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Post by moletteuk on Oct 17, 2022 16:09:08 GMT
From memeory I think baytril normal dose is 0.1ml twice a day. I thing degutopia quote a really low rate.
I think I would be looking for improvement in 7 days, and if there wasn't any, the thing I would consider would be getting a culture to find the best antibiotic.
I'm not sure if you can be a bit less stringent with eardrop steroids, but when I hit this obstacle, they had to be 24hrs clear of the steroid before they could have metacam, so the 24hrs the dose was intended to work plus another 24hrs, making 48hrs total between steroid and metacam.
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Post by hpdegus on Oct 18, 2022 0:09:14 GMT
That sounds right from what I've seen (assuming its a similar concentration).
Sounds like a good plan to me! They did cytology so they know the general idea of what was in there (bacillus, cocci, and yeast) but not true identities.
Ah gotcha, that makes sense. I did check with them last night and they said it was fine to start then. I probably should have been more cautious and waited until this morning though. So that worries me.
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Post by hpdegus on Oct 18, 2022 0:12:35 GMT
Pickett and I are currently not on the best of terms. He refused to take any meds other than the metacam (so no heart meds or antibiotics). I probably should have waited but I ended up burritoing him and syringing both oral meds. He had eaten some food for before the meds (and a little after) so I'm hoping it was enough to offset the antibiotics.
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Post by hpdegus on Oct 18, 2022 11:43:09 GMT
Had to syringe feed again. I'll check the grocery store again, see what I can pick up to entice him.
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Post by hpdegus on Oct 18, 2022 23:38:36 GMT
Probably surprising no one, Pickett is uninterested in the three types of baby food I tried (peas, carrots, winter squash). Newt on the other hand LOVES them. He tried to fight the lid away from me!
I did end up syringing half of the pimobendan and all of the baytril again. He was taking unmedicated treats, but refused anything with meds on it (other than a bit of the pimobendan/oats).
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Post by deguconvert on Oct 19, 2022 2:09:58 GMT
Have you let it dry for a while . . . could be upwards of an hour . . . before offering them?
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Post by hpdegus on Oct 19, 2022 2:25:41 GMT
Yep! I let them dry for 2 hours originally. Since he wouldn't eat them last night, I put them (baytril + rice puffs) in the fridge to try again today. No dice unfortunately.
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Post by deguconvert on Oct 19, 2022 5:03:46 GMT
Well crap.
I'm sorry about that, Hpdegus. I guess that means struggling to get the meds in him . . . until you find something that will work better. I really hope you will find something that works better.
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Post by hpdegus on Oct 19, 2022 22:57:53 GMT
I agree with that sentiment!
Yeah, hoping he realizes that if he would just eat the medicated treats, life would be much better. I'm glad I've been able to give him meds with a syringe, if this were earlier in my degu journey I'm not sure how successful I would have been.
Also! Tiny win-he gained a 2g for the first time since he started losing weight!
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Post by deguconvert on Oct 20, 2022 0:11:13 GMT
Oh that is GOOD NEWS! I hope, for his sake and yours, that this gain will be a strong trend and he will get to a stable weight that we can celebrate with you!
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Post by hpdegus on Oct 20, 2022 23:44:53 GMT
Well, didn't hold today unfortunately. But I didn't hear him drinking water before playtime, so hopefully it's just that.
Good news: he's eating his oats + heart meds again! Which is one less thing to syringe feed.
Not so great news: he's too smart for his own good! As of this morning, once I squirt antibiotics in his mouth he immediately bites down on the towel...which absorbs all of the medication. Babe, cmon, this is for your own good!
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Post by moletteuk on Oct 21, 2022 9:16:18 GMT
Way too smart for hid oen good!
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Post by savvy on Oct 21, 2022 9:25:43 GMT
You just can't reason with a stubborn degu.
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Post by savvy on Oct 21, 2022 22:58:54 GMT
How's he taking them now? Any better or is he still being stubborn?
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Post by hpdegus on Oct 21, 2022 23:53:15 GMT
Oh just as stubborn as ever! I'm still working on finding something, but its not going well. I tried to order some crocks, but apparently they're out of stock everywhere?
I've been trying to get him to bite the syringe, but he's still doing the 'bite absorbent material go sop up nasty meds' thing.
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Post by hpdegus on Oct 21, 2022 23:59:36 GMT
I'm honestly struggling a bit to tell if he's improving or not. I think part of the issue is that he was never horrible. But it doesn't help that I'm hyperfocused.
I think his breathing is slightly better, but maybe his head tilt is slightly worse? His weight seems to be stabilizing, but perhaps his back is slightly hunched when he eats food? He's eating better and doesn't seem to be scratching so frequently (no discharge either), but the inside of his right ear is slightly raw from scratching.
It'll be good to just breathe and relax this weekend, should help to try to be a bit more removed from the situation (that's not the best phrasing, but I hope my meaning comes through!).
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Post by deguconvert on Oct 22, 2022 3:55:02 GMT
Little, loveable, tyrant! What have you been trying? I'm wondering if maybe we can offer some ideas to augment your options?
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Post by moletteuk on Oct 22, 2022 9:27:24 GMT
Could you leave the syringe in his mouth for long enough that he has to swallow before he can bite the towel?
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Post by hpdegus on Oct 22, 2022 17:57:03 GMT
He is a loveable tyrant!
Thats a good idea Molette, but I unfortunately can barely get the syringe in his mouth long enough to dispense any meds. Sometimes I think I sort of surprise him so he doesn't bite down on the towel until he's swallowed. But I've been adding a little bit of extra meds (way below what er vet prescribed) just in case.
I've tried three different types of baby food but found 2 more (including sweet potato, which was a hit with Ollie). I've also tried baby oatmeal which I think I'll try again. CC was also a no. I've tried it on rice puffs and oats, both dotted on or diluted and soaked into the treats evenly.
I bought organic applesauce, but not sure that's worth the sugar. Can't find herb crocks anywhere, just the apple version. Would it be ok to try a half (or less) of either of these?
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Post by savvy on Oct 22, 2022 18:10:55 GMT
Personally, I think desperate times call for desperate measures and it won't be for long. I'd give it a go.
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