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Post by deguconvert on May 31, 2011 19:24:01 GMT
I just talked with the Exotic Veterinary Clinic here and they told me there is an exotic specialist in Halifax. Their clinic name is Parrots to Ferrets, but they didn't have a phone number for them. That was all they could tell me, but I hope they are close enough to be a resource for you. OY!!! I see from reading back that you live in Halifax . . . wish I could reach you to let you know!
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Post by michele23 on May 31, 2011 19:34:08 GMT
Hi DC, That's actually one of the places I've been going to, they just have a different name now. They've been helpful with the short term solutions but haven't been able to come up with something that could work long term. I just wish there was some kind of stitch that could stay in place forever, but apparently there's not.
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Post by michele23 on May 31, 2011 23:42:30 GMT
Just got back from the vet..not good news They said that the prolapse was quite bad (which we knew) and there were the beginnings of some small ulcers on the sheath, which had potential to get infected. Also, since he only urinated once in 30 hours, they figured his kidneys might start to shut down soon. They felt that there is an underlying issue, and that if they did the surgery again the outcome would be the same. So we opted not for surgery. We had the choice of bringing him back home, but the vet felt that the prolapse was causing him a lot more pain and discomfort than he was letting on, and that it would only get worse, and affecting his quality of life. We had to agree. Then I had to make the hardest decision of my life- to let my little Pumpkin go in peace. So we did. I am so heartbroken right now, I can't tell you. I have his body wrapped in a towel on my chest right now, and wish he would wake up and be all better. I think we did the right thing, but I can't help feeling a bit guilty too, because what if I could have done something more? This is extra hard because he was our last little goo- we had him almost 6 years. His brother and sister died in 2010 and 2009. I don't know what I'm going to do with the huge cage we built them. It makes me sad to see it empty, and it will leave a big void in my living room. Soooo sooo sad right now. Nite nite little Pumpkin.
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Post by deguconvert on May 31, 2011 23:48:03 GMT
Oh Honey!! I am so, soooo sorry! I can feel your grief and I am crying too. I will be thinking of you, sending you hugs and wishing I could be closer to help. I am so deeply sorry.
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Post by NightwishRaven999 on Jun 1, 2011 3:25:30 GMT
Michele, I am so sorry to hear about your degu. Most of us here, know how it feels to lose a close pet, so we can understand your grief. Although we know that our animals will eventually pass away, we are never truly prepared for the moment.
I am sure Pumpkin lived a wonderful life under your care. We will be thinking of you in the upcoming days.
Take care Jordan
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Post by kovu07 on Jun 1, 2011 13:29:36 GMT
I'm really sorry But at least you know you did everything you could for Pumpkin.
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Post by michele23 on Jun 1, 2011 17:28:54 GMT
Thanks for your kind words everyone, I still can't help feeling guilty though, even though I know the outcome wasn't good. I had like an anxiety attack last night knowing he wasn't alive in his cage when he could have been, thanks to me.... Made it very hard to sleep. At least I know he is with Honeydew and Coco now....I miss all my goos
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Post by kovu07 on Jun 1, 2011 17:36:23 GMT
You shouldn't feel guilty there was nothing more you could have done for the little guy, I bet he had an amazing life and i'm sure he's at peace now. Hugs
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Post by moletteuk on Jun 1, 2011 18:14:45 GMT
You did everything you could, it does seem likely he had other issues, and he reached a decent age, so try not to feel too bad.
Rest in peace Pumpkin xx
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sam99
Burrowing Degu
Posts: 126
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Post by sam99 on Jun 1, 2011 21:54:13 GMT
michele23.... please be reassured that you did everything possible and I'm so sorry to hear of your loss :-( I have to also say a thankyou as reading this thread has helped me out too. I am dealing with a prolapsed penis on a guinea pig following a castration a week ago. Reading this thread (as well as much internet searching) has helped me make his life a little easier and more comfortable.
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Post by kovu07 on Jun 1, 2011 21:57:06 GMT
I hope your guinea pig is ok sam.
