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Post by moletteuk on Aug 12, 2023 11:10:49 GMT
It might take them a couple of days to decide whether they like it. Even if they end up not keen on it by itself, they might still like it mixed with Critical Care or baby food.
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Post by degulover21 on Aug 13, 2023 9:11:39 GMT
Snowball likes it, the rest smell it, how much is she allowed?
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Post by savvy on Aug 13, 2023 9:55:39 GMT
If you need her to put weight on, give her about a quarter of a teaspoon. You want her to get enough, but not too much that she ignores other food. Is she still on CC?
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Post by degulover21 on Aug 13, 2023 10:04:59 GMT
She won’t touch much of that now, cos of the peanut butter, just want her to have abit more weight, her eating is fine some mornings she’ll eat 3 nuggets after each other, the other day she had 2 nuggets and then eaten some peanut butter( in one sitting) then she’ll eat though the day but I don’t always see it cos I’m at work, It’s difficult for her now to put weight on x
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Post by savvy on Aug 13, 2023 10:34:38 GMT
Try mixing a little of the CC into the peanut butter when you give it to her. But only mix it when you want her to eat it as it doesn't keep long when its been mixed.
It can be trial and error until you find what she likes.
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Post by degulover21 on Aug 14, 2023 15:04:10 GMT
I mixed it with cc earlier she eat abit she’s had a lazy day today just relaxing. I can tell she’s feeling her age, she seems quite like frail, I was watching her run while out yesterday, seems a lot frail. She’s aging a lot faster than the others, she’s about 7yrs and 3 months old. Tbh I don’t think she’s on another painkiller dose, they told me to give her only 0.03 that doesn’t seem enough
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Post by teemu on Aug 14, 2023 16:35:16 GMT
What painkillers is she getting, and what unit is that 0.03? Some of those painkillers, like meloxicam, are really potent stuff, so even a dosage that seems very small (I've usually been instructed 0.1 milliliters of that, i.e. 1/10 of a single milliliter) is heavy for an animal this small. You could probably ask the vet that prescribed the dosage whether it is possible to increase it, of course.
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Post by degulover21 on Aug 14, 2023 17:46:37 GMT
On the bottle it’s says rheumocan 1.5mg/ml oral suspension for dogs meloxicam 1.5mg/ml
On the box it’s says 1.00 x rheumocam ora suspension for dogs 0.03mls once daily It’s says on the box alleviation of inflammation and pain in both acute and chronic musculoskeletal disorders.
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Post by teemu on Aug 14, 2023 19:04:05 GMT
Ah, okay, that's the usual pain medication that I've also used (and seems to be used most of the time otherwise as well). Just to check the dosage, do you have a 1ml syringe (or other milliliter-scale syringe, one that says whatever ML on it), and you're filling that up to 0.3? If so, that's a large (but still within safe limits) dosage for a degu, and to my understanding it is not possible to increase it much over that. The dosage usually prescribed to mine is lower, but it's for less serious things. But if you feel it's not giving her relief, you should ask the vet about their opinion and whether there are alternatives.
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Post by degulover21 on Aug 14, 2023 21:53:24 GMT
Ah, okay, that's the usual pain medication that I've also used (and seems to be used most of the time otherwise as well). Just to check the dosage, do you have a 1ml syringe (or other milliliter-scale syringe, one that says whatever ML on it), and you're filling that up to 0.3? If so, that's a large (but still within safe limits) dosage for a degu, and to my understanding it is not possible to increase it much over that. The dosage usually prescribed to mine is lower, but it's for less serious things. But if you feel it's not giving her relief, you should ask the vet about their opinion and whether there are alternatives. no she’s only getting 0.03 it’s not even 0.1 does that make sense it’s like a drop x
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Post by teemu on Aug 14, 2023 22:52:43 GMT
Oh, it really is only 0.03ml? Sorry, I thought you were talking about 0.3ml. That is such a tiny amount that it seems hard to even measure without a really small syringe! Just to make doubly sure (I'm sorry if this is annoying, I just want to be totally sure that we are talking about the same thing, before saying anything about medications, since the difference here is really significant), this picture is me holding a one milliliter syringe, and I have 0.03ml of water in it. Does this look about right? If you have a syringe that's larger than 1ml, it would be even less. images2.imgbox.com/1a/07/XdoVqbzR_o.jpgIf it's really 0.03ml, she is getting a dosage that is only 1/3 of what is common for degus. My degus are prescribed 0.1ml of 1.5mg/ml meloxicam every time there is need. I don't think you should increase it without consulting the vet first, but I think you should totally ask your vet about it. Maybe they've determined that her poor health can't withstand normal dosages? It's odd, but I think it is best to ask them before changing it. Can you call them? They should have all the patient information for Snowball, and they can get a comment from the vet.
