laiyah
Burrowing Degu
Posts: 181
|
Post by laiyah on Nov 29, 2023 20:34:04 GMT
Hi everyone,
I just came back from my degu room and I saw one of my degus (Pimprenelle) with seemingly a wet spot trailing off her nose.
It is highly possible she was drinking and I scared her (by walking in) and she dipped her nose in the water, but I am not sure. My boyfriend insists it's probably the case, but I'm worried the recent temperature change may have gotten her. Not sure if I should be worried or if I'm overreacting. I'd like a second opinion on the pictures and I will probably monitor her tomorrow.
You can see the slight greyish area just above the dandelion root.
I'd love some opinion and should I be freaking out and dragging my degu to the vet during the middle of winter ?
Thank you.
|
|
|
Post by savvy on Nov 29, 2023 21:06:39 GMT
To me, it looks like its more around her mouth than her nose, especially as it doesn't seem to be near her nostrils.
I'd monitor, she's certainly eating ok, so it could just be from her drinking water.
|
|
laiyah
Burrowing Degu
Posts: 181
|
Post by laiyah on Nov 29, 2023 22:26:27 GMT
|
|
|
Post by savvy on Nov 29, 2023 22:31:33 GMT
When I open the attachment, there's nothing there.
|
|
laiyah
Burrowing Degu
Posts: 181
|
Post by laiyah on Nov 29, 2023 22:36:07 GMT
|
|
|
Post by savvy on Nov 29, 2023 22:47:49 GMT
That does look like drool - sorry!
The fact that she's eating dandelion root is a good sign. Is she pawing at her mouth more than normal? Are her poos a normal size?
|
|
laiyah
Burrowing Degu
Posts: 181
|
Post by laiyah on Nov 29, 2023 22:54:24 GMT
I just noticed this tonight. I didn't watch her long enough to notice if she is pawing more than usual and since she is with her sister, I can't tell for the poos.
It's almost midnight so I'm both worried and unable to do anything. I tried to see her mouth but she really doesn't want to. I tried to give her some things, it's the same as the pellet, she touched it and didn't do more. Maybe the dandelion root was tempting enough for her to chew, or maybe it was too tempting and it made it worse ?
Should I move her to a separate side so I can monitor her poo ? I can just "block" one of the levels to check tomorrow morning.
|
|
|
Post by savvy on Nov 29, 2023 23:05:30 GMT
OK, first of all try to stop panicking, easier said than done I know, but:
There's nothing you can do until the morning regarding vets etc; She's eaten dandelion root so there's something in her system; Separating her from her sister will stress them both out, leave them together; Pop her on the scales to check her weight. If she's only just started drooling and has been eating normally, you've caught it early; If you're stressing, they will be stressing too. Degus are very good at picking up on stress levels.
It may not be overgrown molars or spurs, it could be something stuck to her teeth. Call the vet for a check up ASAP, but try not to panic.
|
|
|
Post by savvy on Nov 29, 2023 23:08:20 GMT
Also, her eyes look nice and bright, she's not fluffed up, and is engaging with you. She's not showing any of the normal signs of being in pain, but I'd recommend a vet check up.
|
|
laiyah
Burrowing Degu
Posts: 181
|
Post by laiyah on Nov 29, 2023 23:10:49 GMT
OK. So, I definitely saw her eating this morning when I gave them the pellets so I can guarantee she has eaten. So... Even if it's bad, she should be able to survive a few days and I have expired but in the freezer critical care.
I'll call the vet tomorrow. I'm assuming if it's bad, I'll notice and feed her critical care if I can't get an appointment with her vet this end of week.
I'll try to stay calm and sleep. The timing is terrible since I am sick. I probably shouldn't drive so I'll probably need to be driven.
My mental state right now is just "CAN THIS PLEASE MAGICALLY HEAL BY TOMORROW".
Edit : she seems to still be good enough to eat the 'good food'. She just took some dried cabbage from me.
|
|
|
Post by savvy on Nov 29, 2023 23:20:47 GMT
CC should be ok for about six months after the best before date as long as it hasn't been mixed, I'm not sure about frozen. bouncy may know more then me. If you're not well yourself, you are more likely to get stressed, so I think a good night's sleep would help you both.
|
|
laiyah
Burrowing Degu
Posts: 181
|
Post by laiyah on Nov 30, 2023 6:03:20 GMT
Hi everyone. So it's the next day, after a semi bad night of sleep. From what I see the degu has stopped drooling and both of them are currently eating the pellets. Should I consider her out of danger and keep watch or should I book an appointment anyway ? Thanks.
