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Post by hpdegus on Sept 29, 2021 20:14:36 GMT
Sooooo bisolvon is not in the US, from anything I could find. Google also I correctly said bisolvon is dextromethorphan (DXM), but it's really bromhexine HCL. No drugs containing this are found in the US. I'll check again though. Vet would be happy for me to try it, but they obviously don't stock it and I don't think they know this might be impossible to order in the US.
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Post by moletteuk on Oct 2, 2021 21:42:08 GMT
I was thinking about Ollie, and remembered my note to self last time that if there is continuing weight loss then the most likely reason is something going on in the mouth, so maybe it's worth getting the vet to take a look in his mouth again.
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Post by hpdegus on Oct 2, 2021 21:59:24 GMT
That's a good thought. I'll call and see if I can set up a Saturday appointment. I just don't know what my hours are going to be like quite yet, and with the vet being almost 1.5 hours aways its difficult.
I'm sort of hoping it's not his teeth. Vet did check him over on 9/1, said teeth looked fine. And he had previously only needed one dental a year. But honestly I have no idea anymore.
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Post by hpdegus on Oct 2, 2021 23:01:52 GMT
The vet had recommended a steam room sort of thing the other day--just tried it for the first time. He was pretty sniffly for the first few minutes, but cleared up quickly after that. Hopefully it helps him breathe a bit easier.
Also, he did poop on me--pretty much a standard size nugget! Never thought I'd be so happy to see poop!
This is the third day he's been willing to eat oats soaked in liquidy critical care. He's never taken CC before, so thats nice, since it's so high in calories.
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Post by hpdegus on Oct 4, 2021 0:04:29 GMT
Probably grasping at straws, but Ollie just peed on the floor to mark his territory. And there was barely any urine at all. Maybe he's dehydrated? Probably a stretch, but again, just looking for anything that would help.
I don't know what would cause the dehydration for sure though. Thinking back I don't think I've seen him at the water bottle as frequently (used to be once every night). I thought it might be because the oats/CC mixture has water in it. I don't think infacol is supposed to cause this, and I hadn't seen any issues with the metacam before.
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Post by deguconvert on Oct 4, 2021 0:31:39 GMT
Hmmm . . . I don't know what to suggest.
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Post by hpdegus on Oct 4, 2021 0:37:57 GMT
I'm going to call the vet tomorrow, see if I can get an appointment on Saturday. I'd do it sooner, but I have no idea what my hours are going to be and I don't think I can take a half day my first week at work.
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Post by hpdegus on Oct 4, 2021 11:49:51 GMT
Neither of the exotic vets is scheduled to work a Saturday this month. They said I can call back once I know my schedule, to we can try to work out a drop off (drop in the morning and pick up sometime in the afternoon).
I can also try a closer vet, but I'll need to check hours. And I don't know how I feel about taking Ollie to a vet I've never seen before. And they say they've had degu experience, but what exactly do they mean by that?
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Post by moletteuk on Oct 4, 2021 18:27:32 GMT
Maybe you could ask the new vet something specific, like would they normally try to do a mouth exam without sedation first?
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Post by hpdegus on Oct 5, 2021 22:37:29 GMT
I've got an appt on Monday at my regular vets office, but with the other exotic vet. She's seen Pickett before, but never Ollie. This was the earliest appt I could get, apparently they are absolutely slammed at the moment. It's not long enough to see both Ollie and Pickett, so I had to schedule Pickett for the next available appt (the 20th).
I don't know if this is early enough, or if I should be calling other vets to see if they can get me in sooner. But if a new vet isn't any good, or needs to book a separate appt for a dental (if thats what it ends up being), then both the stress and time frame would be rough.
Ollie is still eating, but he's now around 153g. He's so so thin, but still runs around during play time and humps his brothers. I want to hope that he'll make it through this, but I honestly don't know.
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Post by hpdegus on Oct 6, 2021 11:40:39 GMT
He's lost weight again. I have appt booked tomorrow morning instead.
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Post by moletteuk on Oct 6, 2021 15:29:52 GMT
You are doing everything you can. Hope tomorrow goes ok.
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Post by hpdegus on Oct 7, 2021 12:06:33 GMT
Vet says his intestines feel swollen. Can't tell if its IBD or an infiltrative tumor. We're going to up his metacam dose to keep him comfortable.
