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Post by coopz99 on Nov 21, 2015 17:44:42 GMT
Hi, i have posted on this forum before and always received sound advice so i thought i would trouble you with my latest issue
I have a 9 and a half year old degu, and she has struggled to keep her balance while walking for around 4 months now. The vet attributed this to an incident where she was stood on, bruising but not breaking her legs. She is happy and eats well, has a healthy heart (vet confirmed this today) and enjoys being stroked. On thursday her balance got much worse and she is scratching her left ear constantly. The vet cleaned her ears out today as they were full of wax and clipped her back claws but there is little to no improvement. I was looking on the internet for similar issues and some people have mentioned mites or an infection. Does anyone have experience of this or the symptoms i have mentioned. I know it is most likely to be an issue with her age and the outlook is not good but i have to eliminate other possible causes before i put her down and the vets dont reopen till monday so im loosing my mind.
Thanks in advance
Nick
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Post by yasmin on Nov 21, 2015 18:04:49 GMT
Wow – 9.5 years is an amazing ripe old age. Kudos to you.
The only experience I have is with my degu Lilac that, near her end also at an elderly age would scratch one ear incessantly. She had been diagnosed a year and a half earlier with molar roots growing into her nasal cavity (and down past her jawline). She was on Metacam every second day to treat pain and inflammation, and on 14-day long rounds of antibiotic treatment whenever there was any indication of infection (caused by the growth of the molar roots). I thought – but it was never confirmed – that there was some sort of inflammation happening because it seemed to show up just as the Metacam had worn off, and resolve itself when she got her next dose of Metacam.
Is your degu on any medication? Has she had an x-ray to determine the state of her molar roots?
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Post by deguconvert on Nov 21, 2015 19:29:22 GMT
I was wondering about an X-ray as well, thinking that if there is root overgrowth that it may be interfering with the ear in some way.
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Post by moletteuk on Nov 21, 2015 20:20:32 GMT
I think there are quite a few possibilities, infection, mites, tumour, dental issue, maybe something else. Did the vet talk through possibilities with you? I wonder if the vet would have seen an ear infection or if it could be too deep in the ear to see. Did they look for mites, I would have thought the vet would see mites or skin irritation if he was closely inspecting and cleaning the ear? I think the age of the degu and no previous dental issues make root overgrowth less likely than usual. I think unless the vet saw signs of anything else, my first choice would just be to try a course of antibiotics and maybe painkiller too, you don't have much to lose. If she is desperately uncomfortable, maybe you have an emergency vet service tied to your practice that you could phone, see if they will give you the meds without another consultation until Monday (since you just saw the vet today).
Do you have a heatpad you could keep her comfy and sleepy on in the meantime?
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Post by coopz99 on Nov 22, 2015 20:55:32 GMT
Hi, sorry for the late response to your helpful replies. I checked your responses last night and it made me feel more hopeful about possible avenues of action. I have been with her almost all day and she has improved slightly. She is not on any medication, she hasn't had an x ray but i will ask and the vet didn't really talk through any possible causes as I think she assumed that the ear problem was due to the build up of wax and any problems with mobility were due to age, which is clearly possible. She didn't look for mites as a result and I don't know if you would have seen them while cleaning the ear. I have put her cage next to the radiator but im a bit worried about uneven surfaces as I don't want her to fall over. I have been applying vaseline to her skin as it seems quite dry and the vet said it might be bothering her, I can't really touch her ear though as it bothers her. Thanks for all your responses and I will ask the vet about them. I will be asking for some antibiotics and painkillers and then see from there.
thanks again
Nick
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Post by moletteuk on Nov 23, 2015 11:15:40 GMT
Can you alter the cage so it is safer and easier for her?
Just go back to the vet and discuss possibilities and options given the loss of balance and pain, they always start with the simplest thing, the wax in this case, and work forward with each bit of new information, it's often trial and error.
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Post by coopz99 on Nov 26, 2015 22:51:03 GMT
Hi everyone, unfortunately it got to the point where her quality of life was suffering and I decided to have her put down. The vet couldn't find anything wrong with her but did give her antibiotics and pain killers but she did not improve noticeably. I tried to make her comfortable beforehand and due to her feet being sore, as she was dragging herself around, to change her bedding from wood shavings to a piece of fabric and ripped up tissue paper which saw the redness and soreness die down but the overriding problem remained and I decided that it was the best thing for her. I always wanted her to die in her sleep but I couldn't put her through the discomfort in order to save me the difficult decision. Thanks for your suggests and advice.
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Post by bouncy on Nov 27, 2015 0:36:33 GMT
Sorry for your loss
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Post by moletteuk on Nov 27, 2015 9:59:08 GMT
I'm sorry for your loss.
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Post by yasmin on Nov 27, 2015 19:46:32 GMT
My sincere condolences. I hope you find comfort in knowing that she likely had an amazing and decently long life, thanks to your love and care. Rest in peace, little one.
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Post by deguconvert on Nov 28, 2015 6:42:58 GMT
I am so sorry for your loss, Nick!
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