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Post by degulover21 on Aug 15, 2023 14:36:34 GMT
Oh, it really is only 0.03ml? Sorry, I thought you were talking about 0.3ml. That is such a tiny amount that it seems hard to even measure without a really small syringe! Just to make doubly sure (I'm sorry if this is annoying, I just want to be totally sure that we are talking about the same thing, before saying anything about medications, since the difference here is really significant), this picture is me holding a one milliliter syringe, and I have 0.03ml of water in it. Does this look about right? If you have a syringe that's larger than 1ml, it would be even less. images2.imgbox.com/1a/07/XdoVqbzR_o.jpgIf it's really 0.03ml, she is getting a dosage that is only 1/3 of what is common for degus. My degus are prescribed 0.1ml of 1.5mg/ml meloxicam every time there is need. I don't think you should increase it without consulting the vet first, but I think you should totally ask your vet about it. Maybe they've determined that her poor health can't withstand normal dosages? It's odd, but I think it is best to ask them before changing it. Can you call them? They should have all the patient information for Snowball, and they can get a comment from the vet. yes that about right my syringe is the same one… I took her to the vet few months ago and they couldn’t find anything wrong with her, they are putting it down to old age, she’s 7yr and 3 months. I’ll ring and ask the vet or I’ll email him. I think they gave it to her cos he was was unsure if she had arthritis or joint pain , cos when she’s jumping up things she grabs the end and slips down. I notice she get tired and stuff during summer she did last summer, like it’s allergies
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Post by teemu on Aug 15, 2023 15:24:29 GMT
The problems jumping could be down to just her old age. It's unfortunately inevitable that animals lose fitness and muscles as they grow older, so it might simply be that she doesn't really understand that she's not as spry any more. You'll want to make sure that she can get by in the cage without having to exert herself or jump. Younger degus get anywhere they please without any issues, but older ones can really struggle with even small jumps. It's the same with heat. Younger animals can put up with hot summers and all that much better, while older ones just don't have as much stamina and endurance.
Sometimes it is hard to say how much of what is going on with an older animal is due to something acute, and how much is simply wear that come with age. If you think she is in pain, and the vets say that her dosage can be increased, you should of course try it. But make sure that she can get by without having to do any challenging jumping or climbing in her environment. Since pain is a warning sign to not to do something, pain medication can cause animals with a condition to ignore it, possibly making it worse. You should of course try to ease any pains she has, but you'll want to also make sure there are no situations (that can be avoided) where that pain would be an issue.
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Post by degulover21 on Aug 15, 2023 18:14:13 GMT
I understand what your saying, just I’ve had her since she was 6 months old, I just can’t believe how fast time has gone honestly and that before I know it I’ll have to say goodbye I’ve had some ups and down but I just hope she’s had a really good life I do worry if I give them the best life sometimes, I have 3 Degus, I used to have 4 but she’s was poorly and had to be put to sleep at 3yrs and 6 months had her since she was 3 months i was heartbroken still am she’s been gone 4 years this month, the other 3 are snowball, hazel and fudge all over the age of 7 but fudge is like honestly completely different it’s like she hasn’t aged at all.
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Post by teemu on Aug 15, 2023 18:50:55 GMT
I know how you feel. I used to have rats, but their lifespan is only 2 to 3 years (and in my experience it's often closer to 2 than 3). Over time it started to really weigh on me how unfair it felt to have dear family members who are with us only for such a short while. With degus it is longer, but that time will still feel short, looking back. Their life happens in a different timespan entirely. It feels cruel how animals like this can't stay with us.
