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Post by jennyjoy on Aug 23, 2012 6:41:34 GMT
Hi Everyone,
So when I got Ron and Harry, Ron was already missing part of his tail. However, it is now infected - I took him to the vet and the vet has Ron on Baytril. The vet says that if there's no improvement then he's going to have cut above the infected portion of the tail. Now this means that Ron would have to be put under anesthetic and this scares me after what happened to my dear, sweet little Magoo. R.I.P. Magoo. Plus the vet suggested I dip his tail in warm water for 5 minutes, twice a day and I'm sure some of you know that little goos don't like to be held or constricted in any way! I can maybe hold him 10 seconds at a time to dip his tail. So my question is, is there anything I can put on his tail to help with the infection? I have a friend who suggested aloe vera or even hydrogen peroxide but I think the peroxide would hurt!! I really don't want Ron to have surgery. Oh and the other day Ron lost one of his top front teeth (it looks like it broke off as I did find the tooth)...is there anything I should be watching out for while it grows back?
Thanks everyone,
Jennifer
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Post by Kins on Aug 23, 2012 8:19:35 GMT
Hmm, I'm not sure of what to suggest for this one I'm afraid.
Another member on here, pixierodentrescue, has just had to take her goo to the vets for a tail amputation under general anaesthetic and it all went well. If it needs to be done, then it needs to be done.
Hopefully though the baytril will work it's magic. Are you managing to 'administer' the baytril successfully?
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Post by jenowuk on Aug 23, 2012 19:20:36 GMT
Baytril is the best bet. We had a goo last year who had to have his tail amputated, and I know it's scary. The only other thing we were recommended to do, both before the amputation and afterwards, is wash the affected area in warm salted water. This doesn't take as long as dipping the tail, so you might find it easier if he won't stay still! Good luck.
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Post by winic1 on Aug 23, 2012 19:42:08 GMT
perhaps instead of dipping the tail, you could blot at it with the warm salted water? just keep sponging the area while feeding him treats or something to keep him nearby? Use something soft like a cotton ball dipped in the water, all wet and soggy, so that the water easily runs across it as you dab, it shouldn't be too hard or firm that way so it won't hurt, maybe he won't mind.
keep a small towel or paper towel handy to blot up the puddle you create as you go.
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Post by Karma on Aug 23, 2012 23:33:33 GMT
If you can find a product called Vetericyn near you - it will help. Basically is a modified bleach solution that is buffered (so it doesn't sting, and yes that is true I use it more on me than on the animals!) that have reactive oxygen species that destroy the cell walls of bacteria, viruses and fungi without damaging the host's cells. It is expensive but works well on everything - people (although not on the label because they have their own human product - identical ingridents and amounts), dogs, cats, small animals, birds, horses, reptiles etc. I've personally had it cure ringworm that was resistant to 2 different creams (one prescription high dose) used over 6 weeks and my doctor wanted me to use oral anti-fungals next; vetericyn cleared it 100% in 3 days. Let a full thickeness bite wound in a hamster (right through all the muscle layers on the stomach) close in under a week and completely healed it in 3. The company website is under maintence, so here is a little bit of info I could find. vetmedicine.about.com/od/veterinaryqa/a/Vetericyn.htm |
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Post by pixierodentrescue on Aug 25, 2012 17:31:01 GMT
Hi, we did just have to have a tail amputation, and poor big gooey really doesn't have much left now at all.
She's on Baytril for infection, and its become a little "inappropriate word" now, but the main problem is how little tail she does have left, rather than the infection itself. (as so much of her skin was dead they couldnt pull as much skin as they normally would together and she only has the large top vertebra of her tail left)
For keeping it clean we were advised NOT to bathe it, for the dissolvable stitches so we've just lightly cleaned with cottonwool buds and salt solution.
Hope this helps?
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Post by jennyjoy on Aug 30, 2012 17:39:17 GMT
Thank you everyone for your advice. Ron's tail still hasn't improved so he is scheduled for surgery on September 4th and I'm terrified of how the anesthetic is going to affect his little body. I guess I'm basing this on little Magoo, who was sick and really low in weight and about 5-6 years old. With everything that happened to my little Magoo, I had to do what was best for him and have him put down. I'm trying to be optimistic but it's hard. I hope everything goes well.
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Post by deguconvert on Aug 30, 2012 18:00:17 GMT
Aww, love! I'll be thinking of you!! Do let us know how things are going?
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Post by moletteuk on Aug 30, 2012 19:31:37 GMT
Is he on Baytril twice a day? this is said to be more effective than once a day. I've never heard of soaking an infection before, I think dabbing with salted, cooled boiled water should be sufficient, but aloe gel should be safe and the Vetericyn Karma mentions sounds good.
How old is Ron, is he a good weight and otherwise healthy? If so, I think there is no reason to be overly concerned about the GA, although of course we all worry about medical issues with our beloved degus.
