Cough - should I go to a vet?

[degunewbie]

Hi,

My degu for the past 3 days has had a cough (or sneeze, I cant actually tell). It's not often, maybe twice a day for a few seconds, but I haven't heard her do it before I don't think. But it has only been a few weeks I have known her.

Firstly, should I take her to the vet? Just second guessing myself because I'm still waiting on her carrier to arrive, but also she has only been in her new home a few weeks, so I am a bit hesitant to move her, and get her poked and prodded, when shes still building trust in her new environment. Of course, if she is probably sick, then I would rather go asap.

Secondly, I did a cage clean a week ago now, and I'm wondering if it's the substrate. I did have carefresh at first, and this degu paper, which looked like normal shredded paper. Now in her cage, I just shredded up toilet roll for her softer spaces... and I used this as the main substrate
www.amazon.co.uk/Small-Pet-Select-Unbleached-Bedding/dp/B079C7H3XF/ref=pd_gwm_rp_0?pf_rd_s=grid-10&pf_rd_t=Gateway&pf_rd_i=mobile&pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pd_rd_wg=sQ9Gd&pd_rd_r=0NPYFVTE4RKCYDFHEK6P&pd_rd_w=uNJjl&pf_rd_r=0NPYFVTE4RKCYDFHEK6P&pf_rd_p=3b62b840-c6a9-421b-99d8-428f8dbc491c&rId=p13n-rid-pprb&rId.s.purchase_date=Feb+2021&pd_rd_i=B079C7H3XF

I chose it because one of the reviews said it actually helped with their degus respiratory problems. Do you think this is suitable? Could it be the problem?

I have to say I was planning on going back to carefresh anyway because I found it to be better in general (seemed to be less smelly, and more tidy?). But I have loads of this stuff left. Should I use it or throw it?

Thanks!

[degunewbie]

And also, just in case anyone is concerned because they have seen that I'm looking into getting her a companion. I will not get her a friend if she might be sick, until she is better. Her companion I wouldn't bring here until a couple of weeks from now at least, in any case.

I hope you are all doing well!

[savvy]

It's always a good idea to get a cough checked out by a vet, and it wouldn't hurt to get a general health check anyway so she can be registered with a degu experienced vet.

I'd be concerned about how dusty the bedding is. It looks quite fine in the photograph. Try to find a substrate and bedding that is dust extracted, it won't be completely dust free, but should be OK.

There's no need to shred toilet tissue for them, you can put a whole roll in and they will have loads of fun dragging it around the cage.

Let us know how she gets on.

[moletteuk]

If you can really get up close to her, have a listen to her breathing, if you can hear any noises when she breathes then that would warrant a vet visit. Also watch closely for any nasal discharge, either sitting on the end of her nose or seeing her wipe it off on her paw. If she is clear for snot and noises I would watch for a couple more days, unless she seems unwell.

Some degus can be a bit sensitive to dust or certain products. The paper bedding you linked doesn't immediately seem like a problem, but it does look dustier than carefresh. The only way to tell is to do trial eliminations. It is also possible to get problem batches of hay or forage. I used to use Fitch, which was that type of paper bedding, cheaper than Carefresh and low dust, works great mixed with a chipped hemp type product, which gives a better surface for walking.

[degunewbie]

That's really interesting and useful guys, thank you.

I will order carefresh again now. I'd rather be safe than sorry in any case. But if anything it is a bit of a relief that you guys think there could potentially a problem with the substrate, so an easy fix.

I did look at some other posts around coughs, and online stuff, and heard about listening to the sound of their breathing too. I did try, and she seems to be breathing fine, but I imagine it would be very quiet so maybe I didnt hear it as I wasnt close enough. So far, I dont think she has a runny nose, and I havent seen it moist even, but that's really good to know what to look out for it, so I can keep a close eye on it.

I was calling vets in my area earlier today, and after a couple said they didnt take degus, I was referred to the most likely one, according to the vets I phoned, and they just said I should go to the RVC in Camden. This wasnt about a specialist problem I highlighted to do with Sarah, I was just asking around which vet could treat degus. I was very surprised by this as the professional vets have told me to go to a school. Yes a prestigious vet university, but still I am surprised I need to go to vet trainees. Does this sound right to you all or have I looked in the wrong places? I should have found the appropriate vet in advance. I was stupid to assume that because I'm in london there would of course be one. If something does go wrong with her, I'm a bit annoyed with myself the vet is over half an hour away. Though there are a couple vet hospitals near. I really wish I had figured out the vet side before, I dont even know where to start.

[savvy]

Have a look at our vet guide deguworld.proboards.com/thread/15521/vet-guide to see if there's one closer.

It's not unusual to have to go to a vet school, we have a few members who use them regularly. If you do, them she may be seen by a qualified vet along with one or more students. They all have to learn about different animals.

It's not unusual to find a vet after you get your degus, most do it this way around, but at least you are looking before there's a problem.

[degunewbie]

That's great! So when I looked through that list the one that's closest is the RVC! And it's got recommendations. So that's so relieving to know that it is the place to go, with knowledgable vets. I'm going to phone them tomorrow to register and seek when and if she should come in.

I really so much appreciate your help, it takes a weight off my shoulders when I'm unsure about doing the right thing. It helps a lot.