|
Post by goolover on Jan 11, 2017 12:04:11 GMT
Hey guys,
Just wanted to post for advice and to share this problem as it may come in useful for other members if ever in a similar situation. Lula has been having a bad time recently with what we think and hope is a ear infection. I say hope as the more the days have went on she is'nt recovering and we are starting to think there's maybe more to it, though we hope not! She started off by twitching her ear constantly and having problems rolling when we gave her a bath. We got meds from vets before new year and gave her for a week and she seemed to be back to herself although still didn't roll in bath. Now, the last 10 days we have had to start meds again as her symptoms have returned but are worse. She is flicking her ear and tilting it, occasionally dragging her back legs and she cant jump or climb, she can walk but the power in her back legs just isn't there, avoiding the bath altogether and problems self grooming. When she pushes her bum out to wee she looks like she's twerking as she cant balance properly. Shes eating and drinking still as usual and getting additional recovery feed which we need to get the meds into her so no problems weight wise. Her fur isnt on end to indicate pain or feeling poorly and her eyes are bright. She's not a active goo although she enjoys running after Joey when he teases her but even doing that I can tell she's trying not to move as much. We know its because of her balance but is it a ear infection or could it be something else? The vets are useless and we came away more frustrated then when we went in. We discussed her being on oral meds but said we wonder if its not working because its in her ear and will she have limited blood flow to get the meds working in her ear? We ended getting a lotion made up to rub in her ear, which she hates but we are trying to treat her inside and outside. Her ear looked infected and its looking better after applying the lotion so hoping things will pick up but worrying that the infection has festered before we became aware of it and its affected her inner ear that much that she wont recover! Any thoughts guys, anyone had a similar problem and what do you think about the ear lotion. It has steroid, anti inflammatory and antibiotic in it and I had to sign a form as its not a legal treatment so to speak. I know we have to give it time and see what happens but it feels good to sound it out with you.
|
|
|
Post by deguconvert on Jan 11, 2017 15:01:58 GMT
Is it Canural? It seems kind of weird that an infection in the ear could cause weakness. Maybe the appearance of a serious loss of balance would resemble weakness? You say she is occasionally dragging her back legs . . . as in completely unable, or unwilling, to operate/use them? I was going to ask if perhaps she could have had a stroke, but the effects of a stroke would not be something that fluctuates in appearance. Would they? Have you ever had X-Rays done of her skull/teeth?
|
|
|
Post by moletteuk on Jan 11, 2017 16:01:12 GMT
If you can see some kind of problem at the ear and combined with some of the symptoms it does seem like an ear infection is at least part of the problem. I would have thought that oral antibiotics would be best, but I'm sure the lotion won't hurt and may be providing some symptom relief, maybe titchycatnip can advise on this. What antibiotic is she on and what dose? If it worked before it should work again, but there could be a better one out there, there are half a dozen or so options for antibiotics that various people on the forum have had prescribed, it might be worth trying a different one. I would certainly pursue both the oral antibiotic and the lotion.
A stroke also occurred to me, or it could be that she has had a fall due to the balance issue from the ear and injured herself. I can't think of much other than time to help with this. I guess some oral metacam wouldn't hurt, and a steroid injection could be worth considering, but you would need a good vet for this. Is there any chance of finding a better vet?
|
|
|
Post by goolover on Jan 11, 2017 16:26:18 GMT
Yes its canural DC. Yeah I agree with the loss of balance resembling weakness as she CAN walk but is unwilling to and lets her legs drag behind her for a couple of steps then starts walking again but a weak walk. Unbalanced really. Shes not even grooming herself as sitting on her legs and using her front paws is knocking her totally off. She is frustrated about not being able to bath as I put some on floor and she tried to roll but couldn't then started to bite and paw the carpet in a right huff. Tried to brush her like Garf suggested and she lets me do most of her but by her ears she isn't having it so I told her she can stay stinky lol. Thought about a stroke also as they happen at various levels don't they, like slight,mild etc. The vet mentioned xray and this is an option but we wanted to go down the med route first incase it works. She's never been xray'd before No. She's 5 now so we are very anxious thinking about xrays but of course will do this if need be. Glad for your response as we seem to be on the same thinking
|
|
|
Post by goolover on Jan 11, 2017 16:58:35 GMT
Thanks moletteuk, yes time is what we need and I know shes coping but I see her frustration bless her. Giving her baytril 2.5 once a day. Also have Loxicom from the first visit before new year as I thought it would help but I know she's not in pain so not using it this time. Yes gonna keep her on this and the lotion and see what happens, glad you don't see harm in a lotion. Its just because its abit unusual so there was a little doubt in our minds about using it. Will check out other meds and see whats available. Asked about a nice flavor baytril for her but the vet said they don't do this but she loves the recovery feed so not a bother getting it into her. She definitely not had a fall or injury as we have checked her and so did the vet. Shes had a little MOT by the vet and shes a good weight, good heart beat, breathing is abit off but she has a respiratory problem so not related to this. Interesting about steroid injection as we read up on the this when we had problems with her breathing and I know it can cause appetite problems and a risk of stomach ulcers but the benefit probably out weighs the risk. Its just a one off injection isn't it? Will consider this again. I will be finding a vet for her. I don't mind using this one for checkups but wont have them do anything important with her. They gave her an injection before new year and took her through the back away from me. When she came back she was lying still in the carrier and when I got her home she was very upset and affected by the visit. She still has a big lump where the injection had been so no wonder she was upset. Took her up on monday gone and held her the whole time. Don't think the vet was liking me but I don't trust them!
