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Post by savvy on Apr 19, 2019 21:56:54 GMT
What's his breathing like? From the video it looks a bit rapid to me.
Make sure he has everything nearby to encourage him to rest. Did the vet take a look at his teeth at all?
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Post by hpdegus on Apr 19, 2019 22:22:18 GMT
It's a bit rapid. But it sounds ok. No cracking or bad noises.
He has food and water right next to his heat pad. The vet didn't, he did a general look, then looked at his ears when I said he was shaking his head. They definitely looked infected.
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Post by deguconvert on Apr 20, 2019 1:03:03 GMT
Did they flush out his ears . . . or is there fluid streaming from his ears? I was also wondering if the left side of his face is swollen? I suspect that the infections are severely affecting his balance. The poor little guys must be seeing the world spin about him. What kind of antibiotic did they give you for him?
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Post by hpdegus on Apr 20, 2019 1:24:20 GMT
He had a bunch of crusty stuff in his ears. After about 5 hours, he had a wet trail from one of his ears. I dont think his face is swollen, but I'd need to check. I just came back from dinner, so I already did a quick wellness check and I dont want to bother him again so soon. They gave him tresaderm. Yeah, it really seems to be destroying his balance.
But, I actually saw a ton of improvement just now. He was moving (and moved fast when startled). Not totally sure on his feet, but 100% improvement. He does have another tick though. His head will slowly drift to the right and then he'll jerk it to the left. Hoping this is just him adjusting for world spinning, not a neurological symptom.
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Post by deguconvert on Apr 20, 2019 1:54:49 GMT
Yeah . . . me too! Poor sweetheart! That kind of balance disturbance is so awful! Was the wet trail from his ear present before or after his appointment with the vet? I'm just thinking . . . if it was after, it might be worthwhile to call and ask your vet about it, just in case it needs other/additional treatment?
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Post by hpdegus on Apr 20, 2019 2:07:45 GMT
It was from after, and after the first round of meds. I did call them right after I saw him doing so much worse. They had me flush out his ear, dry it off, and give him pain meds. They also gave me the number of an emergency vet if necessary.
I was reading another thread on here about ear infections (maybe yasmin?) that suggested that the meds could make the goos nauseous. Hopefully this was just a weird first time only reaction.
I'm just happy he seems so much more aware. And that his eyes were fully open. I haven't seen them really open since yesterday morning.
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Post by deguconvert on Apr 20, 2019 2:21:46 GMT
That's a relief to hear!! How are you hanging in?
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Post by hpdegus on Apr 20, 2019 2:41:36 GMT
It's honestly been a rollercoaster. I went to dinner and was worried the whole time he wasn't going to make it. But hopefully its uphill from here. I just want him to be healthy and happy.
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Post by moletteuk on Apr 20, 2019 10:03:38 GMT
Oh phew, well done hp! Hope he's more steady today.
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Post by hpdegus on Apr 20, 2019 12:39:01 GMT
Hes wildly tilted to the right. But he came out into the play area on his own steam and puttered around a bit. The tick seems decreased? He fought me on the rare drops, but took the metacam willingly. Hes slow at eating (veryyyy slow) but he did eat some. Hes currently resting in his hammock. I'll give him some time to recuperate before checking ik on him again.
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Post by hpdegus on Apr 20, 2019 13:41:33 GMT
Sorry for all the updates! I want to make sure I can keep all this straight though.
Called vet to update them. They're going to give me an oral antibiotic to hopefully reach the middle ear better, since the head tilt is pretty severe.
But hes moving more and more. Currently trying to run on the wheel. Not getting far, but trying. He also told his brother off for trying to steal one of his toys, so that's a decent sign!
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Post by ntg on Apr 20, 2019 13:51:16 GMT
Glad he seems to be improving! It's always a worry when they become ill. Hopefully he'll behave and take his medicines without a fuss
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Post by moletteuk on Apr 20, 2019 14:06:32 GMT
Keep the updates coming, I was really worried about him last night. I think it's good that he has stopped deteriorating and has even improved a bit, if he is moving about more than he has to and is eating, they are both good signs. He's hopefully over the worst of the danger zone between diagnosis and the meds kicking in. Since he is now on antiobitic eardrop and oral AB and max dose metacam, plus heatpad, plus choice of normal and soft food, plus kind person looking after him that is everything that I can think of that could be done for him.
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Post by hpdegus on Apr 20, 2019 17:36:47 GMT
Thanks for all the support! He took the oral antibiotics easy, no problem at all! Can't say the same for the critical care. His brother loves that though... Any ideas for making it more palatable? I dont want to force feed (and I dont think we're at that point yet). I've tried peanut butter and seeds. I really do hope hes over the most dangerous part. He was fighting me over the ear drops, which actually made me really happy. Hes currently curled up on the heat pad, usually ear side down. I haven't seen him drink any water, but I know it's close by and he can access it. And thanks again all, for the help and suggestions
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Post by moletteuk on Apr 20, 2019 18:13:41 GMT
Have you got any baby food you try instead or with the CC? Or you make your own mashed veg, seed, nut, oat mush with or without CC. If he is eating enough himself to keep him ticking over then I agree it's probably not worth forcing him. You could weigh him daily and then you know how badly he needs more food. The good thing with the liquid food is that it contains water which is good for clearing out infection. You could try bringing the water bottle right to him or offer some in a syringe in case the angle to use it is awkward for his current balance.
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Post by deguconvert on Apr 20, 2019 19:22:49 GMT
I'm so relieved to hear that he is doing better, and that you now also have the oral antibiotics. I had kind of assumed that those were what he had to begin with, but I had also assumed that his infection was with the inner ears. Inside AND outside . . . makes me cringe! Makes me think of the summer I got swimmers ear and then an inner ear infection as well. At least we know he hasn't been swimming!
It does make me curious though . . . in such controlled and carefully maintained habitats . . . how do ear infections come to be? Not saying you're at fault, love, not one bit! I know you are very careful . . . just wondering at large . . . what, or why, or how do they come about? Do vets ever take a swab of degu ears to analyse the bacteria? WOULD they ever feel it was worth doing?
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Post by savvy on Apr 20, 2019 19:36:33 GMT
It could be something as simple as a foreign body getting in, such as a small seed etc. If not removed, it could technically cause an infection.
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Post by deguconvert on Apr 20, 2019 19:52:28 GMT
Hmmm! I didn't even think about seeds . . . well there ya go! Good reason to avoid sleeping in your food. And now I'm thinking about all the videos of babies with spaghetti hanging out their noses.
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Post by savvy on Apr 20, 2019 19:56:54 GMT
And don't forget, degus do stick their back paws incredibly far into their ears, lol.
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Post by deguconvert on Apr 20, 2019 20:44:44 GMT
ALSO a very good point! Thinking of the reactions of my skin to those claws . . . puzzle solved!
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