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Post by blossombrooks on Nov 29, 2011 21:33:29 GMT
Since daisy had a bit of a scrap with Dougal she's been wet at one side of her mouth. I thought she'd been injured in the scrap but I honestly can't see any damage. She does play about with the water bottle but this seems different to water. Does anybody know of a way to check her back teeth? Her front teeth seem fine. She's eating ok but I'm anxious that if it is a tooth issue it doesn't deteriorate. If her teeth were overgrown at the back would I be able to feel a difference in her jaw? I will of course take her to the vet if needed but my vets need a bit of direction with degus. Any ideas??
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Post by fred on Nov 29, 2011 23:26:54 GMT
I don't think you can do a useful checking of the back teeth, which will often involve X-rays, without anaesthesia. I'd would monitor her closely, make sure that she eats properly and keeps her weight. Although tooth problems can occur at her age, they are more common with older degus.
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Post by blossombrooks on Nov 30, 2011 7:30:02 GMT
Thanks Fred . I had another good look last night and whilst I can't see an exact injury there is something not right with that side of her mouth. It looks odd at the corner of her mouth so I think did she get caught there when they were scrapping after all. I will keep a very close eye on her but as yet her weight is steady, she's eating and seems ok in herself. I'm probably worrying too much as usual but I'd rather that than something bad happen.
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Post by Maravilla on Nov 30, 2011 16:01:55 GMT
One of the boys who spent some weeks with me had one wet side of his mouth as well. He ate quite fine but used to "play" with his paws around his mouth quite often, trying to clean his teeth etc.
We finally went to the vet who checked all teeth. The front teeth were okay, but back teeth had some peaks, and what's more important, by manipulating around his mouth he caused some injuries in the corners, including some pus.
Vet cut the back teeth and gave us Baytril. Healing was quite fast and the wet side of the mouth disappeared after a few days.
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Post by fred on Nov 30, 2011 17:29:15 GMT
Maravilla I had seen a few similar cases on deguform.de. I would normally advise to see a vet earlier rather than later, but if the vet isn't too knowledgeable with degus, putting off the checking of teeth for a week while closely monitoring Daisy seems reasonable to me??
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Post by Maravilla on Nov 30, 2011 18:29:45 GMT
If the degu is eating normally and without too many problems, waiting for another couple of days wouldn't be a problem (only thing is I don't know if there are any pains involved). We also observed the problem for some days before going to the vet. Fortunately, we have one somewhat experienced with degus (and always happy to see one ;D). Maybe in this case here it is really due to a small injury.
We as owners cannot see the back teeth nor feel any problems with the jaws so there is little to be done.
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Post by blossombrooks on Dec 1, 2011 22:12:12 GMT
Apologies for the delay in replying! Thank you both so much. I've been off today and I've been watching daisy very closely. She definitely isnt pawing at her mouth and today she's been chewing the lava ledge which gives me hope that this isn't too serious. Her jaw isn't swollen but I think it may have been a little. She's still playing and eating fine. I didn't mean to decry my vets but I do own the only degus on their client list! Your vet sounds great maravilla! Dont get me wrong I am a big advocate of going straight to the vets and I've taken daisy before at a moments notice and got the treatment she needed. I think a minor injury is the most likely cause but I'm still keeping a close watch for any change.
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