Poorly Degu breathing problems

[leebishop]

Hi guys ive had our degus about 18months now and the one isn't too well, he seems to have respiratory problems like people have described on here, is breathing through his mouth and over the last day or two has really puffed up as seems really bloated.
He's been to the vets and had two weeks worth or baytril antibiotics, he seeme to perk up a bit and finished the antibiotics a week ago. He has seemed perky and has been eating/drinking fine. Although yeterday just seemed to be breaking up their nuggets rTher than eating them.
Our vet doesn't seem to know too much about them but has been trying to contact other vets for help.
Does anyone have any suggestions of anything else to try.

Thankyou in advance

[amie]

Hey Welcome to the forum!

I'm so sorry your little guy isn't doing too well. Firstly, I'd ask what kind of substrate you're using with him as he could (perhaps) be having a problem with that? In regards to the bloating, may I ask what kind of diet he is on and what he gets as treats? Also, how much is the little guy drinking?

[leebishop]

They are currently being fed pets at home Degu nuggets along with some meadow hay I had from a local supermarket, we do change their hay around but have used this and pets at home Timothy hay aswell without problems before. As for treats they have had dandelions and leaves, left over lettuce and different Degu treats from pets at home.
Water I would say about 30ml a day between them this doesn't seem to have changed much through.

[deguconvert]

If he is mouth breathing, it will be contributing to the bloating as a portion of the air gets drawn into their abdomin. He is likely mouth breathing as a result of his nasal passages being blocked.

There is a steaming method that might be helpful.

Are you in the UK? There is an inhalant sold there called Olbas Oil. It is great for colds and such. If you can get your hands on some, do so. Then follow this method for your degu.

Have on hand: Two straining bowls (like what you would use to drain a pot of boiled spaghetti)
One bowl large enough to set one of the straining bowls on top of, but not so big that the straining bowl will sit deep inside it.
Hot water . . . tap hot is probably sufficient.
Olbas Oil.
A towel large enough to drape over the whole combined thing.
The sick, or coughing, degu.

Now arrange in this manner.
Pour hot water into the bowl, putting in 3-5 good drops of the Olbas Oil. Place on top of that the first straining bowl. Place in the strainer the degu, immediately placing the second straining bowl "Upside down" over top of the degu and the first straining bowl. Basically you have now created a temporary holding place for your goo. Over all of that, drape the towel. Now sit beside your goo, giving her about 10-15 minutes of steaming time. Then remove her back to her cage. If she looks or feels damp, gently dry her with your towel, and maybe let her have a roll in her sand bath. Do not let her get chilled.

The Olbas Oil will help to relieve her air ways. You probably need to do this daily, and if she worsens, maybe twice daily. If you see improvement, maybe try every other day to see how she does. Basically you will judge by how you see her doing.

[leebishop]

Cheers I'll try this and see if it helps

[malteser60]

Also see if your vet can xray the degus mouth to see if there are any teeth problems. Sometimes degus can get growths at the root of the tooth that can interfere with breathing.

[leebishop]

We have tried the steaming method 2-3times a day now, it seems to help slightly but not much. He is alot quieter than normal and will now come upto us and sit on our hand so we can take him out, he then sits there when he's out, which is very unlike him as I usually have to chase him round the cage to get him out.
We have noticed tonite that when sat there he seems to fill up with air, we can sit there and the air seems to spread and he bloats up.
Our local vet doesn't know too much about degus, the Baytril he gave us seemed to help slightly but after a couple of weeks of finishing it he's still not any better.
Will be taking him back to the vets but just wondering if anyone else has seen this before.