Rosie is sneezing

[pappy1264]

I think I need to get her into see a vet. I have noticed she has been sneezing (not nonstop, but enough to notice it) and she is resting more then usual, too. Her teeth don't look bad to me (but hard to see, she does not like to be held). She is thinner then Violet, and they used to be the same size. She is still eating. I won't be able to get her in until the weekend, can I do anything in the meantime? Or should I see if another vet is available? Does this sound urgent?

[Cherpi]

It doesn't seem that bad, my Joe sneezes now and again... he's thinner then Olly but that's because olly hogs the food, maybe give them a call but don't worry too much.

[pappy1264]

They have a snuggle safe, which they lie on. I have not changed (as in different type), I change their cage once a week. When she sneezes, she sort of 'wipes' her nose (although I cannot see any fluid or anything). I also noticed today, she seems to kind of be biting on her left frong foot, although it doesn't look different from the other one (as far as any swelling, cuts, etc). Again, not constant. I have their cage near a window, but there are no drafts (they like to lie in the sun in the morning). They have been here for a couple of months now.

[deguconvert]

If I were you, I would gently take her out and put my ear to her chest wall to listen to her breathing. If you hear any crackling or wheezing, you absolutely need to get her to see your vet. Respiratory infections can become fatal in very short order in rodents, and degus are often difficult to treat for RI's. I would be keeping a close eye on her, especially since you have noticed a drop in her body size. If you can put your hands on a kitchen scale and weigh her and your other girl, it will let you know how much loss she has already had. Weightloss is often a HUGE indicator of illness in degus and really shouldn't be ignored. To be honest, I see a red flag with what you have described, and I would be looking to see if there is another vet you can see, or if they can't move things forward for you at your vets. Even if you can just walk in with her.

If there is no way to move things forward, get some Olbas Oil, you can dab it around their cage, but make sure that you are doing it on surfaces that they cannot reach . . . like the bottom side of their ledges etc. If she is beginning to labor to breath, get a bowl and put a small amount of boiling water in it, add a few drops of Olbas Oil, put a straining bowl over top of that, put the degu into the straining bowl, and gently keep her in there for about 5-10 minutes with a cloth over top. When you remove her, make sure she is dry and warm . . . do NOT let her become chilled. This can be very helpful in opening her breathing passages, but it is crucial that you not let her get a chill. In fact, if you can tolerate having her inside your shirt, pop her in your shirt for a while just to make sure she is good.

Let us know how Rosie is getting on, please.

[pappy1264]

Her breathing does not seem effected, and yes, I think it is more then it was before (but today, isn't as bad or as much as yesterday. Could the bag of bedding have just been more dusty? Although why would it effect one more then the other? I will see if I can listen to her chest (not easy, as they are not very fond of handling!)

[pappy1264]

Beginning to think it was the bedding.....she is not sneezing today. I use carefresh and always have with them. Wonder if the last bag was just more dusty? Am keeping a close eye on her (will try to get a weight on both of them....not going to be easy...lol)

[sarahh]

Some bags of carefresh do seem to be dusty sometimes I have noticed that. Lol weighing degus great fun isn't it they don't keep still little monkeys.