nhoa
Newborn Degu
Posts: 18
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Post by nhoa on Apr 16, 2017 10:36:59 GMT
Hello! Today I have woken up to find my little Jack very sick!!! I thought he was dead because he was not moving inside his house! I opened the door and he didnt come to me, which is quite strange. I've tried to give him food & water and he does not even open his mouth. He looks very thin, his hair is like dirty all plain and you can feel all his bones! Yesterday he was perfectly fine! And his brother Gus is good, like always. Please help me, I do not know what to do and there is no exotic vets open today near home
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Post by Bexi87 on Apr 16, 2017 10:40:42 GMT
You really need to get him to a vet - can you call any local vets and ask if they can see him? I think any vet is better than no vet when they are ill - ask them to check his mouth for any spurs and his stomach for bloating.
Do you weigh them regularly? Could he have had a fall or eaten something that he shouldn't?
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Post by ntg on Apr 16, 2017 10:45:50 GMT
I'm sorry to hear your degu isn't well.
Have you got any syringes on hand by any chance? As this might be the only way to get something into him.
Try as many different foods as you can, vegetable baby food, ground almonds/nuts in general, mushed up pellets with water. Critical care or recovery food would be the best option if you have it.
Are there any vets open at all? Including emergency vets so that you could get some care and supplies to try and help him?
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Post by bouncy on Apr 16, 2017 10:48:53 GMT
Most vets will have an emergency service when the surgery is closed - please try and find the number!
In the meantime, try and tempt him with anything to eat or drink. Keep him warm. If you can handle him, check for any discharge, sore limbs, wounds. Have a careful look around the cage for any signs of what might have happened (definitely check inside the nest).
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Post by moletteuk on Apr 16, 2017 10:50:21 GMT
From what you have said previously, I suspect that Jack has an ongoing dental issue, he needs to be seen as soon as possible because he is probably in pain. He will need a full examination by a vet, and possibly sedation to allow correction work.
Do you have any syringes that you can syringe feed him with? You can make some mushed up food from mashed veg or veg baby food, crushed seeds and nuts, oats etc, mixed into a smooth paste. It's important that you try to get some food and liquid into him.
You can also try to keep him warm.
edit, sorry for repeated advice - cross post.
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nhoa
Newborn Degu
Posts: 18
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Post by nhoa on Apr 16, 2017 10:53:37 GMT
I have him with me, I mean he is in my lap right now. He is eating now but very slowly. I am calling all vets and no one is answering. Only one of them is in urgency today and told me they do not attend to exotics, just cats and dogs.
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Post by bouncy on Apr 16, 2017 10:59:38 GMT
Might be worth a Google in your area? Often, vets have different numbers for out of hours.
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Post by ntg on Apr 16, 2017 11:03:10 GMT
I know in the UK some vets pool into an emergency company so that they take it in turns to do nights. Perhaps there's a similar organisation in Spain?
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nhoa
Newborn Degu
Posts: 18
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Post by nhoa on Apr 16, 2017 11:04:23 GMT
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nhoa
Newborn Degu
Posts: 18
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Post by nhoa on Apr 16, 2017 11:08:09 GMT
Nothing at all. I know of some vet hospital in a nearby city, but they do not answer any of the phone numbers. The main problem is that currently we are on bank holidays for eastern, from last thursday till next tuesday, so stores are taken some of those days off.
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Post by ntg on Apr 16, 2017 11:20:47 GMT
Oh that is extremely thin! Poor lad. What sort of things is he eating? Could you try making porridge with oats and water, nothing added?
I know it's difficult with it being easter, if only the one vets is open and claims they only see cats and dogs I would probably ring them back and beg that, if nothing else, they give you at least critical care and, if possible, something to help with pain to try and keep him as comfortable as possible until the exotics vet is open.
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nhoa
Newborn Degu
Posts: 18
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Post by nhoa on Apr 16, 2017 11:35:44 GMT
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Post by ntg on Apr 16, 2017 11:41:09 GMT
Does he just pick certain pieces to eat that seem like they're easier for him to gnaw by any chance?
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nhoa
Newborn Degu
Posts: 18
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Post by nhoa on Apr 16, 2017 11:42:02 GMT
Oh that is extremely thin! Poor lad. What sort of things is he eating? Could you try making porridge with oats and water, nothing added? I know it's difficult with it being easter, if only the one vets is open and claims they only see cats and dogs I would probably ring them back and beg that, if nothing else, they give you at least critical care and, if possible, something to help with pain to try and keep him as comfortable as possible until the exotics vet is open. I know! I was shocked when I saw him like that! He was a big ball of fur yesterday when I went to bed! I still cannot imagine what happened... As I said, his brother is completely fine and fatty as usual.
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nhoa
Newborn Degu
Posts: 18
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Post by nhoa on Apr 16, 2017 11:42:43 GMT
Does he just pick certain pieces to eat that seem like they're easier for him to gnaw by any chance? Not really, he is just eating piece by piece, little by little...
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Post by Deleted on Apr 16, 2017 11:46:24 GMT
It's worrying he's lost so much weight over night.
Try not to panic you are doing the best you can. Just get him to the vet as soon as possible, I know it's tricky because of the bank holidays.
You mentioned in your other post about puffy eyes etc, that's an indicator of dental issues, and this sudden decline in his overall health and look definitely is.
I would also ring the vet back and beg for him to be seen.
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Post by ntg on Apr 16, 2017 11:51:39 GMT
Oh poor love, they can disguise their weights really easily by puffing up though, so it may have been a steady decline that hasn't been noticed if he hasn't been weighed often, particularly if he isn't forcibly held much either.
I'm not saying to blame yourself here though, I know you adopted these guys not too long ago so it's likely that this has been happening for a while before you got them. They certainly look older than the 3 months old you were told.
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nhoa
Newborn Degu
Posts: 18
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Post by nhoa on Apr 16, 2017 11:54:19 GMT
He is getting better and better, he is now drinking some water too and walking and hoping around. I am still worried for him and will take him to the vet as soon as I can, but I am glad to see that he seems to be improving and not the opposite...
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Post by Deleted on Apr 16, 2017 11:57:22 GMT
Yes improvement is always good ❤ keep us updated x
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Post by Deleted on Apr 16, 2017 11:57:28 GMT
Make sure he's pooping too.
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