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Post by deguqueen on Nov 13, 2005 21:48:40 GMT
So I took my Degus for their very first checkup under my care on Saturday. I had arranged a ride there and back and they were very freaked out by the whole situation. I got there on time and half an hour passed and the receptionist asked if I could rebook it because there was an emergency. I said no and she got a nurse to try to persuade me and I said if I was forced to rebook it I would rebook with a different vet. 5 minutes later the doctor came in and began the exam. She would ask me things and ignore the answers. She said the white on the back of Princesses front teeth is normal. She gave me a soft diet recipe which includes corn. She said that they dont need any type of vitamin C supplement. Ginger nipped her and she dropped her, she banged her head on the table and hit the floor. So I am really not satisfied with this vet. I had to take Harley, my hamster to an emergency clinic Thursday night and the doctor was great. When I take her for her follow up on Friday I am going to see if he handles Degus and get a second opinion from him.
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Post by Sunshinemeg on Nov 14, 2005 9:46:42 GMT
that is unbelievable!!
I would make a formal complaint to that vets practise. That is dreadful behaviour for both an animal and its owner to experience.
If anyone else lives near deguqueen, please PM her to get the name of that vet so as to avoid the practise. that kind of treatment is unacceptable!
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Post by ra on Nov 14, 2005 18:19:03 GMT
I agree that's awful. Such blatant disregard for poor Princess. I do hope she didn't sustain any injuries not visible to the naked eye. Even if the vet was aggravated because you forced the issue of holding you appointment, the vet had no business disregarding your comments and jeopardizing the welfare of your Degu. If they had no intentions of giving your Degus a proper exam, they should have said they understood your position, but simply did not have time or staff available to examine your Degus and should haverecommended another practice.
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Post by deguqueen on Nov 14, 2005 22:22:37 GMT
Thanks for your support everybody! That office has seen the last of my money, that's for sure. But now I know what to expect in a doctor from having a bad experience so I am really hoping my hamsters doctor will be able to do an exam on Degus and maybe I'll get a second opinion from them. I really dont agree with the white teeth thing or the corn in the diet they recomended.
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Post by Aimeelou on Nov 15, 2005 12:34:37 GMT
That is totally unbelievable and unproffesional and most off all unnerving that that person is a vet! How can people who we put our trust in be so inadiquat of dealing with pets? I must advise to folkes out there to make sure the vet who you are under has some knowledge of Degus. And dosnt live near Deguqueen!
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Post by Sunshinemeg on Nov 15, 2005 16:12:41 GMT
Thats a good point, can I suggest if you visit a vet who isnt overly sure about degus, give them the link to the website. www.myhomezone.co.uk/degusThat has a consise store of info, and I know my local vet has visited it a few times!!
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Post by deguqueen on Nov 17, 2005 2:40:35 GMT
Just today, I noticed that Ginger was squeeking in pain when she would jump off a level but not when she jumps up. Other than that she seems in good health and was excited about her treat when I came home. Im a little bit worried that something did happen to her when the vet dropped her but I cant think of what it would be because shes not limping and doesnt seem to be any different besides the squeals. I was thinking that maybe she has a headache or something and the jump down hurts her head? I know I have gotten headaches where certain movements caused pains but I dont know if Degus get headaches. I was also wondering that if something is hurting her, will it heal by itself?
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Post by Sunshinemeg on Nov 17, 2005 11:17:46 GMT
I can understand your worry.
Especially as you have a suggested cause for any injury. I would keep an eye on her, see how she goes, and if in doubt phone a DIFFERENT vet for advice. Explain what happened, and your worries, and see if they suggest a visit. They may be able to give painkillers or anti inflammatorys, but it is rather limited what can be done with small creatures.
good luck
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Post by ra on Nov 17, 2005 21:44:15 GMT
The only problem with painkillers is they mask the pain and your Degu could further injure itsself by over doing the jumping around etc. Could be a sprain of some sort. Different muscles are use for say in humans walking up a hill or down and oddly enough going down stresses the knee joints more than going up!
