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Post by bouncy on Feb 1, 2017 17:22:39 GMT
Oh hun, I wish I hadn't asked now! Very basically, it sounds like it was cancerous, and has probably already spread and will likely come back. I'm sure some of our scientists on here will come on to correct me, though I know it's not great news, but it's important that we find the positive in everything. You know what's wrong. Had the growth been internal, you might never have known. Now, you can manage her more effectively, recognising when you need to help her, give metacam, etc, and when she's had enough. Enjoy every moment you have with her (and who knows, it could be ages!), and remember that we're here with help and support
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Post by deguconvert on Feb 1, 2017 18:08:54 GMT
I am so sorry as well! It isn't great news, and I know that will weigh on you. Something that I see as a plus here is the fact that now you know it is present. There have been a number of different occasions when people have posted about the death of a degu that came unexpectedly. The degu may have looked to be faltering, but still living life in a pretty normal manner. The degu may even have been seen by the vet, once or several times, but still no conclusions as to the trouble. In your case, you will know, and it will hurt, but you have now the means to give her all the help you can, which means that with the metacam you can help to control pain and discomfort, and you can tweak her foods to help her as well. Keeping her weight good will be important. You don't want to feed the cancerous growth with lots of carbohydrates, which cancers seem to like. (We are currently supporting my Mum as she fights metastatic breast cancer in her lung. They use something called a P.E.T. scan to see what areas are metabolically active, which helps to identify actively growing cancers, because cancer builds a crazy blood supply to feed itself and will hog the sugars released into the body from carbohydrates.) So, I would give her very little, if any at all, of oats and other cereal seeds, but lots of vegetable and oil seeds. These will have good nutrition for all her body, will be easy to eat and to assimilate, but will not be casting lots of sugars for the cancer to use.
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sophialeila
Foraging Degu
RIP ** pip&pepper ** *RIP Bear*
Posts: 80
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Post by sophialeila on Feb 1, 2017 18:10:17 GMT
Thank you guys!! Really wanting her wound to heal up soon as, so I can put the pair back and have them enjoying being with each other 24/7 again. It just feels sad knowing that the tumour is likely to reappear and has spread across her I really hope it doesn't re appear if it is gonna come bk, for ages and I hope she's still got at least a year or 2 of her life left! 😩💕
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Post by goolover on Feb 1, 2017 18:17:37 GMT
So sorry for your news sophialeila x I know how you must be feeling but lets think positive here. You have made her as comfortable as she can be regarding the lump so hopefully and as she is eating and appearing in good spirits you can take this as a good thing. Sure she might have slight irritation from it but she seems to be ok with this. As other members have said, she may surprise you and still have a long life ahead of her. Good job on getting her to the vets and getting the diagnosis so quick. She is very lucky to have you watching out for her, have my fingers crossed for you and your girl. I know how important it is to have this site to come to in times like this for advice and support. We are all here for you x
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Post by moletteuk on Feb 1, 2017 20:31:23 GMT
I'm very sorry it's not better news. Was there anything in particular in the report you wanted a hand with translating? They think it's a certain type of malignant tumour but they say it may be another kind. I think even though tumours are very common in rats, they aren't so common in degus, so let's keep an open mind on how her body might handle it. They said those types of tumours often spread, but they haven't looked anywhere else in her, so we don't know it has spread. It did say there wasn't clear flesh all the way around the lump that was removed, so they can't confirm that all of it was removed. I think spoil her and let's hope for the best. How is the wound looking? I would be tempted to think that a week apart is enough for the wound to be too well healed for any fussing or picking to do much harm. Get them back together ASAP
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Post by savvy on Feb 1, 2017 20:42:52 GMT
Oh I am so sorry love, but at least you know what is was and it's been removed. It may come back, but it also may not. Try to keep positive.
If you had left it, or it had been somewhere hidden where it would never have been found, it would have been a lot worse.
She is still enjoying her life, focus on the positive. We are all here for you.
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Post by ntg on Feb 1, 2017 20:52:21 GMT
I'm sorry the news wasn't better Molette gave you a good, clear overview of the prognosis but if you need anything else clearing up at all then let us know! Tumours aren't my specialty but I do know where to look and how to dissect the information. Everyone has given you great advice, and I agree with savvy when she says stay positive! Cancers aren't that common in degus, and although they say they don't know if they got it all, there's still a chance that they might have gotten lucky! Best you can do is keep an eye out for her, including checking her pee regularly for signs of change and just spoiling her with love and a healthy but tasty degu diet! How does her wound look at the moment?
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Post by winic1 on Feb 1, 2017 20:53:47 GMT
So sorry that it's not good news. Even the alternative possibilities are not very good. So, yes, as the others said, manage her medicine to make her as comfy as possible, if needed. Feed her the very best you can to keep her weight up and healthy.
Go ahead and have a good cry over this news. have several. Then, you have to, HAVE to, stop looking at her as sick, stop looking at her as doomed.
