Post by yasmin on Jun 13, 2022 2:43:29 GMT
Jos passed away today. He had a history of snuffling. Had been prescribed antibiotics on several occasions. They seemed to help the first time, but not after that.
He was active. He drank a lot of water; did this "water bottle dance" as he drank.
He was bigger than his brothers, but a gentle degu. However, if one of them bugged him enough, he would lash out and that was the end of that.
In February, he suffered an ear infection. Ear drops seemed to have cleared that up fine and he was back to his old self in days.
But on Wednesday, he became lethargic again - sitting puffed up in one position, not eating or drinking. He squeaked when touched. And he was snuffling. And began to lean over to his right side.
I phoned the vet Thursday morning; had an appointment Friday afternoon. By that point, he would not even take a treat. Touching Jos even gently made him jump and flail about violently, and then fall over to his right side.
Upon examination, the vet saw that Jos, again, had an ear infection but this time it was massive with lots of puss and bacteria. Ear drops were prescribed again but for a longer course. If he did not start getting better by Monday, we would consider adding to the regimen. The first dose of drops that afternoon looked like it gave a bit of immediate relief. Jos ate a bit of almond. Another dose that night seemed to help a bit.
Saturday morning - Jos was lethargic, not eating, and flailed around if touched. Still, got the ear drops in but, putting him back in the cage after was distressing - he was so exhausted, and fell onto his right side. Still able to right himself up though, but very weak and having a difficult time moving about - turning in circles and falling over.
His breathing became more and more laboured as the day progressed to the point that he had so much trouble that he would squeak, and twitch, and hold onto the bars of the cage to keep himself right side up. That night, he was full-on open mouth breathing.
Sunday (this morning) morning, he was is a horrible state. We still put in the ear drops, but when put back in the cage, he could not right himself - rolled around as he flailed. He began to bloat. I left a message at the vet's office that I needed the first appointment they had available come Monday.
But we could not wait until Monday. He was so bloated by afternoon that I rushed him to an Emergency Clinic, who fortunately had an exotic vet on call, and who I know because she looks after my birds. I gave them permission to do whatever they could to save him. They calmed him down with medication. With a tube/incision, they relieved him of the gas. They cleared his nose. He felt better immediately. We were hopeful but guarded. I left him there to stay overnight so he could be monitored, fed and placed in an oxygen chamber.
Two hours later, I received a call – Jos had passed. peacefully.
He was only 3 years old.
. Rest in peace, my darling boy
He was active. He drank a lot of water; did this "water bottle dance" as he drank.
He was bigger than his brothers, but a gentle degu. However, if one of them bugged him enough, he would lash out and that was the end of that.
In February, he suffered an ear infection. Ear drops seemed to have cleared that up fine and he was back to his old self in days.
But on Wednesday, he became lethargic again - sitting puffed up in one position, not eating or drinking. He squeaked when touched. And he was snuffling. And began to lean over to his right side.
I phoned the vet Thursday morning; had an appointment Friday afternoon. By that point, he would not even take a treat. Touching Jos even gently made him jump and flail about violently, and then fall over to his right side.
Upon examination, the vet saw that Jos, again, had an ear infection but this time it was massive with lots of puss and bacteria. Ear drops were prescribed again but for a longer course. If he did not start getting better by Monday, we would consider adding to the regimen. The first dose of drops that afternoon looked like it gave a bit of immediate relief. Jos ate a bit of almond. Another dose that night seemed to help a bit.
Saturday morning - Jos was lethargic, not eating, and flailed around if touched. Still, got the ear drops in but, putting him back in the cage after was distressing - he was so exhausted, and fell onto his right side. Still able to right himself up though, but very weak and having a difficult time moving about - turning in circles and falling over.
His breathing became more and more laboured as the day progressed to the point that he had so much trouble that he would squeak, and twitch, and hold onto the bars of the cage to keep himself right side up. That night, he was full-on open mouth breathing.
Sunday (this morning) morning, he was is a horrible state. We still put in the ear drops, but when put back in the cage, he could not right himself - rolled around as he flailed. He began to bloat. I left a message at the vet's office that I needed the first appointment they had available come Monday.
But we could not wait until Monday. He was so bloated by afternoon that I rushed him to an Emergency Clinic, who fortunately had an exotic vet on call, and who I know because she looks after my birds. I gave them permission to do whatever they could to save him. They calmed him down with medication. With a tube/incision, they relieved him of the gas. They cleared his nose. He felt better immediately. We were hopeful but guarded. I left him there to stay overnight so he could be monitored, fed and placed in an oxygen chamber.
Two hours later, I received a call – Jos had passed. peacefully.
He was only 3 years old.
. Rest in peace, my darling boy 
