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Post by stoney on Apr 5, 2006 21:17:46 GMT
I don't know if anyone can help shed light on this problem, yesterday when I went to give the boys their morning feed, Cola seemed to be limping, worried he may have hurt himself in the night I caught him, he couldn't use either of his front legs. I thought he must have fallen somehow their was no sign of injury but I put him in our spare cage which only has one level and called the vet. half an hour later he's hanging off the roof bars as if nothings wrong. When I checked on him an hour later the paralysis had returned. The vet could find no physical injury and suggested it might be damage from a fall causing a trapped nerve. We've kept him isolated from the others for a day to keep an eye on him, he seems to have gone off his food and his eyes have started weeping. I'm really worried, were going back to the vet tomorrow but could anyone help shed some light on what might be ailing our little companion, I'd like to get him back to the group because they all hate the separation but if it's an illness I don't want to spread it. One sick gu is enough of a worry.
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Post by ra on Apr 6, 2006 19:50:26 GMT
I was leaning towards a pinched nerve myself until you said he's gone off his feed and his eyes are weeping. Oh dear. I hope the vet has some ideas for you. Please let us know what they have to say. Will keep my fingers crossed for you.
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Post by stoney on Apr 8, 2006 8:52:25 GMT
An update:
Cola's not had a reoccurrence of the paralysis of his front legs (really odd). He's keeping his eyes shut most of the time, I can't see any obvious signs other than he has what I can only describe as a little sleep in the front corners. He's eating normally and getting around fine, a little quieter than usual but not significantly. The vet seems stumped. Any ideas would be gratefully received.
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Post by Sunshinemeg on Apr 9, 2006 8:25:13 GMT
could he have had a slight stroke? Dougal one of my males went through a phase of turning his head sharply to one side when eating and going round in circles that way. this happened for several days, he went to the vet who couldnt find anything wrong, had him in for obs, it didnt happen again, and he came home again!
that was an expensive holiday for them!
but the good news from that is he recovered without a problem, just hates the travel box as that means going to the vets!
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annelise
Newborn Degu
Resident Veterinarian
Posts: 16
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Post by annelise on Apr 11, 2006 12:15:36 GMT
I have got an answer to Dougal's problem but none to Cola's! According to what Suneshinemeg describes, it seems her boy had an infection of the internal ear. That often follows a cold, which can go unnoticed, but germs multiply in the internal ear and cause exactly what you describe: bent head, falling on the side, balance problems and rolling round in circles, always on the same side. That is because the internal ear gives the animal his balance. Antibiotics can cure that affection, but it can also be deadly in the worst cases because the animal cannot eat or drink anymore.
But I'm stumped about Cola. I'll look it up and let you know if I find anything of interest (which I doubt)...
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