I've often been comforted by the thought that even if it is a short while for us, it is a lifetime for them. For them, these years will never have been a short time. And while it's easy to second-guess whether you've done all you can, in my experience it's almost always the people who do care, and do worry about things like that, who have done all they can. In a perfect world we'd all know exactly what we should do and do everything perfectly, but in this world doing the best we know to do, and being genuine about trying to do so, is as much as can be reasonably asked from anyone.
(And, speaking just concretely here, you've gotten three degus all to a senior age. That means you've done very many things correctly. These are exotic and demanding pets, and the sad fact is that it is very unlikely unless you actually care to put in the effort.)
I know it's not an easy thing to do, but try not think about how much time you have left. It will happen when it happens, and nothing in this world can sadly change that. Focus on making the best of the time there is, and making sure everyone will be as comfortable and happy as possible. It sounds like you're doing a lot for Snowball, I think.
How is her food situation at the moment? Is she getting the peanut butter/CC once a day, or more times?
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Post by savvy on Aug 15, 2023 21:08:20 GMT
We've been with you from the beginning with your degus and you have come so far from the worried newbie you were all those years ago. I can't believe its been so long!
But you have sought help when you needed it, provided the best food, housing and vet care, given then love, affection and the best life you could.
As teemu says, you've gotten them to senior age and I think Snowball aging faster than the others is down to genetics and there's nothing you can do about that.
Enjoy whatever time you have left with them, nobody knows how long that will be, we can't predict the future, just enjoy each day and love them.
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Post by degulover21 on Aug 15, 2023 23:42:15 GMT
Thanks guys means a lot reading your kind words put tears in my eyes, I just can’t believe how fast the years have gone but you are right I can’t stop them from aging but I can give them the best life possible. I know I spend a lot on them and try and help them anyway I can. I know people think small pets like Degus are not the same has dog or cat,but they are I love all our pets but I can’t help but think I love the girls more maybe because I’ve been their support all their life and I have a bond with them like no other. I love them so much it’s crazy how something so small can break our hearts. But like you say snowball is aging faster but snowball and fudge was in the same cage when I got them, I brought fudge to join hazel and coco but they wouldn’t accept her so the next day I went back to the pet shop and got snowball, she was in the cage with fudge at the pet shop and 2 others. I’m glad they didn’t accept fudge otherwise I wouldn’t of had snowball 🥹 anyway enough venting.. snowball has been doing well with her cc and peanut mixed I make it not to thick or thin just in the middle. She’s been having 2 lots one when I’m home from work and one before I jump into bed. I give her has much has she wants till she’s full cos I don’t like the thought of her being hungry.
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Post by degulover21 on Aug 18, 2023 11:36:47 GMT
A video of Snowball and you can see all the rest of the girls let me know what you think about snowball does she look stiff etc youtube.com/shorts/E7rGQlCNDE8?feature=shareSorry about the messy bedroom. It’s always a mess after a clean
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Post by teemu on Aug 18, 2023 16:56:13 GMT
Her posture is quite elevated, and she has clearly lost weight, as you've mentioned. I've seen similar posture in some of my older rats, especially those that have lost a lot of weight. I'm not sure what causes them to tippy-toe like that, but it does seem to be a thing. However, she does look lively and does not seem opposed to moving around. If I was just shown the video without any other knowledge and told that it's a quite old animal, I would probably not think there was anything out of the ordinary happening. So I'd say that there is some stiffness there, but that it could be rather understandable.
(Of course, you are more familiar with her and her demeanor, so I naturally can't say anything conclusive from just this. One thing I'd say for sure is that if you haven't done so yet, you should definitely ensure that she can move around the cage easily without having to jump or make hard climbs.)
I notice that she's squinting her left eye somewhat, and the fur around it seems somewhat messed up. Have you noticed her suffering from eye irritation?
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Post by moletteuk on Aug 18, 2023 19:39:09 GMT
(I think Snowball has a longstanding eye/ ear issue, Teemu.)
I agree she's holding herself up off the ground, but other than that she looks good in herself. I think it's worth speaking to the vet about increasing her painkiller dose, when did you last take her to the vet?
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