URGENT Cold and lethargic, will not eat/drink

[millyy]

Hi all, 

Went to say goodnight to my degus and found one (Ponsy) cold and pretty unresponsive in bed, and another (Ratty) acting much less lively and hiding herself away. The other two seem fine- one that lives with them (she does have teeth issues so isn't eating well, which may be a clue) and another that does not.

Ponsy is floppy and will move a bit but not much. She seems to have diarrhoea or to have wet herself, or both. She doesn't feel like she's generating any heat, and she squeals and struggles when her belly is touched (although that isn't entirely unusual for her as she hates it). Have got her wrapped up on a hot water bottle and have tried syringing sugar water but she won't lick her lips and I'm not convinced she's swallowed any.

Ratty is still warm and responsive but very quiet and far from her normal self. I have left her to herself for now but keeping a very close eye (she's no fan of cuddles/human restraint!). She does have some small amounts of drool around the sides of her mouth which is very unusual.

I absolutely refuse to let them die on me. Have wracked my brains to see if they could have eaten anything- they were free-roaming all day in the living room when we were at work but it's degu-proofed and I can't find anything that they shouldn't have had. My partner left some peanut butter out from giving the tooth issue one her meds, so it's possible they've gorged on that, but they've nicked a fair amount in the past and it's not caused any issues. 

The fact that it's the two greedy eaters that are unwell makes me question whether it could be food related but I just don't see how. 

Any ideas of what to do? Am planning on a vet trip in the morning- they don't open till 9 though and even then the local one isn't expert in degus and our normal degu vet is too far for me to get to tomorrow. Am going to clean them out now in case it's something in their cage. 

Please help - anything I can do!!!

[millyy]

Just to clarify, both Ponsy and Ratty have no dental problems at all.

[zenaida]

You're doing everything I know what to do. Keep her warm and comfortable. Trying to get something easier in her food wise. I'm concerned someone more experienced won't see this for awhile though...

Have you inspected their cage and the room they were in? It does sound like she ate something she shouldn't have. Do they have access to fabrics? I've heard that strings from the fabrics can get trapped in their digestive system.

How old is she? Watch her poop, confirm if is is loose stool or maybe constipation.

[bouncy]

If she has diarrhoea, it's possible she's gone into clinical shock from loss of fluids. If this is the case, keep them warm and carry on syringing water, but only little amounts. Also, have a look in the cage for some healthy poos, doesn't matter whose, as eating these can help repopulate the gut flora. I'd also start similar treatment on ratty. Do you have any out of hours vet services? If not, make sure you get them in asap.

I know you said your living room is goo proofed, but is there ANYTHING that looks like it's been chewed a bit? It could be the smallest thing - perhaps a fly or wasp you killed, a leaf?

[millyy]

Ponsy died last night in my arms. I am absolutely broken- she is the last degu I ever thought I'd lose. I'm usually quite good at accepting death but I've never wanted some way of bringing something back so much, I am so far from ready for this. They are less than two years old.

Ratty is still holding up but is not looking good. I've tried syringing fluids but she didn't seem to really swallow any. Was thinking of trying some human rehydration fluids. There are healthy poos everywhere, but they're due a clean out and it's impossible to tell who they're from. I've searched the cage for signs of diarrhoea, can't see any but it's a huge cage with wood shavings at the moment so I could easily be missing it.

I can't see any 'fresh chews'. My partner gave them one of those kapoc pods a while ago which I confiscated when I found out, it's possible they've climbed up and reached it and done some extra chewing I guess (it was chewed open a little so can't tell if they've chewed more) but I'm clutching at straws.

Not looking forward to going into the vet at all, as I know I'll just break down.

[millyy]

Sorry I've just re-read and seen what you meant about healthy poos. No shortage of them but Ratty won't even eat the most tempting treats.

[bouncy]

Oh I'm sorry. Poor little Ponsy

I thought you said she had diarrhoea. It certainly sounds like they've both ingested something. Have you got an appointment with your vet yet? It's urgent that you get Ratty there asap.

[moletteuk]

I'm so sorry about Ponsy.