Edit: I uploaded the videos I took while she ate
|
|
|
Post by savvy on Nov 30, 2023 10:21:56 GMT
She looks fine to me, certainly no sign of any drooling. I do wonder if if was something stuck to a tooth.
I'd monitor and see how she goes, but keep an eye on her weight, its usually a good indication of tooth problems.
|
|
laiyah
Burrowing Degu
Posts: 181
|
Post by laiyah on Nov 30, 2023 12:00:56 GMT
I just checked again, she is drooling again. It's not as much as yesterday night, no big saliva drop, but I can see a little bit of wetness and her lips look a bit weird to me. youtube.com/shorts/bM5ZriW1-fs?si=4jXgXt9D4A-EZgajI'd love some second opinion to know if I'm seeing it wrong. ^^; Just for future reference. My vet is closed for now (lunch break), but I'll call them when they open and try to get an appointment tomorrow or the day after. (my boyfriend being off work)
|
|
|
Post by savvy on Nov 30, 2023 12:27:04 GMT
I think a vet trip would be advisable. She's not too young for spurs, or overgrown molars. I think its best to get it checked out.
|
|
laiyah
Burrowing Degu
Posts: 181
|
Post by laiyah on Nov 30, 2023 13:41:12 GMT
Yeah, no worries. I'm on hold for the vet appointment right now. (Literally listening to the wait music for 30 minutes now.) As I said, seeing a bit of wetness again makes me believe there still might be something happening in her mouth.
I just wanted opinions to have a better idea on "am I imagining things". As they're my first pets, I am never sure if I'm overreacting or not. ^^;
Just as a small idea on what to expect, if it is spurs or overgrown molars, do I have to buy pumice stones and whatnot to try to make them trim it more ? (I may try to switch hay. I got a new hay brand that said 'premium organic hay' but it feels softer than the other hay. Maybe that made them underuse their teeth.)
|
|
|
Post by savvy on Nov 30, 2023 13:48:10 GMT
If its overgrown molar roots, then she will have to go on long term painkillers as there's little they can do. Molar root overgrowth can only be diagnosed with an x-ray. Spurs or overgrown molar teeth inside the mouth can be be trimmed or burred, its just a case of monitoring to see if they come back.
In terms of keeping their teeth down, wood sticks are a very good option as they not only like them, they're good for them in terms of fibre etc.
Let us know how she gets on.
|
|
laiyah
Burrowing Degu
Posts: 181
|
Post by laiyah on Nov 30, 2023 14:35:20 GMT
I'm very confused about her state, but I've booked a vet appointment tomorrow morning. I guess I'll discover the vet fees for something else than regular consult loool
The most baffling thing is, after reading your message, I grabbed some wooden stick and the affected degu is just... NOM NOM NOM on it. So I'm very confused ARE YOU IN PAIN, DEGOO, TELL ME OMG.
|
|
|
Post by moletteuk on Nov 30, 2023 16:41:52 GMT
Did you manage to weigh her, and if yes, was her weight normal?
Make sure the vet looks in her mouth with a scope (otoscope) to check all her teeth.
Let's hope it is nothing too serious since she is generally eating well.
|
|
laiyah
Burrowing Degu
Posts: 181
|
Post by laiyah on Nov 30, 2023 20:42:29 GMT
The weight thing is a bit tricky because I just came back from 18 days of vacation. I left the degus to someone trustworthy and the salivation thing, I just noticed it yesterday (I was literally watching them nonstop the first few days because... well, I was seeing them again after 18 days of no news).
Last vet visit, M was 260 g and P was around 230 I believe (I'd say between 220 and 230). I mostly recall M because she gained some weight.
Right now, M is 265 and P is 220. I don't think it's nothing that can't be explained from me being away for a bit... I dont' think it's THAT worrying.
I think P is not salivating much anymore, but nonetheless, I'll get them to the vet as a safecheck. I will probably be hated for a while, but if their teeth are good, I'll give them each some seeds.
|
|