potentially lonely degu - Paw Talk

ztarwarzchic · #1 05-19-2007, 01:40 AM

Unfortunately, one of my two degus is not doing very well. He has some sort of absess (or tumor) in his mouth and it is prohibiting him from eating. Right now the vet told us to take 'supportive care' (I'm suringe feeding him every 2 hours) and a biopsy is being done on the absess. Hopefull it comes back as just an infection and can be treated with antibiotics. But he is very emaciated and is not doing very well. I'm afraid that if it's cancer and if he doesn't get better by sunday or monday I may have to put him down. I can't let him suffer.

But what do I do about my other degu if this happens? How long can he be alone? He's very dominant and I don't know if he will accept another degu. Will he stop eating? What can I do for him?

Maybe someone has been through this before and can help me out. I'm very upset and I need a little guidance.

mulder · #2 05-19-2007, 12:48 PM

my degu is a lone girl, her sis died in feb. she's.....okay.....but i miss hearing her cute warbling, as i'm sure she misses having a reason to warble. you can keep an eye on him to see if he gets depressed. watching his eating and weight. talk to him every day, touch or cuddle if he lets you. he might become distant, my girl did. but it takes time. i've been told that introductions can go well if the newbie is a baby, he can see it's a baby and not feel threatened....see what others advise, but right now just be patient. if your boy passes, give the other boy tiem to settle before introducing a new guy i'd think. let the 'air settle' a bit. just go with your gut. give lots of attention and such. keep us posted

ztarwarzchic · #3 05-19-2007, 01:58 PM

Ok, I'll see what happens. I took in a urine sample to the vet today and they ruled out diabetes... so that's really good. She vet said that if it comes back as a benign tumor instead of cancer she'll remove it for 100 bucks (good deal) I just have to get him stroner so he'll be ok w/ the anestetic (sp?)

Hopefully I won't have to think about getting another degu, but thanks for your response. **crosses fingers**

Amethystbelle · #4 05-19-2007, 04:12 PM

I hope your degu gets better, please keep us posted on the little guy

Adult males can be hard to introduce and i always think it comes down to the individual as to whether they would accept another. Degus all take differently to being alone and no matter how much attention we can give them it doesn't make up for company of their own kind be it in the same cage or in an adjacent cage (if they won't get along in the same). Introductions take time and its always best to get a younger degu then your original degu as adults tend to accept youngsters more readily. Hopefully you won't have to cross this bridge for a very long time

mebri123 · #5 05-19-2007, 11:57 PM

eeek
i'm thinking if you wait it will be too late
I would have them just operate now
in his current situation how can he get stronger anyway

ztarwarzchic · #6 05-20-2007, 09:36 PM

The vet won't do surgery currently because he's so weak he won't come out of the anestesia. I'm suringe feeding him food every two hours and hes more active. He's started eating 'mush' (food soaked in water) on his own, which is really good. I'm waiting on a biopsy on the mass. I'll get the answer tomorrow. If its infection, we'll keep treating it with antibiotics. If its a benign tumor, then our vet told us she would remove it. It could also be a hematoma.

But its looking good, I must say.

mebri123 · #7 05-22-2007, 12:12 AM

thats good to hear that its looking better poor thing

Amethystbelle · #8 05-22-2007, 07:06 AM

Its a good sign he is eating, i hope he continues to do so and that the results come back clear and he makes a full recovery

mulder · #9 05-22-2007, 12:53 PM

best wishes, i hope things keep going up

**Sasami** · #10 05-22-2007, 05:21 PM

Good luck! I hope all goes well

.

ztarwarzchic · #11 05-22-2007, 10:48 PM

Update: The biopsy came back as a benign tumor. Thank God its not cancer.

He went to the vet again today. He's very dehydrated because he can't get his mouth around the water bottle (because of the tumor) and he spits out the water we give him by suringe. The vet gave us some saline to give to him under the skin to get him rehydrated. He is eating very well though. Surgery is scheduled for Thursday. Keep your fingers crossed!

Amethystbelle · #12 05-23-2007, 06:23 PM

We all have our fingers and paws crossed for you here, please keep us posted

mulder · #13 05-24-2007, 01:19 PM

oh praying....*fingers crossed* we'll await updates!

ztarwarzchic · #14 05-25-2007, 12:11 PM

I have bad news. When the vet opened Chachi up, she saw that the tumor was wrapped and twisted around blood vessels and she couldn't operate on it. He had to be put down.

This is very depressing. I never knew I could be so attached to such a sweet little degu.

I contacted a small animal rescue and they think they may have a litter of babies in a couple of months, so maybe I could get a pair to put in with Paco. Right now I think he just needs to grieve.

Its really upsetting to see him sitting there, warbling to himself.

Amethystbelle · #15 05-25-2007, 06:14 PM

aaaawwwww i'm so sorry for your loss