Degu has discharge from eye

[kn12]

Hi everyone,

I recently adopted 3 female degus, they’re 6 years old
One of them has had an issue with her eye and discharge ever since I adopted her, we’ve been to the vets multiple times and got eye drops(which she hated and we couldn’t really finish the course), it seems like everytime we go to the vet they don’t find anything wrong but then she will get the discharge again.
She’s eating, drinking, playing fine.

I don’t know what to do! I think one of her sisters might be developing it too and my vet doesn’t know what to do either- they’re all healthy otherwise like their teeth are fine

[savvy]

Welcome to the forum. I'm sorry to hear about the problems you're having.

What colour is the discharge? Is it white, clear or cloudy?

Also, do they have access to hay? If its a bit dusty it could be causing a bit of iritation.

[moletteuk]

Has your vet checked all the molar teeth thoroughly with an otoscope?

It is possible to have overgrown teeth roots while the teeth in the mouth are OK, although in the vast majority of cases you would see some overgrowth in the mouth too. Once you rule out a problem directly with the eyes, it might be worth getting a dental xray to check the teeth roots.

[bouncy]

Ditto moletteuk. Those of mine with molar root issues went through the same process - eye drops, eye ointment, eye ointment with steroids. Sometimes it'll look clear, other times milky. It may look a bit crusty in the morning after they've woken up because it's dried, but you can always use a cotton bud and water to clean it if they haven't managed it themselves.

[kn12]

Hi everyone!

Thank you for replies!

The discharge is like cloudy and it doesn’t go crusty
So initially one of my degus had this and now another one has it too

I’m afraid it’s contagious and I’m getting quite worried,
I don’t know what my vet checked if I’m honest! I don’t know if they even have experience with degus

They do have access to hay but it’s dust extracted?

[kn12]

Sept 8, 2021 9:01:38 GMT moletteuk said:

Has your vet checked all the molar teeth thoroughly with an otoscope?

It is possible to have overgrown teeth roots while the teeth in the mouth are OK, although in the vast majority of cases you would see some overgrowth in the mouth too. Once you rule out a problem directly with the eyes, it might be worth getting a dental xray to check the teeth roots.

I might book in and ask them to check it out
Thank you

[kn12]

Can I add pictures to this thread? I have pictures of the first degu who got the discharge

[kn12]

I have a feeling it might be the hemp mats I keep in their cage or their bedding but I have no idea! Just getting worried about them even though they’re eating and playing fine

Should I call my vet again or try and change vets?

[savvy]

We have a list of vets who have been recommended by our members which may be of help to you. deguworld.proboards.com/thread/15521/vet-guide

Finding a degu experienced vet is a must.

[moletteuk]

If it's a dust issue you would usually get a runny nose too.

I presume you weren't allowed in during the appointment due to covid? I think it's reasonable to ring the vet and ask if they checked her molar teeth. Explain you have not been able to complete the course of eye drops. You can also ask if they see many degus. It's going to be difficult judging the competence of a vet if you aren't there for the appointment, it will all have to be judged on how they talk you through things afterwards.

It might be worth experimenting with restraining techniques and having another go at the full course of eye drops so you can then rule out infection. Often with small furry pets you try a treatment and if it works you guessed right at the problem, if not you try a new theory. Most of us find wrapping the degu up in a towel sized cloth is the best method of restraint. It may be worth trying a high value treat like a nut to get her to hold still to get the drops in. If it's a complete nightmare then move forward with the dental theory, dental issues are the main cause of problems in degus.

You can add a single small picture directly, or add as many as you like via a picture hosting site like Flickr or postimage.org

[bouncy]

Scaredy always had a snotty nose to go with his eye, which was also caused by his molar roots. It was entertaining to see the size of some of the bits that stuck to his nose! All three goos in that group eventually developed a weeping eye, as each developed their teeth issues.

As molette says, a burritoed degu can make things a lot easier. Take the top off the ointment, catch the goo, wrap tightly in a towel. The key is to immobilise their front paws. Mine eventually put up less of a struggle when they realised I was trying to help.

If you've tried eye ointments and are still no better off, it's worth considering the next most common ailments. Unless your goos are super cooperative when it comes to handling, a vet should need to sedate to get a good look at the molars themselves, which may have spurs to trim, and should take x-rays. Some just feel along the jaw bone, which which won't tell them much. After all, we're concerned with the upper teeth here!

[kn12]

Oh mine don’t have a runny nose! Just the eye discharge!

[kn12]

I’ve tried the eye drops with antibiotics and then I couldn’t finish the course and I went to the vet like the next week

I wasn’t allowed in because of Covid restrictions

I was going to clean them out today and try just the carefresh bedding instead of hemp mats and see if it makes a difference

They’re all happily playing and running around but it’s like every night they just get discharge from the eye

[kn12]

Sept 11, 2021 21:45:29 GMT savvy said:

We have a list of vets who have been recommended by our members which may be of help to you. deguworld.proboards.com/thread/15521/vet-guide

Finding a degu experienced vet is a must.

Thank you! I will have a look

[kn12]

Sept 11, 2021 22:07:59 GMT moletteuk said:

If it's a dust issue you would usually get a runny nose too.

I presume you weren't allowed in during the appointment due to covid? I think it's reasonable to ring the vet and ask if they checked her molar teeth. Explain you have not been able to complete the course of eye drops. You can also ask if they see many degus. It's going to be difficult judging the competence of a vet if you aren't there for the appointment, it will all have to be judged on how they talk you through things afterwards.

It might be worth experimenting with restraining techniques and having another go at the full course of eye drops so you can then rule out infection. Often with small furry pets you try a treatment and if it works you guessed right at the problem, if not you try a new theory. Most of us find wrapping the degu up in a towel sized cloth is the best method of restraint. It may be worth trying a high value treat like a nut to get her to hold still to get the drops in. If it's a complete nightmare then move forward with the dental theory, dental issues are the main cause of problems in degus.

You can add a single small picture directly, or add as many as you like via a picture hosting site like Flickr or postimage.org

When I tried to give her drops I did it with a big treat but then she caught on and stopped coming for the treat!

I then took the vets advice to wear gloves and then drop it in her eye that way and that worked for a bit then she started to figure that out too!

Eventually I had to round her up in her igloo and drop the eye drop in

I might try the towel technique if they need eye drops again, thank you all so much, I’ve been so worried and I found a vet surgery close by to me and I’m going to contact them 🥰

[savvy]

I found confining them in a spaghetti jar and holding the open end against the bars to be quite effective. You can then give meds through the bars.

You have to be quite inventive and one step ahead of the game as their problem solving intelligence is huge!