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Post by yasmin on Aug 22, 2016 3:47:11 GMT
One of my degus, Rei (almost 5 years old, female), began making odd whimpering sounds Friday night and it has gotten to the point that she is making these noises practically all the time. I think the sound is similar to what her brother Roku was making when he was diagnosed with heart failure (he had to be put down shortly after). She is still eating and behaving normally otherwise. I will be taking her to the vet as soon as I can. Very worried about her – hoping it is something treatable like a respiratory issue.
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Post by Bexi87 on Aug 22, 2016 7:27:09 GMT
Fingers crossed its nothing serious Yasmin
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Post by bouncy on Aug 22, 2016 15:32:30 GMT
Oh Yasmin, you have been having a very bad run! I hope it's nothing more serious than her just wanting some more attention x
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Post by yasmin on Aug 22, 2016 16:23:55 GMT
She stopped eating last night (burying treats instead of eating them). Still not eating this morning. No more squeaking/chirping this morning but her breathing is very labored and coming from lower down (like Roku).
Went to the vet this a.m. (saw Dr. Clement – Dr. Auger is on holiday). Had X-rays done (didn't need anesthesia – Rei ran right into the sock-like tube they use to restrain degus, and stayed relatively still throughout the procedure). Rei has a lot of air in her intestines. Lungs don't look very good either. Breathing very labored. It is likely hopeless but we are to give he a drop of Ovol every hour for the next 3 hours and then call the vet with an update. First thing is to clear the gas (if possible).
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Post by moletteuk on Aug 22, 2016 16:55:46 GMT
Thinking of you and Rei x
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Post by deguconvert on Aug 22, 2016 19:05:12 GMT
Oh Yasmin!! I've sent a prayer package, receive it as other times.
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Post by deguconvert on Aug 23, 2016 3:42:38 GMT
How is Rei doing?
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Post by bouncy on Aug 23, 2016 8:16:16 GMT
I'm so sorry Yasmin, I have everything crossed for you xx
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Post by yasmin on Aug 23, 2016 15:16:50 GMT
Rei is trying to eat again. I think she is taking in some of what she nibbles, but she coughs afterwards. She seems also to have started sneezing a bit this morning (or is it coughing??? Not sure.) Her breathing is still labored and she still makes odd sounds as she breaths.
I am taking her back to the vet clinic this afternoon for a follow-up. I would like them to give her an antibiotic shot if they have it and if it is warranted, and also to give her another dose of the Ovol (my husband is off at meetings all day and Rei is not cooperative enough for me to do it on my own). I also want them to listen to her heart and lungs and, because I will be seeing a different vet again (Dr Ellison), I am curious to see how he/she interprets the x-ray.
(I think the next 48 hours are critical – there needs to be a substantial turnaround before Thursday.)
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Post by bouncy on Aug 23, 2016 17:35:16 GMT
You sound like you have the vet under control! Good luck!
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Post by Bexi87 on Aug 23, 2016 18:31:23 GMT
Everything crossed for you and Rei
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Post by deguconvert on Aug 23, 2016 19:10:12 GMT
Sent another package for you and Rei!
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Post by yasmin on Aug 24, 2016 2:18:06 GMT
Rei has been prescribed antibiotics. Her lungs are clear and her heartbeat is strong and regular. Her belly is not hard so likely most of the gas has dissipated. She is trying to eat, but does not take in much. She might be open-mouth breathing and coughs when eating.
Best case scenario is that she has a stuffed up nose. Worst case though is that there are molars growing into her nasal cavity. I did not ask for an x-ray to check for that because that would likely require anesthesia; I will wait for Dr. Auger (our regular vet) to be back from holiday next week if I decide to have that done. Then might as well have the whole mouth checked. Rei has not had dental issues yet (knock on wood).
Until then, we will treat with antibiotics.
Do you think I should also give her Metacam in case there is pain/swelling? It might make her gut sluggish but it might also help her feel better and maybe even reduce any swelling in her nasal cavity?
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Post by deguconvert on Aug 24, 2016 3:46:15 GMT
Hmmm, part of me wants to say it might be worth a try, while another part of me is kind of uncertain. I don't know what to think.
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Post by bouncy on Aug 24, 2016 6:29:13 GMT
My gut says yes, but in a day or two. See first if the antibiotics are having an effect. If they are, then you don't need to worry about masking anything. If they aren't, then you can relieve discomfort until Dr Auger comes back. Worth booking an appointment just in case?
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Post by yasmin on Aug 25, 2016 0:37:24 GMT
Well, after a lot of consideration, I decided to give her the Metacam along with the Baytril last night because she looked very miserable and I needed her to eat. This morning she seemed quite a bit better. Bright, alert, running the wheel. She was also eager for treats. Gave her Baytril and Ovol. She ate a few sunflower seeds, a few oats and drank water from a bowl, then started coughing and pawing at her face. She sneezed a couple of times. Then slept most of the day. Later, I gave her a small piece of carrot – she chewed on it but it looked like a lot of it ended up on the floor of the cage.
Now it is evening and she is still bright and alert. Again, she ate a couple of sunflower seeds and she also ate a very small piece of carrot, followed again by what looks like coughing (or a couple of hiccups?) But at least her eyes and demeanor look brighter. Tonight I will just give her the Baytril and see how she is in the morning. I think that if she is still looking okay and eating more tomorrow, then I can assume that the antibiotic is working. If she takes a step backward, then I will administer Metacam with her morning Baytril. She has to keep her weight up and her breathing needs to be as good as it can before any x-ray or molar work in order to minimize the risk of the anesthetic.
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Post by winic1 on Aug 25, 2016 2:29:19 GMT
This sounds promising, hope she keeps improving for you.
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Post by bouncy on Aug 25, 2016 6:38:36 GMT
Glad she's been showing some of her old self
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Post by Bexi87 on Aug 25, 2016 7:37:07 GMT
Oh I'm so happy she is doing okay. You are one heck of a degu nurse Yasmin - bloomin brilliant!
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Post by yasmin on Aug 26, 2016 22:19:37 GMT
Rei is stable. She is not eating her normal food but will eat fresh dandelion leaves, organic spinach/sweet potato/squash baby food, and a mixture I make by crushing up a pellet with a few sunflower seeds (and adding water to it and then presenting it to her on a spoon). She also eats the odd full sunflower seed and she will drink water from a syringe. Have not given her Metacam again but she is still getting Baytril twice daily and one drop of Ovol once daily.
Coughing after eating/drinking continues.
I have made an appointment on Monday with Dr. Auger to get her teeth checked – probably also going to request an Xray of her head to see if molar root(s) growing into her nasal cavity is the culprit.
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