut down, could barely stand and was urinating on himself :-( his resps and heart rate were so fast he was struggling so much :-( The vet said she could try fluids and pain relief but she didnt think he would make it through the night. I couldn't let him suffer in a strange place all night :-( he was clearly in pain.
Ive put them both back in their cage and his brother Gilbert has been trying to talk to him and lying with him. Its breaking my heart :-(
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Post by Bexi87 on May 24, 2016 7:04:18 GMT
I'm so sorry  |
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Post by bouncy on May 24, 2016 7:18:28 GMT
I had my fingers crossed for a better outcome I'm so sorry. He was clearly loved, and has left a big hole for you and Gilbert. |
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Post by julia123 on May 24, 2016 13:52:09 GMT
Thank you :-( I'm totally gutted
I have taken him to the crematorium today :-( His partner Gilbet seems really quiet, what can I do to help him?
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Post by bouncy on May 24, 2016 14:46:58 GMT
Long-term, I think will need to decide whether you want to go through introductions. In the meantime, he needs to grieve. Have you got a soft toy that he could snuggle up to? Think he might also appreciate being spoilt with treats too  |
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Post by julia123 on May 24, 2016 15:21:14 GMT
I don't, I can't, I am really struggling at the moment with 3 terminally ill bunnies and a dog, on top of 2 further elderly bunnies, 2 young bunnies and another elderly dog. Plus my Dad died 8 weeks ago and I'm still struggling with that in every way... Its his 17 year old dog who is ill, has kidney disease amongst other things.
Yes I can get him a soft toy, I do that for my single elderly bun Ben, I was just worried he might chew it and get a blockage. He's hiding at the moment, he is not handleable, him and George came from a rescue at about 4 years old after a bad life. I never forced myself on them, just let them get on with their degus life together in their giant 4 storey cage. But now I'm aware I cant do that I need to help him. Not sure he would accept my company but I will try gradually.
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Post by deguconvert on May 24, 2016 18:54:21 GMT
It could take him some time . . . but if you are gentle and slow moving, soft in voice, and offering treats like walnut, pecan, almond, peanut, plain porridge oats, or such things, he will begin to see you as a potential companion and will begin to be more receptive to you. Some form of warmth in his cage will also be welcome to him.
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Post by deguconvert on May 24, 2016 19:22:19 GMT
Julia, I just want to say how very sorry I am for the recent loss of your Dad, and how the grief of that has been compounded by the illness of so many animals, including your Dad's beloved dog, and now the loss of George. Your days must feel very dark and difficult to navigate right now. I wish I were near to you so that I could help in some way. To even just be silently present and supportive, lending a helping hand where possible. Do you have anyone to help you, family member, friends, Church? I will be praying.
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Post by animalmadchloe on May 25, 2016 8:11:51 GMT
I don't, I can't, I am really struggling at the moment with 3 terminally ill bunnies and a dog, on top of 2 further elderly bunnies, 2 young bunnies and another elderly dog. Plus my Dad died 8 weeks ago and I'm still struggling with that in every way... Its his 17 year old dog who is ill, has kidney disease amongst other things. Yes I can get him a soft toy, I do that for my single elderly bun Ben, I was just worried he might chew it and get a blockage. He's hiding at the moment, he is not handleable, him and George came from a rescue at about 4 years old after a bad life. I never forced myself on them, just let them get on with their degus life together in their giant 4 storey cage. But now I'm aware I cant do that I need to help him. Not sure he would accept my company but I will try gradually. If your worried about the stuffing just remove it all and stuff with an old shredded teatowel or old pjymas u used old fleece pjymas to stuff an old fleecy mouse toy. Went down a treat! Xx sorry for your loss xx |
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Post by julia123 on May 25, 2016 10:58:37 GMT
Thank you guys for your kind words and support, means a lot! In particular Degusconvert, so kind, I have some very supportive friends. We lost Mum just over 6 years ago too. Yes days are very dark and difficult sometimes and the anxiety is constant, but I am just about coping. I just cant take on any more or it will send me under.I adopted quite a few bunnies in a short period of time and they have of course got old together and with that comes health issues.So long as I keep my animals happy then I can cope.
I like the idea of taking the stuffing out and filling it with safe bedding or hay, thank you!
The crematorium dropped Georges ashes back this morning, that was really kind of them. I took him in yesterday, it was a beautiful place in the woodlands with peacocks and ducks in immaculate surroundings, wild bunnies were grazing the lawn and swifts building nests.
