Really sick degu

[andersonesp]

Ok so i'm in desperate need of some help here!
This weekend my two degus were left in the care of a trusted neighbour (who is experienced with small pets but obviously couldn't house sit 24/7) while i went away for a weekend holiday, before I left both degus were fine and getting along.
I come home to find hodge (the smaller degu) not moving, one eye swollen shut, covered in bites and i mean literally covered...he was at deaths door no doubt. They have obviously had a massive massive fight with the smaller one coming off extremely bad.
Not one to wait around me and my girlfriend took him to the only vet open at night on a bank holiday.
He is obviously stressed and she highlighted the extent of his wounds he ended up needed 2 injections, one anti biotics the other anti inflammatory.
He is back home now and it is touch and go we're trying not to stress him out, the goos have been separated, and we're trying to get him to eat and drink without stressing him out and without too much handling. Does anyone have any advice on how to handle this delicate situation and try to get our degu to pull through, getting him to eat is hard, we have been helping him drink with a syringe and by using water in an egg cup(heart breaking to watch).
We need to get him to drink and eat and keep his spirits up while he recovers, we have been reassured his wounds won't kill him, however the stress might :/ Really don't want to lose our degu and want to do as much as possible to help.
Feel so guilty for not being there as I'm sure me or my girlfriend would have noticed something sooner and sorted it.
Please help
Thanks very much.

[Jaiye]

So sorry to hear this =(

When Thai got got by a dog couple weeks ago, she wasnt injured as such, but was in shock (like your little goo probably is) and refused to eat or drink for 3 days.... I kept their corner of the cage quiet, kept the snugglesafe heated up, and didn't do anything to upset her or stress her out further.

I did go up to the cage (slowly and talking softly to let them know I was approaching) a few times a day and offered her the water bottle and soggy bran flakes and her favourite treats, but never forced her to eat things, just left the treats under her nose and made sure there was enough food near her bed so she could eat whenever she wanted.

Just takes time I guess. Just keep your patience and dont push it with the little goo. Give him time to sleep and recouperate.

Hope Hodge gets well soon!

[lorrainekuk]

Oh so sorry to hear your news - poor goo :-( All you can do if keep him calm, warm and offer water and food as often as you can. If he is used to being stroked and handled stroke him as often as you can.It's heartbreaking to see them ill and upset , the other thing he will be missing is the comfort of another goo but the risk of letting the other one near may be too much? I really hope he pulls though x

[deguconvert]

Keeping him warm . . . but not hot . . . will be helpful, just as Jaiye said. Keeping him emotionally secure is a hard one though. If there is any way to carry him with you . . . I would suggest that you try that. The warmth of your body would be sufficient for him, and the sense of you being near, your scent, your sounds, and soothing strokes, I think would help to give him a feeling of security. If you had a sling type of thing that could go over your shoulder, and also maybe be secured around your waist so that it isn't flopping about, then he could have a towel laid in the bottom to curl up in, and would also be able to climb up and have a look about if he wants to, or feels able. You will also have him handy to check on him and encourage him to have a drink and something to eat. I think you might try out the soggy bran flake idea that Jaiye used, and see if he takes to that. Have a look in the Feeding and Treats board, there is a stickied thread in there that lists lots of different items that can be used to entice appetite in a degu. The Health board has a food recipe for sick degus that one member on here says is so good that she herself can't resist eating it when she makes it.

I hope he makes a full recovery for you.

[andersonesp]

Thank you for your replies they are very much appreciated.
I can't stroke him much atm because of the extent of his injuries but he does seem slightly better as he is moving a bit more, i was really worried he wasn't going to eat at all but just went to check on him again and his food has gone so he must be eating a little bit, as a precaution i've been making a watery paste made from water and degu pellets to feed him as well.
I will try as you say make him feel secure and bring him out to sit with me, i was going to go the opposite way and not handle him at all as to avoid any stress but from what you are saying it sounds as if my company might keep his spirits up.
Might take him for another check up at the vets tomorrow just to make sure he is recovering but i am scared that will stress him out as the last vet really upset him to the point he bit her.
thank you again for the support and i will post on his condition good or bad within the next few days.