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Post by moletteuk on Jun 1, 2023 14:49:41 GMT
Oh no! This really is too much. You must be worn out with worry.
It's so weird though! Is it quite close to the base of the tail?
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Post by hpdegus on Jun 1, 2023 15:53:54 GMT
I'm a little emotional and exhausted. Coworkers always ask how he's doing, and then I struggle not to tear up at work, haha.
Close but not that close! Maybe 1.5-2 inches out? And I don't know if he can reach that area anymore. Which is one reason why I'm thinking this might be from a fall? I could be wrong though! I'll see how he's doing tonight, but I really hope he takes care of it since I don't think going to the vet is a good idea. Especially since he mysteriously loses/injures body parts the next morning.
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Post by hpdegus on Jun 1, 2023 21:24:56 GMT
No luck on him taking care of it himself. The vet said it's fine to being him in tomorrow morning with Tom, so thats something. Hoping he or his brothers take care of it overnight though (if they do, I most likely won't bring him unless the tail looks awful).
I'm actually really worried about taking him in though, since something has happened the last two times he's been to the vet.
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Post by hpdegus on Jun 2, 2023 21:13:32 GMT
Poor Mooney is now in a cone. The vet even sutured it to his neck (which makes me a bit nervous, but apparently she's done it before on degus). He's very disoriented and fell over immediately when I placed him in the cage. Hoping that's just after effects of sedation. He kept dropping sunflower seeds because he can't get his paws to his mouth at the moment But he basically lunged at the syringe full of CC, which is good news! I'll be keeping an eye on him, the vet wants to keep the cone on until Monday at the very minimum. She did say it takes 1-2 days to adjust. Edit: and the majority of his tail was amputated. photos.app.goo.gl/JtFsbCBsWwQ7qetX7
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Post by moletteuk on Jun 3, 2023 17:44:05 GMT
Oh dear, I hope he's been OK today.
How is he eating if he can't reach his mouth with his hands? I don't think I've ever seen a degu pick food up directly with their mouth?
Is their any suspicion that the injury was self inflicted, could he have bitten into it himself?? I don't suppose the vet could tell from the wound?
Sending best wishes to you, Mooney, Tom & Newt and strong words to the rest of your gang to keep out of trouble for a while!
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Post by hpdegus on Jun 3, 2023 17:52:22 GMT
Today has not been great. My neighbor is a nurse and she's going to help me take out the sutures. Edit: I'm going to give more pain meds now. Hoping this helps. I'd like to keep the cone on as long as possible, giving he may have injured his tail himself. First day post-op is always bad, I just need to remember that. I thought I would lose Tom, first day post op his last surgery. He didn't want to take meds, fluids, or food at all. I did get most of the meds in him, but it was not easy. The vet said I might have to syringe feed, which I've been trying. He did take 8 mL yesterday, but very little today. She thinks it's possible. And he's been injured after the last two vet visits. But I think an injury is better than possibly not making it through dehydration or pain. I also kind of think his head is pressing down on the cone, causing issues with swallowing? Maybe it's bruised? His breathing is the same as yesterday, shallowish and fast. Thank you Molette I'm sure they won't do their best!
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Post by hpdegus on Jun 3, 2023 18:52:26 GMT
He just died in my arms. I gave the gabapentin, he was throwing his head around and started mouth breathing. Got the cone removed but he passed before that.
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Post by savvy on Jun 3, 2023 19:29:07 GMT
Oh no! I am so very sorry my love.
You did all you could, rest in peace little one.
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Post by hpdegus on Jun 3, 2023 19:34:02 GMT
Thank you Savvy. I feel so guilty. I wish I hadn't given him the gabapentin, he hated the taste so much. Or let then put the cone on.
But at least it was very very quick. And now he won't deteriorate slowly while I guess at when is the best time.
How long should I leave him with his brothers? They've seen him and don't see interested. They're piled up sleeping at the moment.
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Post by savvy on Jun 3, 2023 19:49:00 GMT
You did everything to try to help him, there's no need to feel guilty. It was very quick, which is a blessing as he's not suffering for a protracted period.
As long as his brothers have said their goodbyes its safe to remove his body.
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Post by moletteuk on Jun 3, 2023 20:04:59 GMT
I'm so very sorry. I'm sorry it was sudden and traumatic, and has left you feeling bad.
You really have nothing to beat yourself up over, I don't think he had long realistically, and quick is always best in my opinion. You have done everything you could. You couldn't do anything but follow vet advice, and given that as far as we know he chewed his own toes and tail, I think there was good reason for the cone. It's always difficult and there is always a risk to giving meds.
Rest in peace, Mooney x
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Post by hpdegus on Jun 3, 2023 21:41:36 GMT
Thanks Savvy and Molette.
Yeah, I feel like he wouldn't have had much longer, I'm just upset that he had to go through an operation and felt awful today. I wanted his last day to be better. I am thankful that other than the past 24 hours, he was still full of life and sass.
I fully understand why the vet put on the cone, I think that was the best call. I'd been debating all day about when to take it off though, since it seemed a bit tight and he was refusing meds/food. But I thought that was partially day 1 postoperative pain and that the risk of him chewing at his toes was too high. My plan was to get the gabapentin in him to get a handle on the pain, then take the cone off in a few hours. But I forgot how much he hated the taste of that medication. I never would have predicted he'd throw his head like that, or that the cone was that tight.
But I'm so so glad he isn't in pain anymore. It was really quick. It's been so hard watching him go from loving running on the wheel to just chewing on it. Or he'd be the first one to destroy a hanging wooden toy, but then he couldn't stand on his back legs to reach it anymore. Fred, George, and Ollie can take care of him now. I'm glad Pads and Prongs have each other.
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Post by teemu on Jun 4, 2023 5:53:01 GMT
I'm really sorry to hear that things went so badly. It sounds like you did everything you could. It is always tempting to second-guess care decisions in hindsight, but we sadly don't have that benefit when making these decisions, so trying to pick the best option is the only thing we can do.
While the tight cone might have contributed to what ultimately happened, it sounds to me that his condition overall might have been the bigger reason, and the cone was possibly just the last straw in that, since he was already in a poor way. Passing very quickly from an acute episode seems very drastic. It is likely that he just did not find his strength after the vet any more.
All that to say that to me, it sounds to me like you made the right decisions, given the options and information available. As you said, leaving him without the cone would have also been really risky. Sometimes those choices just don't work out, in the end.
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Post by deguconvert on Jun 12, 2023 6:21:41 GMT
I am so, so sorry, Hpdegus!! My heart aches for you! You are such a loving, loyal, diligent and vigilant, owner. There is no doubt that you did everything and then more to give Mooney and ALL your goos the very best life. How I want to give you a big hug and share tears together. Sending you love and hugs, my friend.
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Post by yasmin on Jul 1, 2023 18:31:16 GMT
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Post by hpdegus on Jul 3, 2023 0:04:51 GMT
Thank you all for your kind words. It's been really difficult looking back at this thread--I haven't really been able to grieve properly.
Mooney was a lovely, intelligent goo with so much sass. He hid out in my sweater, used me as an escalator during playtime, and would ring the bell on bird toys (that he destroyed) when I was late giving treats. He dragged his food bowl all over, never satisfied with where I placed it.
He adored his wheel, either running in it or biting it. He was always the first to run for their daily seeds until the very end. He and Prongs fought so much during adolescence while Padfoot refused to intervene (unless he wanted to be groomed, then he walked right through the middle of fights)! Once they got over the dominance fights, you'd usually find them cuddled up together.
Miss you, Mooney babe, your brothers have been quiet without you.
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