|
|
|
Post by moletteuk on Jan 11, 2017 17:48:17 GMT
We've had members prescribed Canaural for prolapsed penis before, so that product should be OK. 2.5 what of the baytril? It's normally 0.05 to 0.1ml of 2.5% baytril twice a day.
I'm pretty sure a couple of mine have had steroids, I think if they are very poorly a one off shot can reduce inflammation and somehow give them a bit of a boost. If you don't think there is a possible injury and aren't very sure about stroke then it might not be appropriate. Incidentally, as you mention a breathing issue, my Flossie has tried steroids, injection and oral (I think from memory) to see if it would improve her breathing issue, but it didn't.
It's probably not really for me to say, but I think ear infections are painful in humans, so it could be painful for her, so I would consider the odd drop of loxicom for her.
I think you will feel a lot better if you can find a vet you can talk to and trust.
Make sure she is eating OK, loss of balance can make them reluctant to use 2 hands for eating, so she might struggle a bit, so just keep an eye on that and maybe start weighing her (or continue).
|
|
|
Post by bouncy on Jan 11, 2017 21:36:25 GMT
As well as ear infection and stroke, I'll chuck another thing in there. When Scaredygoo's roots grew into his nasal cavities, he stopped bathing. He now drags his feet in the wheel, and he's not as confident or enthusiastic at moving around as the others. The sinuses can have a direct impact on the vestibular system (ears), so might be worth a look?
|
|
|
Post by deguconvert on Jan 11, 2017 21:43:22 GMT
That's what I was wondering about as well, Bouncy, which was why I asked about X-Rays. You're experience with Scaredy and his struggles are perhaps exactly what is needed for help here!
|
|
|
Post by bouncy on Jan 11, 2017 21:56:34 GMT
I would start checking weight. Luckily, I've always weighed my lot every month, so it was noticeable when his weight declined. Watch him eat too. Try something like a piece of dandelion root. All of mine hold it in one paw, eating it like a baguette. Scaredygoo would try so hard but, after 20 minutes, he would only manage to gnaw the outside. He never really fluffed up either. He gradually lost his jumping ability, and is quite cautious. He also occasionally has bits of dust (and even food) stuck to the end of his nose, which is usually a little wet. Initially the vet thought it was injury related, then arthritis. It wasn't until I saw the specialist that it became clear. You might need to guide the vet on this. Alternatively, my specialist is happy to give free advice/second opinions on goos, even to other vets. It's John Chitty at Anton Vets in Andover (contact details are on the forum somewhere, or just Google).
|
|
|
Post by goolover on Jan 12, 2017 10:19:01 GMT
Thanks so much guys, really appreciate all of this great information and advice x moletteuk - Had a reply last night and my internet crashed so I lost it and thought bah I will respond tomorrow! We were perscibed baytril 2.5% 0.1ml daily and loxicom 0.08ml daily and your right gonna add this to her feed today as i'm sure she will be in pain. That's a shame about Flossie, sounds like you exhausted all possibilities to try and help her breathing. We know there's no guarantee, which is why we left it and it hasnt got any worse. Her breathing is worse at night when shes past out sleeping and I hear her wheezing. Tell myself she is goo snoring lol. Going to ring around and find a vet who has experience and we can have a good discussion about her. Will start weighing her as I know she was 240g on her first visit to vets. I have recovery feed in and will feed her if she has lost weight so this can be coped with. bouncy - You have described her perfectly there, dragging back legs and yeah not as confident. She came onto my knee before and scrabbled from the floor to my knee using her front paws to grip and then scrabbling her back legs so I had to lift her bum up! She is eating with one hand at the moment using the other one to balance her, just spent time with her there and she is wobbling around. I can tell she is trying to do things but cant and is frustrated bless her. She tried to have a groom on my knee and I was using a finger to try and balance her lol. Least we can get meds into her to maybe make her more comfortable. Was even thinking arthritis but after your info, x rays are a must as we need a definite prognosis. When i posted this thread I put a question on the ear thing as we couldn't figure out the link between a infection and her troubles but it would all make sense now. Will see how we get on and thankyou for the contact details bouncy, fantastic to have this and will use if and when we need to. I'm hoping to find a vet today and will add them to forum if they turn out to be good for other in the northeast as they are like gold dust. Will let you know how we get on.
|
|
|
Post by moletteuk on Jan 12, 2017 11:34:11 GMT
Is there a theory how overgrown roots could cause backend weakness, though? Knock on effect from balance problem, but this seems a bit extreme?
