Degu very ill

[Emziedee]

Could anyone go in their history and see if the image is still there in cookies?

[winic1]

Many vets here stick to the basics, like dogs and cats, and don't see the "exotics" like ferrets and birds and even guinea pigs and hamsters, those are seen by someone who specializes in exotics, or specifically an avian vet for birds (who won't see other animals). Degus are very rare here, so a general vet wouldn't even know what you were talking about. When we had our hedgehog and brought it into the vet's office to see the one vet they had who did do exotics, the entire office came in to see the hedgehog, they'd never had one in before, and hedgehogs are much more common than degus are, here.

Also, once when we had a cat who was horribly sick with some respiratory/stomach virus, we had called the vet, they asked why and we told them what was going on, and they said, "DO NOT BRING THAT CAT INTO OUR OFFICE!" because they knew what was going around, and didn't want the office contaminated with the infection. So, maybe also this person's vet didn't want mange or whatever the problem is, brought in where it could infect others? Possibility, I suppose.

But seriously, your pet is that sick and hurting, you find a way, keep calling and work out a payment deal, or skip the dang Christmas presents. Poor little thing.

[Emziedee]

peytonamberr Hi Amber I'm sorry that you've deleted your post, I know you're doing your best to get some advice for your friend. Please come back here and get some more advice for her, it's the second best place you can be to help the little guy - a vets being the first X

[Deleted]

I definitely agree peytonamberr we are all a lovely bunch of animal crazy people! We were all just a little startled by the image. If she really can't get her to a vet, the people here are the next best thing! Please come back.

[moletteuk]

I would also like to reassure you, peytonamberr, that there is no judgement on you or your friend, and that we understand that you are in an extremely difficult situation if it isn't your degu and your friend is finding it very difficult to find a vet.

On the forum we are occasionally a little overwhelmed by feelings of shock and helplessness and sometimes we are duty bound to refer someone to try again with a vet, I'm sorry if this wasn't very helpful to you.

I forgot to mention painkillers yesterday. A fairly high dose of metacam may buy the degu some time for some antibiotics or mite treatment or other treatment to kick in. The normal starting dose is one drop of cat strength (0.5mg/ml) once a day, but it is possible to give up to 3 drops twice a day. If you are in USA I believe it is possible to buy ivermectin mite treatment over the counter too.


If you feel that treatment is not possible, then most vets will agree to put an animal to sleep, we recommend that you ask for gas anaesthetic before the injection is given.

We wish you and this degu well, if you feel able to come back you will be treated courteously.

[animalmadchloe]

I think I've missed something awful here! reading all the posts made my stomach churn was there any response? Was the degu OK?

[deguconvert]

We don't know, but are really hoping to hear again from her.