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Post by dops on Apr 7, 2016 12:06:52 GMT
My two degus, Baloo and Mowgli, are about 5 months old. Baloo has always been less energetic than Mowgli who just runs on his wheel constantly, but nothing out of the ordinary, he just often prefers a nap to a run. However this morning when I went to get them out of the cage, Baloo seems very subdued. Normally they both run up to the cage door instantly whereas this time Baloo stayed back. He eventually climbed on to my hand and ate a few oats and has been curled on my lap since but he seems very down. I haven't noticed anything different the past few days, eating and moving and coat and eyes are fine, no sneezing or discharge, and Mowgli seems fine. Could it be possible they had a fight in the night and that is why he is not well? They haven't fought before, apart from small squabbles over their treats but they are at an age where they might be working some dominance issues out.
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Post by bouncy on Apr 7, 2016 15:00:16 GMT
It could be a number of things - he might just be having a duvet day!
Does he feel comparatively cold? Does he appear (oats aside) to be eating and drinking normally? If he is, does what's coming out the other end also look good? You've mentioned body and eyes appear ok. How about the end of his nose? Can you hear anything when he breathes? Is the frequency and depth of his breathing comparable?
Take advantage of the extra cuddles today, and keep an eye on him. He might just be feeling a bit sluggish, and be back to normal tomorrow.
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Post by deguconvert on Apr 7, 2016 16:44:23 GMT
It might be an idea to gently push his fur forward to see if there are bite marks or scabs beneath that get completely hidden by the thickness of their fur. Perhaps there are fights that you don't know about.
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Post by dops on Apr 7, 2016 18:32:22 GMT
okay so i ended up panicking and taking him to the vets and the news isn't that great. the vet thinks he may have a genetic heart problem, as he said lungs and gut sounded fine, and his eyes, teeth and coat are fine also, but when he listened to his heartbeat it wasnt good. so he said that he would contact a friend who specialises in exotic pets and call me tomorrow to let me know what they said. a heart problem would explain a few things, how he always has less energy and is smaller and gets tired easier. he has continued to not eat, so the vet gave me a syringe and i have been feeding him a mixutre of ground up degu pellets, some oats, a tiny bit of peanut butter and water. poor baby is looking pretty miserable. has anyone heard of this sort of problem occurring with degus?
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Post by bouncy on Apr 7, 2016 19:05:39 GMT
Oh I'm so sorry to hear this! I've not heard of it with degus, but there is an element of inbreeding in the pet trade. One of the reasons there might not be much out there on it is similar to humans - until something happens, you don't actually know that anything was wrong in the first place Let us know what the specialist says!
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Post by dops on Apr 7, 2016 19:23:53 GMT
yeah i got them from Pets at Home which wasn't the best thing, but it was the only place near me, and I've heard bad things about their breeding. I don't know how many options there are if the vet does decide it is his heart, but until then I'm just going to focus on keeping him full of food and fluids. Thank you, will let you know what the specialist says!
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Post by savvy on Apr 7, 2016 21:06:37 GMT
I think a lot would depend on what the heart problem is, there may be medication or something they can do. See what the vet saids tomorrow.
As has been said, its one of the problems with inbreeding, it will always bring out a genetic weakness/problem, but at least he has someone who will look after him.
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Post by dops on Apr 7, 2016 23:20:39 GMT
he isnt doing well at all, ive been syringe feeding him every couple of hours but he is so weak he can barely stand. its breaking my heart, I don't know what else I can do, he is curled up on my lap right now looking so poorly.
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Post by deguconvert on Apr 8, 2016 5:07:11 GMT
I am so sorry, Dops! What a frightening thing to hear about your little guy!! I hope he will be able to grow stronger. My thoughts are with you, and sending you hugs!
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Post by dops on Apr 8, 2016 9:21:53 GMT
he made it through the night!! he doesn't seem any better, but I've settled him in a pen on the floor with hot water bottle and blankets, and he isn't strong enough to climb out but his brother can drop in a visit him. I'm waiting to hear what the vet says, and am feeding him with a syringe every couple of hours. Thank you deguconvert!
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Post by moletteuk on Apr 8, 2016 14:39:10 GMT
I'm so sorry to hear how poorly Baloo is. I think you are doing all you can with the syringe feeding and hot water bottle and arrangement so that Mowgli can visit him. Fingers crossed for him.
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Post by dops on Apr 8, 2016 15:24:50 GMT
he went very downhill again today, to the point where he was just lying on his side motionless, panting a lot. so I called the vet again, and he was very honest and he said that he would be happy to see him again, but he wasn't sure enough of his experience with degus to be a huge help, so he recommended I go to this other practice. They have a branch for exotics and he said they would be able to give better help. so I took him there straight away, and they have him and are going to give him painkillers and sedatives and fluids and X-ray him and will call me when they have some information. so for now just hanging around the phone and trying to spoil his brother who seems quite lost and confused without Baloo.
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Post by bouncy on Apr 8, 2016 16:32:40 GMT
Fingers crossed for little Baloo - hang in there little goo!
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Post by moletteuk on Apr 8, 2016 18:49:20 GMT
Let's hope they find something on the xray and the shots make him more comfortable.
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Post by dops on Apr 8, 2016 19:35:21 GMT
so the vet called, and they did all sorts of scans and x rays and it turns out he has a hole in his heart, which is making his lungs fill up with fluid from the exertion. they're keeping him in the hospital for the next few days, and giving him heart medication and antibiotics (just in case there is an infection as well) and will keep me updated. i really hope he pulls through, though the vet said that for an animal that small the prognosis might not be that great. but its so sad, he is only 5 months old. for now they said they would keep me updated, fingers crossed
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Post by savvy on Apr 8, 2016 19:56:19 GMT
Oh the poor little guy, I know he's a fighter and I hope he can keep on fighting.
The vets are trying also, that is also a good sign. Don't give up hope.
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Post by bouncy on Apr 8, 2016 20:47:09 GMT
He's a tough little goo, full of fight! The Jungle Book is on TV here at the mo, so I'm going to take this as a good omen. Come on Baloo! Toi Toi Toi!
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Post by dops on Apr 9, 2016 14:15:59 GMT
sadly Baloo took a turn for the worse today so I went to the vets and said goodbye, and then he was put to sleep. even though I only had him 3 months I completely fell in love with him, im heart-broken. His brother Mowgli is left alone now, and I know I should get him a friend as I don't want him to be lonely. He is only 5 months old though, will that be easier or harder in terms of introducing a new degu? And should I go for a younger degu than him or older? how long should I wait, I just worry about him even though the thought of looking for a new degu right now is too sad. also would it be best to get just one new friend? I worry if i got 2 that one might be left out. Thank you for your help everyone
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Post by bouncy on Apr 9, 2016 15:01:06 GMT
I'm so sorry to hear this Dops, and of course you fell in love with him. Completely understandable. How is Mowgli taking it? Has he realised his brother isn't coming back?
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Post by dops on Apr 9, 2016 15:29:59 GMT
he seems okay, but he never used to sleep on my lap under my jumper, that was always Baloo, but today for the first time Mowgli did. which of course made me happy as it was sweet, but also means that he is lonely. he is still running on his wheel a lot though, and eating and drinking, but he seems a little bit more anxious and looks to me for reassurance more.
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