We have Abbey Vets in Durham and Chester-l-st recommended, another in Morpeth and Sunderland if you read the messages (I haven't got the table up to date oops), but lots of members active in your area, randomname must have a decent vet.
What are you using for nest material, re. the breathing problem?
|
|
|
Post by bouncy on Jan 12, 2017 11:36:05 GMT
Let us know how you get on!
|
|
|
Post by bouncy on Jan 12, 2017 11:51:37 GMT
Is there a theory how overgrown roots could cause backend weakness, though? Knock on effect from balance problem, but this seems a bit extreme? We have Abbey Vets in Durham and Chester-l-st recommended, another in Morpeth and Sunderland if you read the messages (I haven't got the table up to date oops), but lots of members active in your area, randomname must have a decent vet. What are you using for nest material, re. the breathing problem? If there's additional pressure on the sinuses, it has a knock on effect to the vestibular system (think how your ears start to ache if you have a really bad cold and you're not able to rebalance them). Regarding the weakness, even John hasn't been able to work it out. There's nothing physically wrong with his back end, so we just wondered if certain movements cause more pain than others. He used to love sitting on my legs, but can't get up there anymore. He also gets trapped in the basement if Spidey knocks the ladder away. Luckily, there's a good stash of nuts and roots down there. As I said, he can't jump, so I used to keep a separate dust bath for him, but he won't even use that any more. He walks in, samples the poo, has a wee, and chambers out again. He won't even use the sand that's spilt onto the floor like the others.
|
|
|
Post by moletteuk on Jan 12, 2017 11:54:13 GMT
OK, interesting, thanks.
|
|
|
Post by ntg on Jan 12, 2017 11:55:51 GMT
Abbey vets is pretty expensive and it's hit and miss as to who you'll get. Some gave me confidence, others not so much.
If you're based in Newcastle and can drive then I'd try ringing the Morpeth ones and seeing if they still deal with degus often.
|
|
|
Post by goolover on Jan 12, 2017 12:00:32 GMT
moletteuk - Yes it does seem extreme doesn't it. Will try and find a more local vet but will look further afield if this fails. Have possibly found a vet in longbenton and waiting for a call back but yes Morpeth, Durham etc are all options for us too as we both drive. Her bedding is pettex, the shredded paper and is cleaned every week. Always up on hygiene as I know it can effect their breathing if I leave it to long.
|
|
|
Post by goolover on Jan 12, 2017 12:02:11 GMT
Will do ntg, thanks
|
|
|
Post by goolover on Jan 12, 2017 13:25:25 GMT
ok guys, got her booked in with a vets in morpeth 'Robson and prescott'. Rang them and asked if they deal with degu's and the receptionist said 'oh yes' and asked what the problem is. Booked in with one of the directors called sam prescott who i'm told has alot of experience so sounds good so far. Will update once we know more.
|
|
|
Post by moletteuk on Jan 12, 2017 13:42:11 GMT
Excellent.
With the bedding I was thinking of possible dust rather than hygiene, it was just with you saying she is worse at night, I find the nest is a hotspot for fibres and dust with the way they collect and shred things. I settled on kitchen paper in whole or half sheets as the least dusty thing in the end, and I eliminated all cardboard.
|
|
|
Post by goolover on Jan 12, 2017 14:06:33 GMT
Yes I think it is dust rather then hygiene too. They seem to drag hay in the bed and saw dust too and I clean it out and they put fresh back in. The heating is on and making sure she is warm and toasty but they always add additional in there! Its a loosing battle in this house! A good thing is I have a towel by the radiator in our living room and she comes through and lies on it so its dust free and her breathing seems to be better when shes not in her bed so when she comes through and chooses to lie by the radiator I am chuffed. I even pick her up and bring her through but she gives me daggers and goes back through to her bed as if to say 'erm I choose where to sleep thankyou'.......That's me told then rofl. We have been upset by this whole thing and my bf couldn't sleep last night for worry but feel so much better today after advice and knowing we may have a good vet to go to for emergencies like this. Gave her Baytril and added Loxicom. She has had a little try at a bath, maybe the loxicom helping her move abit better. She's not looking as stinky
|
|