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Post by gengarskhan on Sept 3, 2017 23:41:07 GMT
Hi guys,
I've just woken up to yelping and the sound of the degus pushing each other into the cage walls, which is pretty concerning behaviour. On closer inspection it seems like Sam (the larger degu) has sustained a foot injury with the nail appearing to be protruding irregularly and bleeding quite a bit. I can't confirm that this injury derived directly from fighting, but they seem to have calmed now and Frodo is obviously aware of Sam's injury.
What would you guys recommend I do about Sam's injury? It's close to 1 am here and I've been keeping an eye on the little fella, idk if you guys have had a similar situation? It's quite saddening to see him injured
Cheers,
Gengarskhan
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Post by gengarskhan on Sept 4, 2017 0:33:26 GMT
Update: I've used the saline solution recommended by the health guide on his foot and the bleeding seems to have reduced/stopped. He seems pretty grumpy/whiny towards his companion and is reluctant to stand on it/raising it. The nail is protruding upwards in an odd way compared to the other nails, which is quite worrying, not sure if this will heal naturally, fall off, or needs removal?
Luckily he still rushed to eat his favourite treat! I'm going to keep an eye on him overnight and hope he'll be alright
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Post by yasmin on Sept 4, 2017 4:17:46 GMT
Good that you have cleaned the wound with the saline solution.
First thing is to make sure the bleeding has stopped. If it has not, and the wound is not large, you can dust it with a bit of styptic powder or, if you don't have that on hand, then some corn starch. Has the bleeding completely stopped? If not, how much blood is coming out?
The next thing is to make sure it does not become infected. Tomorrow, keep an eye on it and make sure that it doesn't turn red and swollen and that it doesn't start accumulating pus. If it does, you need to take him to a vet.
With regards to the nail protruding irregularly, it is possible that he has a broken toe. Not sure if anything can be done about that. Let us know in the morning how the toe is looking. Not sure where you are located, but if it is not a holiday tomorrow, then it might be prudent to take him for a quick checkup with the vet.
Are Sam and Frodo still fighting?
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Post by gengarskhan on Sept 4, 2017 10:09:04 GMT
Hi Yasmin,
Luckily the bleeding has stopped. This morning the nail is still protruding irregularly and he is struggling to hold his whole weight on it.
I'm not sure whether the nail has just been pulled out and misaligned, or if it is the a fracture of the toe, as the actual limb itself appears normal (albeit red) and it's just the nail that appears abnormal.
Luckily I managed to get him in with the vets this afternoon, and in the meantime I will continue to keep an eye on him and clean the wound, as his back foot tends to be placed in all kinds of unsanitary materials!
Cheers for your help!
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Post by bouncy on Sept 4, 2017 10:27:59 GMT
It's common for goos to continue running around with a paw tucked away underneath them, so don't worry too much. They'll put it down again when they're ready  It'll be a good to see what the vet says. Well done for getting him in so quickly! Long term, quite a few of us on here have goos with missing fingers, or even claws. It doesn't hold them back. |
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Post by yasmin on Sept 4, 2017 16:03:59 GMT
Good luck at the vet.
Please keep us updated.
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