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Post by deguqueen on Dec 27, 2005 6:40:52 GMT
Ive noticed for a few days now that Ginger has been rapidly losing weight. Shes not eating but she is drinking water but mostly when I put it in an eye dropper and hand feed it to her. I'm not sure what is causing it and I don't have a vet right now for her to be checked out. She sleeps a lot lately and I'm not sure if the heat is on too high in my apartment but I was able to cool down their cage slightly. Princess still has her appetite and is running around but Ginger hasn'y done too much except build her nest. I'm really hoping it's not diabetes because of all the water she has had lately and she always seems thirsty. I even tried giving her a favourite treat (peanuts) and she refused it. If anybody knows or has an idea what could have caused this, please help!!!
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Post by stoney on Dec 27, 2005 9:26:36 GMT
Other than the drinking doesn't sound like diabetes, from what I've read and personal experience they gain weight and they develop cataracts as well. If she's not eating much but is drinking but only from the dropper could be a mouth injury or problem, have you checked her teeth for damage or over growth, apparently that can cause symptoms similar to those you describe though I've no experience of it? Try liquidising some vegetables and feeding them with the dropper.
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goofan
Warbling Degu
Posts: 27
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Post by goofan on Dec 27, 2005 18:19:18 GMT
I'm so sorry to hear about your little one losing weight. When Fauna had a fractured tooth, the demonstrated similar behaviors.
I would suggest the following: 1) get her out of the cage, wrapped in a towel, and look very carefully at her mouth and teeth. Look for an open wound or cracked tooth. Feel the teeth to see if they're loose or if the gums look extra red.
2) using a dropper or syringe, crush up some pellets in water and try feeding her a mushy mixture. She probably won't like it, but it will help get some nourishment in her.
3) Try to find a vet. I know it's expensive, but it sounds like she's really failing quickly.
Good luck.
-Amy
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Post by Sunshinemeg on Dec 27, 2005 18:56:26 GMT
I agree with amy. It sounds like teeth problems, it could be that her teeth have got too long for her to eat properly. I had this problem with an eldery Jerd whose teeth grew far too fast. If this is the case the vet can trim them with just a wiff of gas, nothing major.
Good luck
Keep us posted, Ginger is well known on this forum now!
meg
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Post by deguqueen on Dec 27, 2005 23:39:21 GMT
Thankyou so much for the advice and support guys, I really appreciate it. It's good to know that there is a forum with as many caring people like Degu World. I took your advice with giving Ginger soft veggies, she has been eating them and drinking from her bottle a little bit today. She was also munching on some hay earlier and seems a little bit more active. I've still been giving her water through the eye dropper to make sure she is drinking and doesn't get dehydrated. My bf actually suggested last night that I should try and get some baby food where it has vitamins and is o.k. for her teeth and I was thinking it was a great idea. As for her teeth being the problem, I have been concerned about that for a long time. When I took them to the vet, the doctor said their teeth were fine which I don't believe and I'm really upset about my difficulty in finding another competent vet. I don't believe the doctors opinion because I have noticed them pawing at their teeth on more than one occasion and also dropping the food from their mouth while they are chewing. They shake it out of their mouth which I have read that both are a sign of teeth problems. My problem with finding a vet is that with the one I went to, they sounded knowledgeable over the phone and then were completely ignorant when I had the appointment and I'm worried about that happening again. I've also called around and it seems that not too many vets know anything about degus. The people on this forum would do a better examination than the technician I had. So for now I am going to continue giving her the soft food and I will try to give her teeth an examination myself although she can't stand being picked up. But once again guys, thank you so much for the support. I don't know what I would do in situations like these where I'm panicking if I didn't have a place like this to get advice!
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Post by deguqueen on Dec 30, 2005 18:12:03 GMT
I worked up enough nerve to call the vet I went to and complain that they wasted my time and money. I talked to the doctor and she basically got short with me and wouldn't listen to me describing Gingers symptoms. She kept telling me I had to make an appointment and go in. I basically told her to forget it because I didn't want her to waste any more of my time or money. I wanted to get a free re-examination but after speaking to the wench I decided to go to a different vet altogether. I am SOOOOOOO happy I did. The doctor and the nurse were both wonderful. As soon as I got there the nurse took Princess away to weigh her and went to weigh Ginger and noticed her body temp was low so she put her in an incubator. The doctor listened to everything I said, answered ALL my questions and even wrote things down in a file. He found out Ginger has maaloclussion, hypothermia and was dehydrated. He even drew me a little diagram to help me understand what was wrong with her teeth. He wanted to start her dental surgery right away and while he was doing that he found out she had an absess tooth and removed it as well. The whole thing cost $515.00 but was worth it because he did an excellent job and was wonderful with the both of them. Both Princess and Ginger are happy to be home although Ginger is mad at me because I'm sure her mouth is sore even more now than before. She'll be thanking me when she can eat a peanut again!