Gilbert has a very large 4 storey cage (X trail in think it is) in my spare bedroom, my 12 year old bun is in there too. I work from home and a friend suggested maybe getting a smaller cage for my office downstairs so he can have company during the day. What do you think?
Gilbert has taken a few tiny bits of fenugreek from me and a nice strand of timmy hay and seems more interested in me than usual, he even let me stroke him briefly. I will get him some nuts and a soft toy. I have snuggle safes but I didnt know if they would be too warm for him? Maybe if I heat one for half the time?
I didnt used to let them out, restrictions on space and having dogs. But now he is on his own I'm trying to think how I can give him more stimulation, the second cage downstairs is one idea and I wondered about having time out with him in my bathroom, with blankets down. Would need to check for gaps round the bath panel first. He did seem to want to come out last night.
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Post by moletteuk on May 25, 2016 10:59:27 GMT
I'm very sorry for your losses including your dad and also your difficulties with poorly pets at the moment. You must feel weighed down and under seige.
I agree that some warmth, a safe soft toy, making sure he is eating OK and offering some extra of his favourites might help Gilbert and any of your time that you kind find spare. Give him (and yourself) a good month or so and then reassess how things are going, wether his behaviour is getting back to normal or not.
Cross post:
He will love a snugglesafe, 3 minutes with a fleecy cover on should be fine for him.
I don't think I would try the extra cage and bringing him downstairs right now, but it could be an idea to try in the future. I think he will be feeling worried and insecure just now, so moving him would probably worsen this. Once he settles down and his grieving lessens and perhaps loneliness increases you could try it then. Does he take any interest in the rabbits? I'm just wondering if he could live within sight of them perhaps right next door, it could be worth a try?
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Post by bouncy on May 25, 2016 18:47:55 GMT
Oh Julie, you're going through so much on all fronts at the moment. You don't need to do anything right now, except look after yourself, and allow some time to grieve and go through all it will entail. Gilbert will have to adapt to the loss ofnhis of his brother too, and animals are smart - they are amazing at picking up on human emotions and sounds like he's already offering you some comfort. Now is not the time to make decisions. When both of you are stronger, you'll know what's right  |
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Post by yasmin on May 26, 2016 2:09:01 GMT
My heart goes out to you.  |
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Post by julia123 on May 26, 2016 21:28:29 GMT
Thank you all so much. Yes its all very hard right now, but Gilbert seems to be doing just fine, I've given him a soft toy, I took the bean bag out of the body and stuffed it with safe bedding. He isn't interested at the moment but I've left it in there. I've turned his wheel round so he can see when go in, and he always stops and has a nosey. He's taken some small pieces of fenugreek crunchie by walking a little onto my hand. He is smart indeed and seems to look at me as if to say, "its ok, George has gone and I know you mean well and I'm interested but I'd rather just play on my wheel for now thanks"
I'm just off outside to do final bunny checks, forage and last round of meds so I will bring a snuggle safe in for him.
He can see Ben bunny from his cage, Ben is in a 6ft x 6ft pen and Gilberts cage is on a table by the side so he can see down. Ben doesnt do very much though bless him, so not much entertainment for Gilbert. Ben just comes out for his food and meds then goes back in his tub tube to sleep. He's 12 and blind with arthritis.
My 10 year old bun is not well at the moment, so that's a worry, he saw the vet last Thurs for his vacc so he may still be feeling run down. Spoke to the vet today and we've put a pain management plan in place (he is blind with arthritis too). He lives with his 9 year old partner.
I have a bun with a thymoma (cancer in his chest) and his partner has chronic sore hocks from spinal issues and heart disease that inhibit her activity.
Every morning I wake with anxiety not knowing what I am going to find :-( I am coping OK with losing Dad.... he is with my Mum now. I miss them both so very much though :-(
I'm rambling.... sorry. You have all been so kind. I think Gilbert is going to be ok on his own, he is a feisty monkey always has been. You can see on my profile pic - he is the one leaning on George!
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Post by Bexi87 on May 26, 2016 22:07:02 GMT
Oh Julia, I can't even imagine how tough things are for you but I'm sure all your animals know just how loved they are. I'm glad Gilbert is doing okay after the loss of George  Sending lots of hugs to you and your furries! |
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Post by savvy on May 27, 2016 7:45:04 GMT
If you need to ramble, then ramble. It does help just to get some of it off your chest.
You are doing your very best in some very trying times and no one can ask more of you than that.
Pets are masters of picking up on how we are feeling so I am sure that they are all in there to ruting for you too. And they will be grateful for everything you are doing to help them.
Try to stay strong, I knowits hard, but you can get through this.
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