Back Teeth Problems

[jim]

My eight year old degu, Chili, has been succumbing to rapid weight loss over the past few weeks. Yesterday, I took him to the local vets for a look over as I suspected that he had trouble with his teeth (open mouth, wasn't eating with the others, dribbling)

Although seeming a little rough (she was handling a steady stream of dogs before my turn), and the usual stubborn resistance from a degu, the vet managed to pry open his mouth. His front teeth were fine, if a tad long. The problem is sitting at the back of his mouth. His teeth have grown over his tongue, thus inhibiting his eating.

The vet attempted to clip them with him awake however he would have none of it. So, there came the moment where I had to decide whether to put him under sedatives or not. Being an old degu (approaching nine!) and in poor condition, I decided that it was worth the risk (he has had an admirable life and has been much loved!)

Twenty minutes later and I am handed a sleepy degu whom is missing a front lower tooth (had to be removed for access) and some trimmed back teeth. The past two days have consisted of waking Chili up every two hours for liquid feed. He's doing OK, follow up at the vets is later on this afternoon. If things go dire, I am accepting that his time is up. Chili has had a very long and eventful life, much loved and cared for.

Has anyone else experienced such things?

[deguconvert]

Hi Jim. Wow, what a trooper Chili is!! Nearly nine years old . . . I truly hope he will live a few more with you. He sounds a real sweetheart. I am deeply touched by your story. Many blessings to you and Chili.

I've not experienced this myself. Our degus are four years old, and one of our three passed away this summer. Seemingly of old age, but we are not sure. He passed in his sleep. We do have other members with older degus, perhaps one of them will have experienced a similar event.

I'll be thinking of you. Please let us know how things go for you and Chili.

[jim]

I have just returned from the vets.

Chili has three options ahead of him depending upon how I feel.

A) I continue feeding him liquid feed until the end of his life. We're not sure how effective the clipping was on Saturday.

B) I agree to him being put under anaesthetic for proper dental work.

C) I agree to him being put to sleep.

I'm not so keen on A as it requires him being fed by syringe every two-three hours. As it stands, B is the best option for me so far. Although he is an old chap, I've always seen a lot of life in him and, were his teeth not causing trouble, he'd have more time to burn. If something does go wrong at worst, he'll pass away whilst under anaesthetic and out of any pain. My only worry is the post-op status... C isn't on my mind, I cannot bear to think of it like that. I'd like to think that I gave Chili the best chance possible for the continuation of his life. Were this cancer or some other disease, I'd probably think otherwise.

The vet wasn't acquired with degus at all. She said that it was the first that she had seen in. It is understandable, they aren't terribly numerous. However, she did say that she'll speak with the vet whom looked at him on Saturday and do her research tonight.

Hrm! Expecting a phone-call tomorrow.

[Maravilla]

Almost 9 years is a wonderful age for a degu!!!

I haven't experiences on my own with so old degus but talked to degu owners with experiences. User oldbiddy here in the forum took over a 8-9 yrs old degu lady that was in poor conditions: she weighed only 90-100g and had a tooth problem. She was put under gas anaesthesia and the problematic tooth was cut. It was quite risky as she was far too thin but the little lady recovered perfectly and is now enjoying life with her new friends. She enjoys every type of food, but especially fresh salat and green.

I didn't get very well what kind of anaesthesia your degu got, it doesn't sound like gas, which would be the best in this case.
I didn't get either why you only have the possibility of feeding him liquid by syringe? Why can't you put a puree in the cage? Why do you think that this kind of nutrition would be necessary the rest of his life?

Sorry, many questions but I don't understand why both you and your vet are thinking that pessimistic way. Maybe you could explain a little bit better and there are facts which are still unwritten?

[jim]

Hello Maravilla. You must excuse any pessimism, I am one by nature.

It will be a syringe anaesthesia as far as I understand. As for the liquid by syringe, he share's the cage with two other degus whom are rather greedy. Plus it'll make a mess of things and I can physically check him every few hours.

[Maravilla]

A couple of weeks ago I had to feed one of my degus with puree because she had a tooth problem as well. About twice per day I prepaired a puree (different types to have some kind of diversity). I just put it in the cage. The other two degus were as well interested and tried it but they also ate their own normal food.
I don't know your degus; for us it was better like this because my degus aren't tame and there was no need to take her out every couple of hours. Why do you want to check him every 2-3 hours? Why do you think that he won't eat any puree or normal food on his own? Because of the missing incisor? Or because they trimmed the back teeth? Is it now done well? Or is there any need to have another correction these days?
Is there any chance to go to another vet? One who has more experiences (and the equipment) with chins, degus, rabbits or guinea pigs? There is really no need to have a syringe anaesthesia. Gas is much better for such short examinations as the animals awake when the mask is put off.

[jim]

Ah, you misunderstood my update post I think.

He still has major problems with his teeth, hence the syringe. He cannot eat pellets or mush that well - I still have to use liquids on him. I am going to the vets tomorrow hopefully, again.

[marracraighead]

Sending tons of goo love and hugs from my goos

And a few for their great owner too

Please keep us informed

[jim]

Vet rang up today for a follow-up. She discussed Chili's problem with the previous vet whom saw him on Saturday. Turns out that there was some mis-communication. The Saturday vet had infact managed to remove all of the problem spors whilst he was sedated. I mentioned that he felt like he had put on some weight but was now refusing my liquid feed outright.

I've had Chili out for a few hours today running around my room with the other two goos. Turns out that he's refusing my liquid feed because he is eating solid pellets now! Yes! I'm going to keep an eye over him tonight and consider vets again tomorrow. Although I think he is on the mend...

Well... after putting him away, I found a small puddle of orangey//red liquid on the windowsill. It is definitely from Chili as he was the only one there today. However I am unsure if it is blood in his urine or not?

[Maravilla]

Happy to hear that your degu is getting better... although I still don't understand the problem fully, but okay ;D.

About the red/ orange urine, it most probably is not blood. Have a look here. Have you given him any of these things recently? My degus all have coloured urine due to their nutrition, it's either orange-reddish or white.

[yasmin]

This thread is encouraging. Nine years old: that's awesome. And to hear that he is recovering without more surgery is like a miracle. Best wishes for Chili's continued recovery; he's a trooper (and very fortunate to have you in his life).

[jim]

Chili has been eating all day. I have allowed him to spend more time out in my room with a plate of food at hand on the floor if he wishes to... I can safely say that he has sat there and om nom nom'd through them all.

I thank ye' all for your kind words of hope and encouragement. It is great to have a group of people to talk to regarding degus! I shall be keeping a close eye on him in the days to come, as well as giving him solitary feeding rights (the other two are forceful!) ... Any updates regarding vets etc shall be posted here.

Here are some pictures of the ol' bean!

[deguconvert]

He doesn't resemble a sick and elderly degu at all. What an inspiration! I'm so glad you've posted pics of him.

[Kins]

Aww, bless him. I can see him becoming a favorite on the forum, hehe!

I'm so pleased he's doing so well. And 9 years old...wow! You must be doing a great job with him!

[jim]

A late reply!

Chili has been well on the mend. He has fully recuperated and is back to being a fat lil' bean! Even his clipped front-tooth has grown back.

Thank you all for the messages.

[hellsbells]

Great news! Fantastic to hear that Chili is doing so well!

[Kins]

Great news, good lad Chili, he's such a cute gooey!

[deguconvert]

That is so encouraging to hear!!! You must be thrilled with his recovery! It's especially great to hear that a nine year old degu can recover so well and keep on going. This is excellent news for all degu lovers!