|
Post by savvy on Nov 22, 2016 21:37:17 GMT
I'm not sure if this has been asked before, but can the weather affect a degu?
I know that cats get headaches when the atmospheric pressure is high, such as during a storm and I was wondering if degus have a similar problem.
Pixie has been off since Storm Angus arrived. He is eating normally, his fur is nice and smooth (and shiney), but he is moving slowly and sleeping a LOT.
I'm booking him into the vet tomorrow to make sure its nothing serious, but he seems very lacking in energy.
Has anyone else experienced this? He is about 5 years old now.
|
|
|
Post by yasmin on Nov 23, 2016 4:09:30 GMT
Good that he is eating normally and that he looks okay. It is also good that you are taking him to a vet to have him checked out – if it is something serious, it is better to catch it while he is still eating. There is a chance that it is just the weather. I get weather-related sinus headaches; it is possible that degus do too. However, if they do, then they may have a sinus blockage caused by overgrown roots. Then again, it is also possible that Pixie is just getting old and slowing down a bit. I hope it is the latter.
Good luck at the vet – please keep us informed.
|
|
|
Post by deguconvert on Nov 23, 2016 4:37:45 GMT
I'll be watching to see what comes of your vet visit. I hope he perks up and nothing recurs!
|
|
|
Post by savvy on Nov 23, 2016 9:57:59 GMT
Since I telephoned the vet this morning, Pixie heard me, he was in the same room, he has perked up and is more like his old self. Strange that!
But he's not getting out of it, he's still going to get checked over. Just to make sure.
|
|
|
Post by bouncy on Nov 23, 2016 9:58:06 GMT
Mine have reactions to changes, I'm sure. Ironically, I'm currently taking part in a study that's trying to establish a link between the weather and pain.
|
|
|
Post by savvy on Nov 23, 2016 10:28:46 GMT
Would be interested to read that when the report is published.
|
|
|
Post by savvy on Nov 23, 2016 13:01:27 GMT
Just back from the vets, it looks as if Pixie took a tumble during the storm, and has injured himself a little. He's now on anti inflams for a couple of days, literally one dose a day.
He's a lot brighter now but wouldn't let the vet handle him. He has a cataract in his right eye which is affecting his sight and that's probably how he tumbled. Otherwise he is fine.
|
|
|
Post by savvy on Nov 23, 2016 18:01:18 GMT
Getting quite worried about him now, he's alternating between the snugglesafe and the floor, but isn't touching and food or water. I've moved his bottle to next to him, but all he wants to do is sleep.
I'm hoping that this is just over excersion from his trip to the vets. He isn't fluffed up, but I unless there's some improvement tonight, he may have to go back to the vet tomorrow.
Any thoughts would be appreciated.
|
|
|
Post by ntg on Nov 23, 2016 22:52:54 GMT
Sorry savvy, I only just saw this. Have you tried his favourite treats or maybe some oats to see if he'll eat them? Perhaps even some hay/forage right next to him that he can pick at if he feels like it. If he hasn't perked up tomorrow morning then I'd get some critical care from the vets and see if that works to start him up again. An appointment isn't necessary for critical care but you'll need to outweigh the stress of him going against the benefits as it sounds like the last trip was probably quite stressful for him.
|
|
|
Post by savvy on Nov 23, 2016 23:19:59 GMT
Thanks ntg. He had half a peanut earlier and I have moved everything he needs to the top level where he seems to be staying, he has water, forage, the now cold snugglesafe and his food within easy reach. He was quite active in the vets but hated being handled, so I think it was quite stressful.
Not to mention the dozy woman who insisted her dog came over to say hello to him because he wanted to! Luckily he kept his distance.
I'm trying to keep everything as quiet as possible for him so he can rest, but Dixie keeps insisting on dragging pieces of wood along the bars of his cage. He has been up and down the ramps a bit, but he is struggling on them.
The vet said it didn't look like an infection and the cataract didn't seem to be diabetes related as it was only in one eye so possibly genetic. He still isn't fluffed up, just sleepy so I'm hoping that he'll sleep the worst of it off.
|
|
|
Post by ntg on Nov 23, 2016 23:50:33 GMT
It can certainly be difficult for them when they're unwillingly being handled.
The fact that he's eaten something is positive though, hopefully you'll see him eating more and becoming a bit more active.
|
|
|
Post by savvy on Nov 24, 2016 11:05:57 GMT
Pixie is in hospital.
I had to take him back to the vets this morning and they have kept him in for the day.
I just want my little guy back and well.
|
|
|
Post by ntg on Nov 24, 2016 13:55:10 GMT
Oh no, I hope Pixie recovers quickly and you get some good news this afternoon.
I'll be rooting for him!
|
|
|
Post by deguconvert on Nov 24, 2016 15:07:32 GMT
OH NO! I hope he is doing OK!! Have you heard anything from the vet at this point?
|
|
|
Post by savvy on Nov 24, 2016 15:17:34 GMT
Just spoken to the receptionist who liaised with the nurse. He has had some fluids but they had to give him an anaesthetic and he's just coming around from that. She said he's responding as they thought he would, but is still a little dosy from the gas.
The vet is currently in surgery but should be ringing back later to tell me whats going on.
Dixie keeps squeaking for him and can't understand why he isn't getting an answer.
|
|
|
Post by savvy on Nov 24, 2016 16:49:20 GMT
Just spoken to the vet. They don't know whats wrong and have given him a 5% chance if survival. Its not enough!
I'm going to see if I can hold him one last time before I bring him home.
My poor little guy!
|
|
|
Post by ntg on Nov 24, 2016 17:07:26 GMT
Oh no, I'm so sorry savvycat. I hope he holds on long enough for you to give him that last bit of affection and comfort.
|
|
|
Post by savvy on Nov 24, 2016 18:57:19 GMT
He's at home now, the vet has made him as comfortable as possible and he's had some liquid food. I didn't want him dying at the vet thinking he had been abandoned so he's tucked up for one last night at home in his bed. If there's no improvement overnight then there will be no other choice. At the moment they don't know how much of the lethargy is being caused by the drugs he's had.
It will give Dixie and Dibble a chance to also say goodbye to him.
|
|
|
Post by deguconvert on Nov 24, 2016 20:42:03 GMT
I'm so shocked! I was expecting a very different result.
|
|
|
Post by yasmin on Nov 25, 2016 2:26:11 GMT
Oh no It could be a reaction to the anti-inflammatory. (What kind was it? How much did he get?) Why did they anethesize him – what were they checking for? I think there is still hope ... so I am hoping to hear that his condition has improved in the morning.
|
|