Good signs are she is active and eating. I agree, keep an eye on her. If she should become quiet and immobile or stays in her nest/box not coming out for treats I would try to find a competent vet right away.
Will keep checking in on this thread.
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Post by deguqueen on Nov 18, 2005 21:20:32 GMT
Shes still squeaking but not as much. And she seems to be in good spirits, eating, running and making her nest. Its just when she jumps off of something she really sounds like shes hurting. I guess I shouldnt worry too much until its obvious that there is something wrong.
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Post by deguqueen on Nov 23, 2005 23:43:25 GMT
Ugh! Im so annoyed. I gave in the fecal sample and got the results back for Princess and Ginger and in the same week as their visit I had an emergency with my Hamster and had to take her to the vet at 2:30 in the morning. So in the past two weeks I have spent $450.00 on vet fees and now my doctor tells me that they found a parasite In the degus fecal sample and I have to buy medicine to treat it and have tests done after a month to see if it worked. This is now going to be another $80.00. I didnt even think about asking more information about the parasite and havent been able to get ahold of the vet since she called but I know the parasite name started with a K. If anybody has any idea what I am talking about and know anything about it I would appreciate some advice and/or info. I just feel overwhelmed because I spent so much and now its still not over with and if I have to give them it through an eye dropper or syringe I know they wont let me and it will be me chasing them around everyday to give it to them. Not only that but I also dont want to stay with this vet and give them any more of my money but what can I do? *Sigh*
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Post by Sunshinemeg on Nov 24, 2005 9:16:51 GMT
OH that is awful!
Is this the same vet that you saw at the start? If so, I really WOULDNT stay with them, or else I would point out that following their gross incompetence, your pet has been suffering, and THEY should be accepting responsibility, and doing something to make it better, rather than searching for more reasons to take your money!
Keep us updated on how the girls get on, they are lovely degus, and we all know you will do the best you can for them!
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Post by deguqueen on Nov 28, 2005 1:52:09 GMT
Yeah I've been playing phone tag with the doctor for the past week to get more information. I found out the name of it is called Chilomastix but I still want more information. Im wondering if it has to be treated right away or if it can wait and how it affects them.
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Post by harri on Nov 28, 2005 10:03:36 GMT
I so sorry you are having all these problems, I tend to totally freak when I think something is wrong with one of my furry angels! I also admire your restraint in not clocking that insensitive vet one.
I don't know if it will help, or if UK parasites are the same as US parasites but my sister is a veterinary nurse and I will ask her if she knows anything about it. I'll let you know if I find anything out.
Hope your fuzzy ones get better.
H
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becca1256
Warbling Degu
Shadow walker
Posts: 36
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Post by becca1256 on Feb 5, 2006 21:08:20 GMT
If you see him again, i think you should hit him. ^-^ I'm a little violent, but no one hurts my babies! Good luck!
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Furik
Warbling Degu
Degu!
Posts: 26
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Post by Furik on Feb 21, 2006 20:56:42 GMT
Degus can be taken to the vet? Do most vets know what degus even are? Would they just treat them as they would with a rat/mouse?
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Post by Aimeelou on Feb 22, 2006 9:11:40 GMT
If you ring your local vet, or any vet and ask them if any members in their practice have had any dealings with Degus, you might just be lucky enough to find one! Its handy just to check just to be on the safe side, with Degus, you never know! My vet told me he had had Degus before in his practice, but never neutered one and said he had done opperations on chinchillas (close relitive to a Degu) rabbits and ferrets, so i used my gut instinct and went ahead with the opp. I dont think a vet would opperate on an animal if they didnt know what they were doing, so now my vet can say he has delt with Degus! I suppose as degus get more popular the increase of vets with degu knowledge will rise.
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