I think my degu is on his final days?

[rugoo]

i have an old degu who was surrendered to me a little over a year ago. he was in decent health when i got him though. but he had a goopy eye, missing hair, and wouldn’t eat. but his previous owner had taken him to the vet in occasion. since i’ve had him he can now climb and jump, but his eye is permanently shut. he can’t take dust baths on his own and has difficulty holding things in his paws. lately he has been sleeping most of the day and night, and making breathy chirps for long periods of time. he’s still eating and drinking normal. but those breathy chirps are concerning me. he keeps opening and closing his mouth on occasion as well. because of the odd behavior, i’ve separated him from his buddy completely. he spent most of his life alone and so i don’t house the two together all the time since they get into pretty bad fights if they’re not monitored 24/7. but now i’ve kept my other degu away from him since i’m worried he may be sick or too weak. there aren’t any vets nearby me that take in degus so i don’t know what to do.

[bouncy]

Mouth breathing can be a result of infection, or even dental problems. Have you considered going to a vet? Even if it's a case of old age, they could at least make him more comfortable.

[rugoo]

i have considered it. especially because i wouldn’t want him being in pain his final days. right now i’m struggling financially. i’m in between jobs right now so i won’t be making much for a week or so. so just wondering in your experience, how much is the average vet visit for your degus? i know it varies clinic to clinic but if i have an idea i could pick up some small jobs to cover for it.

[moletteuk]

I'm sorry about your situation Rugoo. I don't have pets any more, but it should be up to around £30 for a simple consultation, maybe another £10 for painkillers or antibiotics - correct me if I'm wrong folks. Costs go up quite a bit if he needs sedation or dental work, but it's perfectly acceptable to phone the vets and ask for prices and to be upfront that cost is an issue. I would recommend an independant vet over a chain, they have less incentive to fleece you.

It could be teeth roots or perhaps a respiratory infection and his age would probably be a valid factor in how you might want to proceed with options at the vet, a course of antibiotics would be a fairly simple intervention that may be worth a try. Not being able to hold things in his hands sounds a little odd. If he has multiple problems, then it might just be his time and it can depend on the situation and the degu if you want ease their passing with PTS at the vet. If you have weighed him regularly that might give a clue if it's a general decline or if he has sharply lost weight recently then it might suggest an infection or something you may be able to treat.

[savvy]

I'm sorry to hear he's not well.

Costs really do depend on the vet, I pay £60 for a regular consultation at my vet, and about £15 for a months supply of pain relief. If its an emergency appointment I'm looking at £260 just to walk through the door.  My old vet was much cheaper for a consultation, but way overpriced on meds, plus they were about 20 miles away so I had to factor in transport costs.


But if you are struggling financially, you could try the PDSA, they can often help, especially in an emergency.  The Blue Cross may be able to help too.

[bouncy]

My vet is £70 per consultation (but last time they actually examined two goos in the same appointment).

I concur with Savvy - try the PDSA or Blue Cross. If you can't pay, they will still give basic treatment.

[rugoo]

update on scout: this morning he was in a state of shock and wedged himself into a corner. i called the vet asap and got him in that evening. he was barely conscious by the time we got there, but he still could feel me petting him. he was put down later that day. he had his favorite toy and nesting material with him in his final hours. he was my first degu and i’m glad he’s no longer in pain. thanks to everyone on this website for helping me learn to care for such an amazing lil dude.

[savvy]

I am so very sorry!

Rest in peace little Scout, run free across the rainbow bridge.

[moletteuk]

I'm sorry for your loss. Rest easy, Scout.

[bouncy]

Poor little dude (and gooman)

He knows he was loved