|
Post by Emziedee on Dec 1, 2016 15:46:08 GMT
Can anyone recommend a good reasonably priced vet in London please? Some which have had successful experience with sedating and removing Spurs?
Also does anyone have degu pet insurance? I have just been looking at a quote for 2 degus, 10x payments of £28.50 covers £2000 vet bills on exoticdirect.co.uk
Doesn't stipulate any conditions regarding illness prior to policy being taken out though.
Just had the vet give me a break down on the costs and somehow it's now been bumped up to being £350 minimum £450 maximum. I really can't afford to spend this right now so any advice/recommendations would be greatly appreciated!
|
|
|
Post by moletteuk on Dec 1, 2016 16:31:42 GMT
People don't normally take out insurance for degus, it's not normally economic. That sounds pretty extortionate, what practice is that with? Is it CJ Hall? They are excellent but very expensive. We have one other recommendation in the vet thread for London for Beaumont Sainsbury Animal Hospital deguworld.proboards.com/thread/15521/vet-guide?page=1
|
|
|
Post by Emziedee on Dec 1, 2016 16:33:06 GMT
That's the one moletteuk, it's the Beaumont
|
|
|
Post by moletteuk on Dec 1, 2016 16:52:56 GMT
Oh, that's a shame if that's the cheaper recommended place!
I've found a couple of posts with recommendations on a haster forum I used to frequent that might be worth a phone call:
"I've used Medivets in North London (Hendon) a couple of times. Pricey but pretty good with a 24 hour service. I asked for one of the partners, Richard Leonard, to see my hamster. He was very gentle with Teddy and Teddy was well behaved, so I think Richard is extremely experienced and has a calm manner with animals. I also understand from Sue at Tuftyfluff breeders that (and I think it's) Alan Hirschowitz is good in their Radlett practice (South Herts)."
"Another one in NW London - Jeremy Carr at Medivet - Hampstead Garden Suburb. Treated my Syrian Teddy recently - nice chap and kept hamsters as a kid. Always good to hear."
|
|
|
Post by Emziedee on Dec 1, 2016 16:56:47 GMT
Thanks moletteuk. I'm going to have to phone around. We've moved the appt to Saturday to get some second opinions first.
We've contacted the farm and they have said he may be able to be treated at their vet there. Not sure I trust them though as she said if it's too much they would just suggest putting him to sleep.
They have finally got back to me about his diet now and have said he ate hay. Only hay. Which is strange as that's the only thing he doesn't eat here!
|
|
|
Post by Emziedee on Dec 1, 2016 16:58:24 GMT
I've now started to notice him dropping harder foods and he's not eating his pellets anymore. When I first got him he cleared the pellet bowl a couple of times. I don't understand how this has all happened and am starting to think it's when the incisor broke?
|
|
|
Post by moletteuk on Dec 1, 2016 17:00:50 GMT
|
|
|
Post by moletteuk on Dec 1, 2016 17:02:30 GMT
Degus will sometimes go mad for a new food and then quickly get sick of it, so that could easily be the case with the pellets. Try not to panic!
|
|
|
Post by Emziedee on Dec 1, 2016 17:41:03 GMT
Going pets at home now to get different hay. He's eating some soggy pets at home pellets, fresh carrots with Brazil nut shavings sprinkled on and some oats from what I've witnessed. All around him he has Vesele laga degu nature, dried dandelion leaf mix, dried thistle and birch, some seeds, apple tree twigs, rose petals, the pets at home pellets, organic hay, Timothy hay cookies and dandelion roots and nettle.
He has a selection but I'm going to expand just in case.
I have some ratrations seed mix, treat mix and their degu pellet food on way too. With some dried spinach and dried beetroot.
What else should I grab now at pets at home or from a fresh veg isle?
|
|
|
Post by Emziedee on Dec 1, 2016 17:41:25 GMT
He weighs 245 atm.
|
|
|
Post by deguconvert on Dec 1, 2016 18:11:46 GMT
Did you weigh him when you first brought him home? Has he lost weight do you think?
|
|
|
Post by Emziedee on Dec 1, 2016 18:17:06 GMT
He doesn't look he's lost weight no. It's strange as he's the same weight Garf was when he was last at the vet and the woman said he was overweight! I'll be keeping an eye out now on it though
|
|
|
Post by Emziedee on Dec 1, 2016 20:30:13 GMT
Oh Garf loves his lava Xmas tree and Xmas wooden hanging toys bless him. So easily pleased that one.
I got Timothy hay and burgess marigold and dandelion, the latter seems to be Garfs preference. Tibbs has still ignored both hays at the moment but he's been nibbling alfalfa bales so that's something!
He's also enjoying chewing the Xmas hanging wood but hasn't touched the lava bridge yet or the dandelion and marigold wreath.
We are thinking of opting out of the X-rays for now and just having his molars checked inside and the top incisors trimmed to the same length. She said hopefully they'll then both wear down together.
|
|
|
Post by Emziedee on Dec 1, 2016 20:40:27 GMT
Ohhh it's good to see him eating dry pellets again! I put some brand new fresh ones in both their bowls and they're both chowing down! Excellent
|
|
|
Post by deguconvert on Dec 2, 2016 0:09:13 GMT
So glad to hear that!! Happy eating, Tibbs!
|
|
|
Post by moletteuk on Dec 2, 2016 10:49:24 GMT
Another little test you can do to check for root overgrowth issues is to sort of gently but firmly press down on the bridge of the nose at around or just above eye level, you might see a pain response if there is an issue.
The eating issues could easily be just part of him settling in and figuring out what he likes to eat.
|
|
|
Post by Emziedee on Dec 2, 2016 19:40:01 GMT
Yes moletteuk I've done this to his nose, he pushes my hand away in disgust lol not sure how to interpret that!
|
|
|
Post by Emziedee on Dec 2, 2016 19:43:15 GMT
The lumpy jaw is worrying to feel though after being use to Garfs smooth jawline.
He behaves like he's starved though, any rustle of paper and he jumps up into my arms into whatever I'm holding and has a good old nose. Makes me worry that he's hungry and not eating enough but I'm always seeing him nibbling something, albeit very slowly.
|
|
|
Post by deguconvert on Dec 2, 2016 21:00:06 GMT
Have you had the examination of his mouth? Perhaps he is just REALLY thrilled with all the new options he has in your home that he never had the pleasure of when he was only eating hay every day. I mean, the menu includes TONS more stuff than it did before!
|
|
|
Post by Emziedee on Dec 5, 2016 22:29:59 GMT
I think you are right DC, he is eating very well just bits of everything! We didn't get him sedated and X-rayed yet as he seems to be doing very well but he's getting booked into tomorrow to get the front two snipped because I see it growing back wonky again.
I think he'll be ok though as I pushed down on the sinus and he didn't really react. When he's under getting the teeth trimmed she'll have a look at the back molars and if she thinks X Ray's are definitely needed at this point, we've given her the go ahead to do it then as he'll be under anyway.
He just seems happy and healthy and looking great now he's running on a wheel and learned to bathe in sand now!
|
|