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goofan
Warbling Degu
Posts: 27
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Post by goofan on Dec 31, 2005 16:31:09 GMT
OH my goodness...hypothermia? Is that because she couldn't eat and keep her strength up?
I'm so glad you made it to a better vet. Poor little thing.
I hope all goes well in her recovery.
-Amy
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Post by worthym on Dec 31, 2005 17:50:35 GMT
Glad to hear all is now well with Ginger!! As you say, she'll be thankful when she can munch all her favourite treats again. On the topic of vets, I think the main thing is not to worry about how knowledgeable they are about degus specifically, but how much they are willing to listen and learn from the owners, and what their general opinions are towards small animals. My vets are friendly and helpful, if not degu experts.
Anyway - heres wishing Ginger a speedy recovery from her ordeal, i'm sure she'll be busy making up for when she couldn't eat!!
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Post by diet otaku on Dec 31, 2005 19:08:30 GMT
oh wow, malocclusion AND an abcess? goodness! no wonder the poor thing didn't want to eat! well, she'll be feeling much better in no time. and really, i'm surprised at the bill. that seems pretty low for all the work they did. i hope i can find a vet as good as yours when the time comes!
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Post by deguqueen on Jan 1, 2006 7:26:25 GMT
Happy New Year all!
Another small update on Ginger.
Tonight my boyfriend was holding her so I could give her the antibiotics and she jumped out of his hand, hit the table and then fell to the floor.
It was such a nasty fall and she is still very weak, she is now limping. I'm concerned that if she DIDN'T break her leg, she sprained it pretty good.
After that happened, seeing her limping and just the shape she's in, I broke down and started crying. It's just so hard seeing her like that and there isn't much I can do to comfort her. But I told myself that no matter what I will not euthanise her. She still isn't eating, not even soft foods anymore and she still seems to be in pain but she is SO strong to keep going when she doesn't or can't realize that she will be getting better. I decided that she deserves and will have whatever it takes to bring her back to her normal self. After the hell she's been through in her short life.
Her leg seems to be getting somewhat better but it's still heart wrenching to see her struggle to get the energy to even lift her head to have some water.
On Monday I think I am going to call the doctor and inform him of her condition and it might be best to hospitalize her so they can give her vitamin injections to help her get back to her good health.
I also decided that I am going to make a formal complaint against the clinic that was so neglegent where they missed her maloclussion to the point where it had to get THIS bad. No pet owner should EVER have to go through what I have been going through when they make the effort and care enough to contact a doctor about it.
I'm not too sure what I am hoping to get out of a complaint but I want them to be reprimanded for the pain and unecessary suffering they brought onto Ginger.
So I guess after Monday rolls around, I'll have some sort of update but once again, THANK YOU SOOO much for everybody who has lent an ear to my problems and those who really tried to comfort. I know I have said this before, but I don't know what I would do if I didn't have a group of great people like those who visit this forum to listen and help with their advice and knowledge from experience.
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Post by worthym on Jan 1, 2006 14:23:14 GMT
Awww, so sorry to hear about her jumping out of your boyfriend's hands like that. At least she still has the energy to fight and try to escape, which is a good sign.
With small animals, once they get sick they can go downhill so rapidly, but - now you've caught and are treating the problem, I would think Ginger should get better fairly rapidly.
My thoughts are with you and Ginger this weekend, hoping for a happier update on Monday!
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Post by deguqueen on Jan 5, 2006 7:07:20 GMT
I'm glad to finally have a good update on Ginger! On Tuesday, she was still not eating so I called the doctor again and he said to try giving her Vitamin B in liquid form which is an appetite stimulant. I did that night and right away she began to eat or at least try to. She is still skin and bones now with the puffy cheeks and watery eyes but she has more energy and seems to be better. Her leg is doing better as well. She's not limping anymore. I have an appointment with the vet again tomorrow and I think I'm going to ask about him giving her an injection of vitamins or something to aid her in getting her full health up to normal. Thank you to everybody for your support and sharing my concerns about her. I'll be happy when she's at full strength again and be taking lots of pictures!
