Sick degu- need help

[chris2200]

My degu suddenly started acting very lethargic and unbalanced, seemed to have right sided hemiparesis as if from a stroke. Periodically had spasms/confusions, breathing would become shallow. He was given antibiotics and he made a complete turn around within a few days and was back to normal. Two days later it happened again and not having and positive results this time and I believe he won't survive but he is fighting. Any thoughts to what may have caused this, how to treat it and prevent it from happening to my other degus?

[chris2200]

I forgot to mention he is less than a year old.

[winic1]

I'm so sorry, I don't have any idea what this could be.

If he is doing so poorly, has he been able to drink and eat at all?
Perhaps offer him some drops of water with a dropper or syringe? Don't force it which might make him choke on it, just offer drips at his mouth so he can lap it up if he wishes? Dehydration will only make him worse.

If he isn't eating, offer him some vegetable baby food, or make a porridge-like mixture of oats, to help him get some calories in?

Unfortunately, it's the middle of the night and no one who might have better ideas will be online for a while.

[moletteuk]

I don't think we have come across anything exactly like this before, in terms of such severe symptoms responding so well to antibiotics, but only initially. So, I can reassure you that working closely with your vet
is the right way to tackle this; unfortunately, we don't have any proven protocol that I can share with you.

With those symptoms and the response to antibiotics, this would suggest some kind of infection in or near the brain.

I think if you are sure that it did respond to antibiotics, then I would go aggressive with the dose or try another antibiotic, or even two antibiotics together. If you fear he is not going to make it you have very little to lose. Septrin and marbocyl are both broad spectrum alternatives to baytril. Doxycycline is good for tissue penetration, and we have a member whose degu has been prescribed it alongside a broad spectrum antibiotic.

Is he eating and drinking? Are you monitoring his weight to get an idea how he is doing? Hydration is important if he is fighting infection. Even if he is still eating some, he would probably benefit from some syringe feeding of Critical Care or Supreme Recovery.

I honestly don't know what the risk might be to his cagemates, I'm tempted to think not that great, but then I think things like meningitis in humans are contagious, so I don't know, but where would he have caught that from? Tricky. I can tell you that he will mostly likely fight harder to live if you keep him in with his buddies.

[deguconvert]

I am so sorry for the illness and fright, Chris2200! I have nothing more to add to what Moletteuk has said, but heartily second it all. I truly hope you can help him successfully through this.

Did think of one thing . . . it might be helpful to have an X-Ray of his skull to see if there has been root overgrowth that has intruded into his sinus or brain cavity. Being as ill as he is, that might be very difficult to do without making him even more ill, however. It's just an idea.

[goolover]

So sorry to hear this, very upsetting especially being so young. I don't have anything to add but want to wish you all the luck with your boys recovery.

[chris2200]

Thank you all for your advice and support. Despite our efforts, he passed away this morning. Thank you all again.

[savvy]

I am so sorry to hear this! Run free little one.

[ntg]

I'm so very sorry for your loss, Chris

[goolover]

Very sorry, RIP little goo 

[yasmin]

Oh no 😢 Sincerest condolences.

[degulover21]

I never know what to say on these type of posts, just don't have the words... I'm so sorry for your loss, RIP little guy❤️

[deguconvert]

I am so, so sorry!! I didn't expect this. I'm so saddened by your loss, Chris.

[moletteuk]

I'm very sorry.

[Deleted]

I'm so so sorry for your loss 😔 xx ❤