When to take a cough seriously?

[s]

Hello all! My degu Daewoo (3yo) has been coughing a bit (usually just a sharp exhale though the nose - not a chesty cough) for the past 24 hours, but is otherwise fine (behaving normally, eating normally, no snotty nose). 

I'm wondering what the threshold should be for action on this. I don't want him to undergo a scary vet trip unnecessarily but I also don't want to risk anything worsening. 

Do little coughs often pass naturally? 

I will try steam and olbas oil as advised in another thread. 

Any advice would be appreciated! Thank you. 

-S

[teemu]

I've had degus who have been somewhat sniffly for a time without issue. If he seems to be totally normal otherwise, it is likely fine to monitor the situation for now. If it seems like his condition is getting worse in some way (lethargic, no appetite, trouble breathing etc), then he needs to be seen by a vet. I would not hesitate if it seems like he is feeling at all poorly, since those issues can progress quickly. But if he does seem totally normal, just keep an eye on him for now.

Unless he starts feeling ill and showing clear symptoms of a flu or other illness, it is also likely that a vet wouldn't really have much to say yet. Hopefully nothing will appear.

Just to make sure, have you cleaned (around the house or in their cage) just now with any chemicals, or has there been anything else that might cause an irritation? Or if there is a draft, it could also explain why he's gotten some respiratory issues. If it seems like there could be some external reason, the first thing would of course be to address it and see if it helps.

[yasmin]

Keep an eye on him. As Teemu advised, if it gets worse or if other symptoms appear, he should see a vet. A vet can listen to his chest to see if he has a respiratory ailment that requires antibiotics. An Xray would show if there is a heart issue or if upper molar roots are invading his nasal cavity.

When I take my degus to the vet (It is a 45- minute drive from where I live), I put them in a small carrier. I line the carrier with a small towel with several layers of paper towels on top so that they can hide if they want. I then put the carrier into a big box with a lid. I think it makes the actual travelling to the vet less scary for them. Each degu is different when it comes to whether they freak out with the vet or not. You can't really predict that. Some have no issue at all and will even let the vet put a scope in their mouths when he checks their teeth. However, I have one that freaks out every time and has bitten the vet pretty badly. He gets sedated whenever he needs a check over.

[s]

Thank you for your advice!

He's still coughing but I think the frequency has decreased somewhat. He's still totally fine in every other aspect.

We've had construction work on out building for the past couple of weeks so maybe something wafted through that he's sensitive to...


Last time he went to the vet in winter, I wrapped his carry cage in my fluffy pajamas. He always just freezes up out of anxiety and won't move for the entire time he's out of the apartment. Which is great for the vet because she can do whatever she wants with him! lol

Anyway I'll keep an eye on him for any behaviour changes!

[s]

His coughing has pretty much stopped now! A vet trip was not necessary after all. Thanks again!

[bouncy]

Glad he's better!

It sounds like a bit of building dust got in the way.

[teemu]

Great news! Sometimes these things just appear and disappear with no definite explanation and no real consequence, and it's always good when they do.