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sam99
Burrowing Degu
Posts: 126
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Post by sam99 on Jun 1, 2011 22:02:25 GMT
I'm sure he will be fine, sadly it's one of the risks of castration that normally solves itself within a number of weeks, but help can be required to stop it getting 'sore'. Apologies for the inappropriate wording that was instantly amended.... 'thingy' is so much nicer :-)
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Post by kovu07 on Jun 1, 2011 22:04:35 GMT
I'm glad you're able to help prevent it from getting sore, and thingy is a perfect way of describing it
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Post by deguconvert on Jun 2, 2011 0:58:43 GMT
Michele . . . yes, you had to make the decision whether to allow the Vet to euthanize, or to take him home again where the pain of his dilemma would have increased, and had he suffered a ruptured bladder, he would have had an agonizingly slow death. I know the pain of this decision is tearing you apart inside, but realize that he was most regretfully beyond any human ability to save. His injury was growing worse, his body could not take another anesthetic, he was beginning to go into organ failure, and his time was drawing near. As desperately as you wanted him to live, it very sadly wasn't going to be. You truly chose the kindest way for him, and really for yourself as well. The self condemnation you would have faced had he come home and ruptured his bladder, bleeding extensively, in agony, and you completely helpless to remedy, would have wrecked you even more. Honey, you did the best thing. You fought hard in all ways to turn this around, putting out at great expense to yourselves in the great hope that he would be fully restored to good health. You are to be commended. Give yourself grace, love, you have been most kind and loving, even to this moment.
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Post by michele23 on Jun 2, 2011 2:33:37 GMT
Thank you all so much again for your kind words and support, it really helps a lot. It's true that we can never truly prepare ourselves for our pet's passing, even though we know it will eventually happen. Just trying to remember the good times now. Sam, I hope your guinea pig's issue resolves itself! Thank you all again.
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Post by tigger43 on May 17, 2015 19:26:36 GMT
Zag my 4 year old has now had a prolapse 3 times since 13th feb. The latest being yesterday 16th may. I treated him with petroleum jelley and called the vets to book him in for a check for Monday morning. When i came home from work much to my surprise it had gone back in!!!....thank god...my question is about castration and if i opt for him to have it done will he be ok? Its a constant worry for me and iam.checking him all the time now. I just don't know what to do for the best and how it will affect him. He is normally a happy lil goo face and even when poorly just gets on with things unlike his brother zig who is a sulky bum. Any advice would be great. Thank you
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Post by Maravilla on May 17, 2015 20:25:58 GMT
So far, the only degu I had with a penis prolapse was a neutered one. So this does not help as also neutered degus can continue to mount other degus. After the third prolapse our vet put one stitch to prevent the penis to come out. It actually helped and even after removing the suture it never happened again. This might be different in your case, but having him neutered probably would not solve the problem either.
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Post by animalmadchloe on May 18, 2015 6:36:58 GMT
So sorry for your loss reading this made me cry, I have also had some experience with prolapses But not to that extent, I think you made the right and kindest decision xxx
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Post by tigger43 on May 18, 2015 7:58:00 GMT
He had a stitch put in on 25 th Apr which held for 3 weeks (until sat just gone) but it only came out about 5-6mm so i cleaned it, which he didn't like, n put the petroleum jelley on..its looks so wrong by the way!!! And when I came home from work it had actually gone back in. But the cone looks quite wide so fear it will happen again. My vet suzi is pretty good and has an exotic vet to seek advice off so we are booked in for a chat n a check at 0930 today. Il let u know how it goes. Thank you everyone x
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Post by moletteuk on May 18, 2015 10:41:36 GMT
Does the vet have any idea why the penis is prolapsing, eg have they checked for swelling in the abdomen? Does the penis still look healthy? Our moderator Saddlers has had a couple of degus with prolapsed penis as post op complication from castration, the swelling caused by the operation in the lower abdomen seems to cause the penis to get pushed out. His vet provided Canaural canine ear drops to apply to the penis as it has antibiotic and anti-inflammatory properties, so you could ask your vet about trying this.
For what reason were you considering having him neutered?
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