help! - Paw Talk

ash031107 · #1 06-25-2008, 12:47 AM

my degus both have goo on their eyes and they won't open them very much what should i do?

mulder · #2 06-25-2008, 05:50 AM

they should see a vet

ash031107 · #3 06-26-2008, 12:46 AM

well from reading online it sounds like they have an eye infection, we've started giving them pedialight, put them in a dark room, and cleaned their cage top to bottom. also the one with it worse we've been feeding puree'd raw carrot, for the vitamin c and the beta caratine. what else will help them?

jackdaniels007 · #4 06-26-2008, 09:30 AM

Are you using sawdust or something similar? Stop using this and use something like carefresh

ash031107 · #5 06-27-2008, 08:37 PM

i am using yesterday's news

MañasMom · #6 06-29-2008, 10:29 PM

It may be an eye infection, but it could also be an impacted tooth, overgrown molars, or something else tooth related.

You need to get them into a vet. To get over this infection they'll probably need a prescription salve for their eyes and also will need to have their mouths inspected. Keep us posted!

kokuhaku14 · #7 06-30-2008, 12:44 AM

Carrots aren't all that great for the degus because of the high sugar content, thats what I read often anyway. Best choice would be to take it to a vet, make sure they know what they are doing with Degus though.

Best of luck.

ash031107 · #8 07-02-2008, 02:43 PM

well good news her eyes are both doing a lot better. we gave her ornacyn for birds and it worked.

Amethystbelle · #9 07-03-2008, 08:53 AM

I would bathe them first to see if the eyes are inflamed, if they are it could be something irritating them or it could be an infection. If they aren't as inflammed it could indicate a tooth problem although with you having two like it i would probably put it at being an infection. I would personally see a vet rather then use anything self prescribed just to be on the safe side. I also would over feed the carrots as they are too sugary for degus in large amounts, if you want to puree veggies broccolli is a lot better and that contains just as good vitamins as carrots

vetster · #10 08-15-2008, 10:38 AM

I'm not sure if it's an on going problem but here's my advice anyway:

Go to a vet. My degu had the same problem, and once I finally found a vet to examine him his prognosis wasn't too good. His molars were overgrown, and the root of one of the maxillary molars was growing up towards to the orbit causing serious sinusitis - which resulted in the gooey discharge from his eye. They said there wasn't a whole lot they could do for that besides pain management since it results in chronic pain. The day after dentistry was performed he passed away.

I've attached Spaz's x-ray for anyone who wants to see a degu with maloccluded molars and over-grown roots. You can also see his lack of maxillary incisors in the photo.

The same degu had discharge from his eye around 6months ago too and it turned out to be an infection - the vet prescribed drops and the problem was gone within a few days.

ifiwasahamster · #11 08-15-2008, 01:00 PM

i would really see a small animal vet

hopefully it will be good news but if its not it is defo best for your degus to get the help they need asap

do you use dust or sand? cus i dont think dust is very good for goos and this might be contributing good luck and keep us informed