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Post by concernedtrustissues on Jul 9, 2017 19:02:46 GMT
I'm concerned about my degu. She has a fairly large size lump on her back left foot, limps and cannot scratch her left ear/face. I know she must be in pain, I can't bring her to the vet for a couple of weeks and was hoping someone could help. For her second and third floor of her cage she has a barred flooring in shapes of squares. She's been living in this cage for just over maybe 5 years and there hasn't been any issue. When looking at her other foot her toes are visible and they almost clamp/grip the bars unlike her injured foot. I've read that it could be a break, a sprain, or a tumour. Her toes aren't as visible either, I can't see the fur where her toes are but not her toes. I know degus have a high pain tolerance so I'm very concerned with her condition. Has this happened to anybody else? Is there a way I can make life less painful for her? She's not the biggest fan of being picked up and were cleaning her cage and altering the flooring tonight to try and help out. I read that she should be put in a smaller cage with nothing to climb, will this help? Someone please help
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Post by bouncy on Jul 9, 2017 19:11:47 GMT
If she's been walking on a barred or mesh floor for five years, she may well have developed bumblefoot. It's a very painful condition and will need treatment. As a start, I would suggest covering the mesh with something, even cardboard, ASAP.
However, not having seen the foot, it's difficult to say. As you say, it could be a tumour, injury...... You will need to see your vet now. At the very least, the vet can provide metacam for pain relief, and will likely diagnose and start treatment for whatever the diagnosis is.
Can you either post a photo or describe in more detail? Is the area inflamed? Is the lump on top of or on the sole of the foot? Does it feel hot? What colour is the skin? Is there pus?
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Post by savvy on Jul 9, 2017 19:12:56 GMT
You need yo put something solid on all the floor of the cage. It sound as if she could have developed bumblefoot from being on a wire floor.
She needs to see a vet as soon as possible. Is there anywsy you could get her seen sooner? What country are you in? Are there any free vet services nearby that you would be able to use?
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Post by concernedtrustissues on Jul 9, 2017 22:58:11 GMT
I'm still trying to figure out this website. I live in Ontario and from what I know there are no free vet services, and only a couple of vets that know about degus. I'm going to post a picture of my degu's foot, she wont let me touch it and we're concerned it's more of a tumour. It's a little dark, and it's like a large bubble, I suppose. After cleaning her cage I placed a thick cardboard over all of the bars and made an alternate route to go from level to level. We're looking into getting an earlier time for the vet but I will be out of town for a week after Tuesday so my mother will be watching over her. The foot itself, the base is fine, looks very similar to her other foot, the bump/bubble is on the top. This is where mhy knowledge of the situation ends, I'm not sure what else I could say about it, I hope the photo helps.  |
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Post by savvy on Jul 9, 2017 23:07:40 GMT
Its great that you've covered the surfaces. Only a vet will be able to tell you for sure what it is.
How is she in herself, is she eating and drinking normally? Its not unusual for degus not to want you touching their feet.
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Post by concernedtrustissues on Jul 10, 2017 2:30:09 GMT
She is eating and drinking normally, she seems to be pretending as if it doesn't hurt, she still goes on her wheel and tries to use her foot. I appreciate the help
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Post by yasmin on Jul 10, 2017 2:37:22 GMT
She will need to see a vet as soon as possible. It is hard to tell what it might be – whether bumble foot, a tumour, or an infection.
I live in Ontario – in the Ottawa area. I know of an excellent vet here. (Whereabouts are you?) Many vets leave appointments free for emergencies so it is possible that you could get to see a vet tomorrow. Otherwise, make sure to make an appointment for the day that you are back.
BTW: Metacam is not difficult to give to degus because they usually are fine with how it tastes. My mom takes care of my degus when I go away. I often have a degu needing medication; my mom is able to give it to them by putting the drop on a favourite treat or by mixing it with a bit of baby food (organic, no sugar, squash/sweet potato/pea) or on a thawed out pea.
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Post by bouncy on Jul 10, 2017 8:34:25 GMT
Ditto yasmin. Branded metacam is honey flavoured, and my lot love it. Scaredygoo has a daily dose, which he drinks direct from the syringe (then licks the outside clean). My mum pops in to dose him whenever I'm away. She was concerned about it to begin with, but now has such a soft spot! |
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