With the broken tooth, make sure he has plenty to chew on to keep the opposing tooth OK, keep an eye out that he is managing to eat normally. Could you work out a reason for it breaking? Does he have plenty of calcium in the diet? Good sources of calcium are dandelions and fennel seeds.
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Post by jennyjoy on Aug 31, 2012 0:30:51 GMT
The vet only said once a day but he's already been on it for 4 weeks now, so I don't know if I should increase it to twice a day and cancel his surgery for now to see if there's an improvement??? Or just go ahead with the surgery now???
Ron & Harry are almost 2 years old and Ron weighs 209...his weight did go up from 192 as soon as I put him on the Baytril. Ron is very active & otherwise seems very healthy (as well as his brother).
As for his tooth...I'm not sure - I don't know if he caught it on something and was startled?? But I'll definitely increase the calcium in their diets! Ron is eating just fine - pellets and hay and has plenty of wood to chew on.
I have the two degus and two chinchillas and I love them all so very much. I just want the best for them!
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Post by moletteuk on Aug 31, 2012 10:32:15 GMT
If he's been on baytril for 4 weeks then once or twice a day shouldn't make that much difference. If you are desperate to try to avoid the surgery, you could ask the vet about swabbing a sample of the infection, testing it and then using a more specific antibiotic. A tail amputation is pretty straightforward though and he's not at any extra risk from being old or too young. Talk your concerns over with the vet, it can help for them to understand your priorities between quickest, safest & cheapest treatment.
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Post by jennyjoy on Sept 2, 2012 23:13:56 GMT
Hello Again,
So the vet knows of my concerns...as my concerns are more about Ron being under GA. I'm definitely still going ahead with the tail amputation as it needs to be done - the end of his tail just doesn't look good at all.
My questions now are: Ron & Harry are brothers and with me taking Ron to the vet - it'll be the longest they've ever been apart... should I be overly concerned about this causing a lot of stress with the degus? After the surgery, should I keep Ron separate from Harry for a day or two? With Ron's recovery, is it ok that he still runs around in the shredded aspen shavings or should it be paper towel? What should I be doing to provide the best care for Ron after his surgery? Please any information is welcomed and I do appreciate any info that's given to me.
I'm still nervous but the surgery definitely needs to be done.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 3, 2012 14:02:18 GMT
Aw, bless you.  Unfortunately I can't offer much help in the knowledge department but I can offer internet hugs and reassurance. So here's an internet hug. Oh and I'm sure someone said on here about taking a friend with him to the vets but this may not be the best idea considering its not just a small checkup. Sorry I can't offer much else but good luck  |
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Post by moletteuk on Sept 3, 2012 16:40:54 GMT
I'm glad you've had a talk with the vet The separation depends on their relationship. Basically it's best to get them back together ASAP, but you have to weigh this against Harry preventing Ron resting or them picking away at the wound. If you do need to separate them for a day or two after Ron comes home, you should keep them within sight and smell of each other. I'm sure the vet will give you any special after care instructions. I think it depends how clean their habits are and how well wrapped the wound is, as to whether to switch to paper bedding. My best advice is to keep a close eye on Ron and both of them after you put them back together, and then you can spot and sort anything that crops up ASAP. Is it still tomorrow? Very best of luck, let us know how it goes x |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 3, 2012 17:07:27 GMT
I'm agreeing with molette as she seems extremely knowledgeable Definitely let us know how it goes as I think we are all on the edge of our seats Best of luck xxx |
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Post by jenowuk on Sept 3, 2012 18:22:11 GMT
When Bill had his tail amputated, we were recommended to keep him away from his cage mate. We tried some supervised visits, but had to stop them as Bob kept trying to groom Bill's stump, causing it to bleed. We did however keep the cages next to each other, so they could see and smell each other.
We were also recommended to put paper towels down in his cage, to keep any dust or grit out of the wound.
Good luck.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 4, 2012 17:53:20 GMT
Poor Bob, he was just trying to look after Bill but he made it worse  Hope all goes well, Tainted xx |
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Post by jennyjoy on Sept 5, 2012 0:49:07 GMT
So Ron's surgery went well...I'll feel better once the anesthetic is out of his system. He seems very happy and he's running around! I did let Ron and Harry run around in their playpen together...it was supervised by me sitting in there to watch them very closely. Harry would start to get close to Ron's tail and I just gently pushed him away from it. I will be keeping Ron in a separate cage with paper towel only but I'm not sure how long I should do this for. When would it be good to put him back in his original cage with Harry and the aspen shavings? I really don't want his tail to get infected again. Oh and Ron's temp cage is placed next to Harry for the time being.
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Post by deguconvert on Sept 5, 2012 3:56:36 GMT
Well . . . I would think that a few days, 3-4, would be enough time, and that if you give them play time out together and do as you descibe above, that things should work out OK. If his tail is looking good, maybe you can put him back in even sooner.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 5, 2012 5:19:56 GMT
So happy the surgery went well! Hopefully soon Harry and Ron can get back to normal again!
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