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Post by Aimeelou on Jan 5, 2006 16:23:50 GMT
Oh my god DQ, so much has happened in a couple of weeks! I realy feel for you, know one likes to see their pet in pain, but you have coped realy well, well done. Give my love to Ginger and tell her to get better soon and keep us posted on her. (HUGS)
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Post by ra on Jan 5, 2006 17:52:37 GMT
deguqueen,
I'm sorry I haven't kept up with this thread. Last I'd read it did sound like teeth to me and I had no new ideas to offer so I didn't post. Now I wish I had at least wished you and Ginger well. I had no idea things progressed so badly for you. Shame on me.
I am very glad to hear you found a competant, compassionate vet for your Degus. Thank goodness for him. I hope Ginger is truly on her way to a full recovery. She certainly has fought a battle and with your determination, love and attention she has the best chance possible to win.
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Post by deguqueen on Jan 6, 2006 1:59:12 GMT
Thanks guys, Ginger saw her doctor today and he said she is doing much better. Of course it will take time for her to fully recover from everthing shes suffered through in the past couple weeks but she's a fighter and has proven it to me all this time. The doctor expressed concerns about her excessive water intake being a result of diabetes but for now we'll just focus on her regaining her weight. She's already acting better, running around the cage, coming to the door to see me and get a treat and today for the first time ever she actually let me tickle under her arm, she lifted her arm for me to do it too! Hopefully in a couple weeks she will be her old self again!
As for the other vet I saw in November, I filed a formal complaint against them with the better business bureau and asked for a reconciliation of a refund for their incompetent services. I'll find out what happens in a months time and I am giving thought to a lawsuit against the veterinarian for negligence and also for dropping Ginger while examining her. I'm sure that with a lawsuit I could get a lot more than my refund but it would be a big hassle and a lot of money spent so I guess I'll wait and think about it some more before deciding anything.
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Post by deguqueen on Jan 8, 2006 15:10:50 GMT
The first picture is how Ginger used to look and the second is how she looked yesterday. Mind you, she is doing much better than she has been in the past few weeks so this is an iimprovement.
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Post by Aimeelou on Jan 8, 2006 15:59:21 GMT
Aww she looks so sad. You must feel so helpless seeing here like that
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tigerlily
Burrowing Degu
Octodon degus
Posts: 172
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Post by tigerlily on Jan 8, 2006 21:06:42 GMT
Lower picture really looks bad But that´s great to hear she is doing much better now!
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Post by deguqueen on Jan 12, 2006 1:29:43 GMT
Yesterday morning, I woke up and found Ginger laying in her house which Princess had cleaned out (for her, I imagine), very limp and breathing only slightly. I carefully scooped her up and gave her kisses and stroked her along her tummy and head. I knew she was close to dying and woke Ryan up. I'm not sure why I woke him up, I guess for the support. Afterwards, I wrapped her in her nesting material and made sure she was cozy before putting her back in her house to die in peace. When I got home , she was gone. It's hard writing this but I wanted to say something about her and keep the memories of how great of an animal she was fresh. When she got sick in December, she was so strong. She tried her hardest to get better when it would have been so much easier to let go. She was brave with the trips to the doctor and brave with her treatment. She was a little trooper and even until the end she was a sweetheart, cuddling up to Princess and coming to the door to wait for a treat and to greet me. I'm at a loss for words. I buried her in the park across the street and I miss her so much already. She was an amazingly, brave and strong little girl and she will be greatly missed and never forgotten. She really tried her hardest to recover but I knew when I saw her yesterday she was exhausted and ready and wanting to go. I miss her so much, it feels like I lost a best friend. But I am so sad for Princess she lost her one and only best friend and snuggle buddy. Ginger-January 10, 2006
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Hanlou
Burrowing Degu
Basil
Posts: 284
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Post by Hanlou on Jan 12, 2006 9:46:12 GMT
Am so very sorry to hear you sad news. You did a lot for this little girl though, and gave her a lovely home where she was loved and taken care of. She was such a beautiful girl.
{{{hugs}}} to you xx
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