Then, just love her and enjoy her. Whether it's one month, or a year, or several, just continue to enjoy her and let her know she's loved, for however much time you have together. Don't see the shadow hanging over her, just see her and let her be your lovely little goo as she always has.
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sophialeila
Foraging Degu
RIP ** pip&pepper ** *RIP Bear*
Posts: 80
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Post by sophialeila on Feb 1, 2017 22:25:18 GMT
Thanks everyone Slightly worried recently about pepper as she seems to be feeling and looking a little down, she was really hyper yesterday but today is looking the opposite.. she jus fell over a min ago too so hard to give her the pain relief and the antibiotics recently but I'm still trying. I have weighed her and she's 250g but she looks quite thin don't no if that's to do with the fact she's lost bit of her fur. Pip is 300g but pepper has always been around 250 and pip 300. Don't kno maybe pepper is jus feeling a little down and weak hence she fell over. Have been cuddling her a lot So what foods are probably best to feed her? I don't usually give them many nuts but my mum bought some monkey nuts I give her one of those but I'm guessing those are carbs so maybe not give her anymore? So what type of veg is good? Carrots? Peas?
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sophialeila
Foraging Degu
RIP ** pip&pepper ** *RIP Bear*
Posts: 80
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Post by sophialeila on Feb 1, 2017 22:26:55 GMT
Thank you for translating the report as well! I will get a few pics up of peppers wound when I get onto my laptop x
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sophialeila
Foraging Degu
RIP ** pip&pepper ** *RIP Bear*
Posts: 80
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Post by sophialeila on Feb 1, 2017 23:19:47 GMT
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Post by deguconvert on Feb 2, 2017 0:16:10 GMT
Are you able to probe the lumps? Are they squishy or more solid?
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Post by bouncy on Feb 2, 2017 0:28:37 GMT
That's a nicely healing wound and, as already mentioned, I wouldn't hesitate to put the girls back together.
I'm also a little concerned about those lumpy bits at the base of the scar - keep a close eye on them. IF the growth comes back, it looks like that's where it might be.
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Post by moletteuk on Feb 2, 2017 10:53:52 GMT
Has she had a post up check up with the vet?
Do a couple more supervised meets with Pip if that would make you feel more comfortable before you put them together all the time, it may be that Pip just wants to do a thorough investigation of Pepper's back and she may leave it alone after that.
I was just wondering about cancer fighting herbs, it's not something I know much about, but a quick search says that oregano might be beneficial and is certainly degu safe. Turmeric also comes up a lot in searches, but that might need some more thought and research, I wonder if it is possible to buy the raw tubers.
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Post by deguconvert on Feb 2, 2017 15:36:48 GMT
You can . . . well at least I have found them here . . . and they are wonderful in cooking. I tasted the raw tuber and it's kind of bitter, although the smell of the fresh turmeric is wonderful!! They look quite similar to ginger, but with a skin condition, LOL! Also much more slender and smaller. Not sure a degu would eat them.
I've seen some videos of people that use it for a face mask, and really like the way it works on their skin, so perhaps it could be used externally?
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Post by yasmin on Feb 5, 2017 4:21:43 GMT
How is she doing today? Any changes re: the lump on the right hand side?
I am very sorry to hear that the tumor is malignant. I hope that they did take it all out but, if not, that it progresses very, very slowly. Every good day that Pepper has is a beautiful day.
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sophialeila
Foraging Degu
RIP ** pip&pepper ** *RIP Bear*
Posts: 80
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Post by sophialeila on Feb 6, 2017 9:11:21 GMT
Hi guys sorry I haven't updated this sooner but peppers condition has just got worse, the lumps have got bigger on her back and a soft lump has appeared under her chest, and she's having difficulty breathing and has just been moving around really slowly, and sleeping a lot of the time, I'm just at the vets now and she's in oxygen at the minute, but it doesn't look good it really doesn't. I'm expecting the worse and I think this is probably going to be her last day I'm just so sad.
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Post by ntg on Feb 6, 2017 9:16:32 GMT
I'm so sorry sophialeila, you've done everything you can for Pepper and she is obviously a much loved part of your family. I'll be thinking of you and the little one today.
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sophialeila
Foraging Degu
RIP ** pip&pepper ** *RIP Bear*
Posts: 80
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Post by sophialeila on Feb 6, 2017 10:07:53 GMT
SHes gone I was jus sat there with the vet holding her and stroking her saying goodbyes. I just miss her so much already! She was such a little sweetheart The vet said that her liver got really inflamed, and the tumour spread all over her body, and obviously it's the kindest thing to do to put her to sleep as she's only gonna suffer further. Just me and pip now. Pip looks sad too
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Post by jolil1072 on Feb 6, 2017 10:59:51 GMT
So sorry. You did everything you could for her and when nothing more could be done you released her from her suffering. Thinking of you at this sad time.
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