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Dixie
May 31, 2020 11:30:15 GMT
Post by savvy on May 31, 2020 11:30:15 GMT
I've put a cooled floor tile in, but he's just ignoring it, and staying in his nest at the top.
He's not interested in the peanut butter.
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Dixie
May 31, 2020 11:51:41 GMT
Post by savvy on May 31, 2020 11:51:41 GMT
He's curled up in his nest, but he's mouth breathing. I think we may be coming to the end.
My poor boy!
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Dixie
May 31, 2020 12:21:00 GMT
Post by moletteuk on May 31, 2020 12:21:00 GMT
Oh no, I'm so sorry.
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Dixie
May 31, 2020 12:22:29 GMT
Post by savvy on May 31, 2020 12:22:29 GMT
I'm waiting for the vet to call me back.
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Dixie
May 31, 2020 15:02:24 GMT
via mobile
Post by bouncy on May 31, 2020 15:02:24 GMT
Oh no! Poor Dixie, and you! I wonder if it's just old age? Keeping my fingers crossed x
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Post by savvy on May 31, 2020 16:03:04 GMT
Well we're back from the vet, they've given him a baytril and metacam injection for today. However, if there's no marked improvement by tomorrow then I'll have to make a decision. However hard, I'll do what's best for Dixie.
He's having energy spurts, but he's not eating well.
I took the opportunity to give his cage a good clean while he was in the carry case and now he's exploring a little, but I'll leave him to rest for the rest of the day.
Reggie is loving all the extra treats as she's getting a little of what I'm trying to tempt Dixie with. I've had to clean her out to get the spoon with the dab of peanut butter back!
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Dixie
May 31, 2020 16:17:49 GMT
Post by savvy on May 31, 2020 16:17:49 GMT
I think it's a combination of his age and the heat.
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Dixie
May 31, 2020 17:29:57 GMT
Post by deguconvert on May 31, 2020 17:29:57 GMT
I'm so sorry, Savvy! You and Dixie have been so much in my thoughts and prayers.
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Post by moletteuk on May 31, 2020 18:54:46 GMT
The injections seem like a good idea to check as fast as possible if the drugs might help, good call. I've got everything crossed for Dixie. Wish I could help.
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Dixie
Jun 1, 2020 10:26:05 GMT
Post by savvy on Jun 1, 2020 10:26:05 GMT
I really need your advice here guys.
There was some improvement yesterday after we got back from the vet, he ate a little, was waiting for all his treats, but not moving away from his bed much. He didn't even tell me off when I put him back in his cage.
He still had the click, it's a bit like a clock tick, when he's breathing, he now has a small head nod in time with it and his nostrils are flaring a little. I'm almost convinced it's a root problem as he's eating really slowly and I can hear the tick when he eats.
This morning he's not interested in his breakfast again, but has had a beetroot biccy and a small amount of water. He was sitting on his ledge when I got up, and has now gone back to bed. He's chittering at me if I come close, and was just sitting there and his eyes were half closed.
The injections he had yesterday were supposed to last 24 hours and his vet is back on duty this evening.
So, I'm back to the dilemma we all have to face at some point. Is it time to let him go, or do I keep trying. I'm not sure the pain meds are working well enough to make him comfortable and we don't know what's wrong.
I spoke to a friend this morning and she said to give him 24 hours, but he's been like this since Friday, that's 4 days already. How long do we go on or is it time?
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Post by moletteuk on Jun 1, 2020 12:39:50 GMT
How much of an examination did the vet do, were they able to have a look in his mouth?
I think the choice is probably whether to sedate and look for what is wrong and then treat it, which may very well be more than he can cope with, or to let him go. Unless he has a random infection with no particular cause that can be cured by the ABs then that route probably isn't worth sustaining very long, especially when it is very difficult to get the meds in him.
How weary has he been of late, has he been feeling his age? Gradually losing weight, anything like that?
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Post by moletteuk on Jun 1, 2020 12:45:23 GMT
If, being realistic, you know he can't be helped, then you can let him go as soon as you know that each further day isn't adding anything to his life as a whole, if that makes any sense. That's the only way I have found of looking at it that helps me end the suffering before they totally give up.
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Dixie
Jun 1, 2020 12:55:16 GMT
Post by savvy on Jun 1, 2020 12:55:16 GMT
He's been slowing down, but he's never been overly active. He's been out today and had porridge oats and a few shelled sunflower seeds, but his breathing isn't great. His weight is fine, he's lost a few grams, was a heavy 315g but is now just over 300g.
The vet looked with the scope but no x-rays have been taken. The vet who saw him yesterday said he couldn't get a good look at anything as Dixie wasn't in the best of moods and he was having difficulties examining him.
Because of lockdown, he's not been seen by Wendy, his usual vet as they are too far away and I don't drive, so he's been to the local veterinary hospital which operates 24 hrs.
I have an appointment tonight at 8.10 to see what they say, but now lockdown has been eased, I might see if I can get him back to Wendy if he needs further investigations as she knows him better.
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Dixie
Jun 1, 2020 15:10:09 GMT
Post by moletteuk on Jun 1, 2020 15:10:09 GMT
OK. I think it's probably worth trying to get them to persevere to try to get a good look in his mouth. Can you take a towel with you and offer to help hold him? Or if this is not possible you might be able to push for them to get a nurse in the room to help.
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Dixie
Jun 1, 2020 15:25:44 GMT
Post by savvy on Jun 1, 2020 15:25:44 GMT
Due to covid 19 you aren't allowed in with them. He's eating a bit now, as I type, so I think I'm going to push for another set of injections tonight and see if I can book him in with Wendy for investigations.
I keep seeing declines then improvements, then decline again, then another improvement. It's just so frustrating for us both.
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Dixie
Jun 1, 2020 15:26:40 GMT
Post by savvy on Jun 1, 2020 15:26:40 GMT
May be out in left field, but could it allergic rhinitis?
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Dixie
Jun 1, 2020 15:37:25 GMT
Post by savvy on Jun 1, 2020 15:37:25 GMT
The only things I've recently changed is the loo roll I use for bedding, because I couldn't get my normal soft one, I've been using Kimberly Clark professional for the last couple of weeks. Could it be too dusty?
I've also swapped back to finacard which is finer than Greenmile.
I know I'm clutching at straws here, but even the vet said he's otherwise healthy.
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Dixie
Jun 1, 2020 16:06:16 GMT
Post by moletteuk on Jun 1, 2020 16:06:16 GMT
Of course, I forgot about the covid rules.
I wouldn't think it would be rhinitis out of the blue at his age.
The emotional rollercoaster is awful.
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Post by savvy on Jun 1, 2020 18:36:00 GMT
And the rollercoaster goes on! We have to be at the vet in 40 mins and since 6pm I've caught him chewing wood, having a trot on his wheel and masturbating! But I don't care, he can carry on doing all those things and more! I want my stubborn, strong willed, treat loving boy back!
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Post by moletteuk on Jun 1, 2020 22:57:51 GMT
How did it go?
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