His teeth look fine from what the vet saw with the otoscope.
Only option for IBD is a steroid, which definitely doesn't mix well with degus. Nothing to do for a tumor. We're at hospice care now.
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Post by hpdegus on Oct 7, 2021 13:47:08 GMT
I think I'm just going to give him whatever treats he wants to eat now. I can't decide if I should cut the critical care, just in case that may be causing inflammation. My head keeps going in circles trying to think of what could be causing it, see if there's anything else to try. I don't think there is.
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Post by savvy on Oct 7, 2021 17:00:42 GMT
I'm so sorry.
I'd let him have what he wants, no matter that its not healthy.
Dixie was on steroids for just under a year, they're not great, but they do help.
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Post by deguconvert on Oct 7, 2021 17:44:47 GMT
OH MY! That is so distressing and completely unexpected! I'm so sorry, Hpdegus! I pray it turns out to be a lesser thing in the long run and that he has a long life ahead of him. How I wish I could give you a long hug!
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Post by moletteuk on Oct 7, 2021 18:18:34 GMT
Don't decide anything today, just mull things over for 24hrs, especially as I suspect you weren't really expecting this, I don't think I was expecting this, plus it's a new vet. I would also bear in mind that gut issues can sometimes be secondary to something else, or just temporary, you've described his poos being small and shrivelled and then looking better, I'm not sure where I'm going with this, just give yourself some space to have a think.
I would carry on with the critical care, there is good stuff in there that keeps the gut moving. I also think it's fine to let him eat whatever he wants.
I had really good results with steroids with my goos. The metacam needs to be out of their system for a good 24hrs before you can try it (so 48hrs after last dose), but I've had a steroid injection turn around a very sick degu, and I've had long term steroid use keep another degu alive for a year. Also, it's the only medicine any of my degus took volunatarily mixed with fruit juice, so it's no hassle to give. I think it is a good shout to try an injection when there isn't a very clear picture what is going on, but since IBD and a tumour have been mentioned, I think either of those could respond well to a steroid.
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Post by hpdegus on Oct 8, 2021 1:08:19 GMT
Hi all, thank you for the kind words. I've been trying to hold myself together today (probably best not to cry in front of my new boss on my 4th day). I feel like I've processes things a bit more now, I really appreciate the mentions of experience with long term steroids.
I'm working on a longer reply, but wanted to give a brief update. I've doubled Ollie's metacam dose for the time being. Vet said max is triple, but I'm going to work up to that, if necessary.
If it is IBD, steroids would obviously be first choice for anyone other than degus. Vet did say metacam is a distant second choice, as it is a weak anti-inflammatory. So we're hoping that it's playing a double role here as both a pain med and an anti inflammatory.
Vet also said I could keep trying simethicone, see if that helps any. It should hurt at the very least, and I have caught him mouth breathing when his nose is very stuffy.
I see a different vet on Monday (saw more experienced vet today, whos seen Ollie throughout this adventure). Current vet clearly didn't want to try steroids, but hopefully will be more open. Any advice on how to bring that up? I want her to take me as seriously as possible, not just as desperate rando willing to do anything (not that we have much to lose by trying at this point).
Ollie is such a trooper. He was running around the play area as soon as we got back from the vet. He ate oats and critical care immediately after I got back from work too. Hes actually running around the play area right now.
Anyway, I'll keep feeding him whatever he'll eat, including metacam and infacol. I'll also keep a close eye on weight and behavior, making sure that I know when enough is enough. No matter what, I'm taking this time to love and spoil him as much as he'll allow.
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Post by deguconvert on Oct 8, 2021 7:28:45 GMT
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Post by moletteuk on Oct 8, 2021 18:10:45 GMT
I think you tell monday vet that this week's vet said a steroid would be a good option, and then you say you would like to try it. You can ask Monday vet why they aren't keen, if they still aren't keen. There could be a logistical issue as my Alice had to have a dog form of dexamethasone crushed tablet mixed in water and then I had to shake the bottle every time to resuspend the powder in the liquid before I sucked any in to the syringe - so not ideal. Monday vet may not have been thinking IBD or tumour so possibly wouldn't have seen need for steroid. I would say an initial steroid injection can give you a good indication whether oral steroids are going to be worth doing. Don't forget to try a steroid on Monday, Ollie's last dose of metacam would probably be this evening (Fri).
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