I'm hoping you are already at the vets, they will be able to give a shot of fluids that might help. Without knowing what is going on I think fluids and a little energy are going to be the main things to do. Get some Critical Care or Recovery Plus and maybe some Vetark Pro-C.

[millyy]

(The diarrhoea seemed to be on her, she was wet at least and there seemed to be some brown, sorry I wasn't clear.)

Have seen the vet with Ratty (and cried!)- he said it's very difficult to tell what's wrong, her abdomen feels ok but could be an infection or toxin that they've ingested. He's recommended baytril for at least 5 days as there's not much else he could do. No shot of fluids and I forgot to ask- he said to persevere with the rehydration fluids.

She seems perkier and is not floppy or stumbling like Ponsy was so I think she's hopefully going to pull through. I've put her in a travel cage with tissue and since about 8am she has been doing wees and poos (poos are small and lumpy, no diarrhoea).

I just feel like I'm in some kind of alternate reality as I cannot accept that Ponsy is gone. I wish I'd spotted sooner in case I could have saved her :-(

[millyy]

I do have some critical care- am going to give her a bit of a break as have just squeezed about 0.4ml rehydration fluids into her mouth and then will try her with it.

[Emziedee]

So sorry for your sudden loss Milly, I read this and ran straight upstairs to check on my boys

The not knowing what may have caused it and if it could have been prevented will play on your mind but please don't torture yourself, it was her time and she's at peace now.

You were there with her when she passed and that's what really counts x

[bouncy]

I'm glad Ratty sounds like he's pulling through - all with the care of their mummy. From what you described, and the rapidity between posting and Ponsy passing, I'm not sure if the emergency vet could have done anything.

After you've done your next feed session, take your time to have a long, thorough scout in your room for absolutely ANYTHING. I know it doesn't help Ponsy, but it will prevent a recurrence.

If you're happy she's pooping properly, and she's relatively easy to catch, it might be worth popping Ratty back in the cage, so she can cuddle toothy. They'll both be feeling the loss of Ponsy

[zenaida]

I'm so sorry! It is scary how they can be fine and then all of a sudden something happens. Hopefully Ratty will recover soon.

[millyy]

Thank you all for your kind words, support and advice. Ratty's still not right- she won't eat- but she is swallowing rehydration fluid quite well from a syringe now and is moving around at times. She even took a treat and buried it which I think must be a good sign

I have noticed all the remaining three have had white eye gunk today- it's something that only Pickle (the separated one) has had before which is likely due to her teeth root issues, but I'm now wondering whether perhaps there's a respiratory/sinus infection that has affected them all to different degrees.

Still half convinced this is an awful nightmare

[bouncy]

Glad she's starting to improve! Treat acceptance is certainly an improvement on last night!

It's true that a watery eye can be caused by root issues, but the fact that all three have it might also suggest something as simple as an eye infection, or conjunctivitis (very contagious). You'll need to pop back to the vet for eye ointment at least, but they'll be the ones to tell you what's causing it.

[goolover]

I'm so so sorry for your loss millyy, a poorly degu like this goes down hill fast so please don't blame yourself. Its natural to think 'what if's' and think I could have checked earlier and it may have made a difference but we just torment ourselves thinking this way. I would keep Ratty warm as when they are poorly I have noticed they cant retain their body heat and need help to keep as warm as possible. Encourage her to drink by offering her water bottle every so often. I've done this with my lot and managed to get water into them as they haven't made an effort themselves to keep drinking and its so important to keep them hydrated. Those vitamin injections are great at giving them a boost when they aren't eating so take her for another one if you think she needs it.

[deguconvert]

I am so very sorry for your loss of Ponsy, the critical care needed for Ratty, and the condition of the other three. You must be reeling. Sending you lots of hugs and support!

How is everyone doing today?

[yasmin]

Very, very sad to read that Ponsy has passed. My heart goes out to you millyy.

I hope that Ratty's condition has improved. You might want to try mixing Critical Care with some organic baby food – squash or sweet potato or pea (make sure there is no added sugar or other ingredients other than water). If Ratty is having a problem chewing then she might be persuaded to lick up her food. Thawed frozen peas might be tempting. Will she eat rolled oats, organic puffed rice or sunflower seeds (with the shell removed)?