I think my Degu has a cold, help

[kimi2309]

Hi, one of my Degu's is sneezing quite a bit and appears to have little swollen lumps in his throat. Think they are his glands. He is also making strange little rattly noises which seem to be coming from his mouth/throat 😞. He is still very happy and being his normal little noisy self. Also he still eating normally. Noticed yesterday that he seems to be worse when giving him attention. Think he is playing on it a little too. Naughty little boy! 😂

Not overly concerned because like I sad he is still happy and eating. I was just wondering if anybody knows what is best for him.

[deguconvert]

Degus are masters at covering their distress, pain, or illness. I think if you are hearing noises with his breathing, he is sneezing, and has little lumps in his throat, you need to take him to see your vet. It sounds like something that needs antibiotics, and the sooner you can start to treat it, the better the recovery. Respiratory infections can be very dangerous for degus and all rodents.

[kimi2309]

Yeah I will take him to the vet. Was just wondering if there was something I could do to make him comfortable and happy in the mean time

[moletteuk]

I agree, vet ASAP, these things can turn nasty very quickly, and this already sounds quite severe.

Watch out for his nose getting so blocked that he starts to breathe through his mouth - degus cannot safely mouth breathe, it causes them to take in air to their stomachs and this causes bloating and severe discomfort.

Putting him in a steamy atmosphere or using saline in a nebuliser (on the off chance that you have one) are the only things you can do at home to relieve respiratory symptoms.

If this has been an ongoing problem then there is possibility that it could be a dust irritation or allergy issue, or even be related to a dental issue.

[yasmin]

Welcome to the forum kimi2309.

Have you taken your deg to the vet yet? If so, did he/she take an X-ray? I think an X-ray may be warranted to check to see if molar roots are invading the nasal area or extending beyond his jaw.

[kimi2309]

Yeah I took him to the vets. She's didn't X-ray him but said if the antobiotics don't clear him up then she'll do an X-ray. Struggling to give him his medicine though as will not let me put the syringe in his mouth. Really worried that he isn't get enough of it. Do you have any experience in given any of your goos medicine. I don't want to ruin this bond we have by forcing him if possible. He is already not happy with me for taking him to the vets

[uglibug]

Try popping it on one or two of his favourite treats and letting him munch through them.

[kimi2309]

I have thought about that but it is 0.5 that I am given him which is too much top open a small treat.

[moletteuk]

Normal dose of 2.5% regular baytril is usually 0.03 to 0.1ml twice a day, so you might want to have a good look at the label and check with your vet if you have been given 0.5ml

If you do need to syringe feed it, they normally forgive you after treatment is finished, don't worry about that too much.

[bouncy]

If you're doing a burrito to give the meds, try the side of the mouth. You usually find that, even if they won't open the front of it, you can usually squeeze it into the corner.

[kimi2309]

Jul 15, 2016 15:10:55 GMT moletteuk said:

Normal dose of 2.5% regular baytril is usually 0.03 to 0.1ml twice a day, so you might want to have a good look at the label and check with your vet if you have been given 0.5ml

If you do need to syringe feed it, they normally forgive you after treatment is finished, don't worry about that too much.

Sorry the actual dose of baytril I have been told to give him is 0.18ml twice a day for a week (which is a diluted fomula). The vet told me to mix it with water again so it's upto 0.5ml on the syringe and feed it him that way.

I am trying him on some oats this morning

[kimi2309]

Gave him some porridge oats mixed with water and the baytril this morning and he loved that. So solved the issue of getting to take his medicine. Seems to be looking a little miserable though. Not sure if it's the medication making him a little drowsy or he is getting worse. Will have to monitor him for the next few days to see how he is going. If not getting better will have to take him for X-rays. Just worried that he isn't breathing too well he may struggle being sedated for an X-ray

[moletteuk]

This is always a dilemma, I can only say get in touch with the vet sooner rather than later if he really seems to be struggling. My feeling is that it is normally best to bite the bullet promptly and take the risk of the anaesthetic to find out what is really wrong. If you wait and hope for improvement you quite often end up with a steady decline instead.

[kimi2309]

He appears to be improving with his medication now I can get him to take it with porridge. He just seems to go quiet once it kicks in I am guessing it is making him drowsy. I am taking him back on Thursday for a check up to see what the vet thinks. The little lumps in his throat do not appear to be getting better but I know have a feeling these ain't his glands and actual teeth

[bouncy]

It makes sense that he's showing improvement now he's taking the meds consistently. I would get xrays done asap if you think the lumps are teeth.

[moletteuk]

You should be able to feel his jaw bone, that is where you would feel tooth bumps if the roots are overgrown.

[kimi2309]

They are defiantly hard bone feeling lumps which seem to be along his jaw line. Strange thing is they don't seem to be bothering him as eating normally and let's you touch them so can't be sore xx

[yasmin]

My girl Lilac lived with these for more than a year. She was on Metacam as needed, and also was given antibiotics when they would break through the skin or cause infections within her lower jaw.