ep391
Warbling Degu
Posts: 45
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Post by ep391 on Mar 26, 2017 9:07:47 GMT
My degu charlie has developed a large lump under his belly, the vet says it's a growth and given me antibiotics till Tuesday. I adopted Charlie at least 8years ago, so the vet said
due to his age surgery wouldn't be the best option if the drops fail. Anyone else had similar case or any advice ?
Thanks guys
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Post by randomname on Mar 26, 2017 10:01:28 GMT
Hi ep391 , welcome to the forum. I'm really sorry that it's under such worrying circumstances, but we're glad to have you here. None of my degus have ever lived to 8, so I can't really offer advice about age, but we do have a lot of members with elderly degus who will comment soon i'm sure. It might be useful if you could tell us more about Charlie's health - is he generally fit? What's his weight like? Does he have any breathing difficulties? Also, how much experience with degus does your vet have? Have they done operations on many? Lastly, the lump. Is it hard or squishy? Does it move about under the skin when you press it, or stay still? At what rate is it growing? Where exactly is it positioned? (is it in the groin, around the mammary tissue or around the guts?) Personally I would question why the vet gave you antibiotics if they think it's a growth. Antibiotics will only deal with an infection. (which it could well be, they can be prone to cysts) I would try them see if it helps, you should notice some changes after 3 or 4 days if it works. If it doesn't you could ask for a second opinion from another vet (I would ask for a referral to an exotic specialist vet) If it is a growth, it could be benign or malignant. They would need to take a sample of the lump to test it & xrays to see exactly where it is. If it's benign & not growing, you could leave it, or remove with surgery. If it's malignant then options are a little more limited - but there are steroids which can shrink the lump & give you a little more time, but it can affect the kidneys/liver so may not be an option you want to take. One step at a time though - the antibiotics are a good thing to try first, but you need to decide how far you're prepared to go if they don't work. Personally I'd try an exotics specialist, get their input & maybe investigate further so you can be 100% sure what the problem is. Other decisions can be made after you have a better idea what's happening. Really sorry you're having to deal with this, we understand how difficult even thinking all this is. Sending you & Charlie hugs  |
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ep391
Warbling Degu
Posts: 45
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Post by ep391 on Mar 26, 2017 10:12:42 GMT
Hi thanks for the reply, he's fit and healthy always had a good diet and never have had any health issues with him, the lump is on his stomach and I can't believe how I missed it, when I get him out of the cage he goes up my arms around my shoulders so I never really see his under belly side. He's my first degu and like I said adopted because apparently he could not settle with any others.
As with the vets I'm really not sure on their experience has we have only been there a year but it is something I can ask. I think they gave him antibiotics as there is grazing there which has its skin and has bled, so think he just wanted to make sure it wouldn't get infected. The lump it self is quite loose in the skin but firm. Ill have a look on the internet now to find out if there is a exotic vet around me.
Thanks again
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Post by randomname on Mar 26, 2017 10:25:41 GMT
It's great that he's fit & healthy, that does give you more options.
Don't beat your self up about not noticing it. Degus are prey animals & go to great lengths to hide illness & weakness. It happens a lot.
We might be able to help you find an exotics vet if you let us know what part of the world you're in?
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ep391
Warbling Degu
Posts: 45
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Post by ep391 on Mar 26, 2017 10:27:12 GMT
Yeah that will be great thank you, I'm in Cornwall Uk
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Post by randomname on Mar 26, 2017 10:32:58 GMT
deguworld.proboards.com/thread/15521/vet-guide -You might be able to find one in this thread. Also your own vet will be able to refer you to the one the practice usually use. I just did a quick google for it, & there seems to be lots in Cornwall, but not sure how close they are to you?
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ep391
Warbling Degu
Posts: 45
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Post by ep391 on Mar 26, 2017 11:10:19 GMT
I saw pets at home might be able to help has they have a vet section now, I'll have a drive over and see what they can offer it's only ten minutes away. Thanks again for you help really appreciate it
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Post by Deleted on Mar 26, 2017 15:10:20 GMT
Their vets is called Companion Care, they're only as good as the vets and the nurses are. Mine is fab and they're (the majority) of them are exotics trained.
Good luck!
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ep391
Warbling Degu
Posts: 45
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Post by ep391 on Mar 26, 2017 15:41:21 GMT
Thank you just had it and the cage climbing all over me, I'll keep you all posted
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ep391
Warbling Degu
Posts: 45
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Post by ep391 on Mar 26, 2017 15:41:48 GMT
Had him*
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Post by moletteuk on Mar 26, 2017 16:47:46 GMT
I'm sorry to hear about this. Do you have any idea how quickly the lump has grown? The faster it grows the worse the likely news. Ultimately you have to weigh up the risks and benefits of surgery to remove the lump, and only a vet can advise you on how easy the lump might be to remove. I would warn you not to let the vet squeeze the lump, the only way to find out what the lump is is to take a biopsy, this could be a good option, although it might add to the final bill, it would probably help you make a difficult decision.
Surgeries are risky, but they seem to be getting more common for degus and they mostly seem to handle the anaesthetics reasonably well, so if Charlie is otherwise healthy, I wouldn't rule it out completely.
Quick note that Companion Care vets are very variable in quality, they are often quite inexperienced.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 26, 2017 16:58:42 GMT
Yeah, as I said.. check the vets out. Mine were all exotics trained but that's VERY rare.
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ep391
Warbling Degu
Posts: 45
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Post by ep391 on Mar 26, 2017 17:20:02 GMT
Hi thanks for the replies
It grown quite quick and I think him runnning on his wheel has agrevatted it quite hard, it's quite big and like you said it's grown fast and big which is worrying . I liturally don't know what to do, I will get a second opinion Monday but for the size of it it's not looking good.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 26, 2017 17:28:58 GMT
Have you taken his wheel out for the time being? x
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ep391
Warbling Degu
Posts: 45
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Post by ep391 on Mar 26, 2017 17:32:17 GMT
Yeah his wheel his out, I then took his wooden levels out to prevent him jumping and catching it but he was then climbing the height of the cage and then crawling back down so I put them back in. I havnt bathed him in a few days so he doesn't get sand in it. Just hope these antibiotics help
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Post by Deleted on Mar 26, 2017 17:38:10 GMT
That's all very good to hear, well done for taking those steps.
Let us know how you get on tomorrow. x
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Post by deguconvert on Mar 26, 2017 18:01:42 GMT
I hope all goes well for you and Charlie! Will be watching to see.
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ep391
Warbling Degu
Posts: 45
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Post by ep391 on Mar 26, 2017 18:23:25 GMT
Will do guys thanks for the support x
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ep391
Warbling Degu
Posts: 45
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Post by ep391 on Mar 26, 2017 18:49:45 GMT
Will do guys thanks for the support x  |
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ep391
Warbling Degu
Posts: 45
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Post by ep391 on Mar 26, 2017 18:50:27 GMT
Thought I'd share a pic so you guys have a better idea of it
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