Sick Degu - Bad tooth - Paw Talk

Grlphantom · #1 12-09-2004, 11:43 AM

Hi, everyone.
I just wanted to know if anyone else has had the same problem that my Degu is having.

I adopted my Degu from a humane society about 2 months ago. About 2 weeks after I got him I noticed his eye was swollen shut and he had trouble breathing. My fiance and I took him to the vet the next day. We found out he had a rotten tooth that was causing an infection in his head. The vet gave us 3 meds, one for the infection, one for his eye, and one for pain. We gave it to our degu faithfully for 2 weeks and he seemed to go back to normal.

About 2 weeks later hs head swelled again. We took him back to the vet, who gave us more meds. He said we had a choice, we could continue medicating him forever, or take a chance with getting him surgery to remove the tooth. Well, our choice was made for us when he started to get sick again, even on the meds.

His surgery is scheduled for this upcoming Monday. I was just wondering if anyone else has gone through this or anything similar and how their degu did. I'm really attached to the little guy.

Thanks.
Grlphantom

Amethystbelle · #2 12-09-2004, 02:47 PM

Aaaawwww i'm sorry to hear about your degu, i haven't been through anything like that myself with mine but my heart goes out to you as i know what you must be going through right now

You have to remember that what you are doing is for the best as you don't want him to suffer and if he keeps getting an infection its really for the best and i'm sure he will pull through! I know that they say operating on small animals is risky but so is any surgery and you only hear about the bad and if you have a good vet then you can put your trust in that they will do all they can for you and your pet!

Goodluck and I hope your degu makes it through the surgery ok and keep us posted

Grlphantom · #3 12-09-2004, 02:58 PM

Thanks for your support Amethystbelle, I really appreciate it. My family just can't seem to understand why I am investing so much in something that I got for $3 at a pound. Well, they just don't know the little guy! I certainly will keep you informed. They said that I'll get him back Monday evening and that the next fewdays after that will be critical as rodents apparently do not like to eat after mouth surgery.

I'm lucky that I seem to have a pretty good vet. He took pics of Gooey to show his students, as he is teaching a vet class about exotics.
Thanks again for your support.
Grlphantom

Ilovesmepets · #4 12-09-2004, 02:59 PM

Awwww!!! I really feel for you and your degu. I know how much I love mine. Degus are pretty hearty, so he'll probably come through the surgery okay. Did they say if he would grow another tooth? Is it one of his jaw teeth, or a front tooth? Jaw teeth probably aren't as important for eating. I'll certainly say a prayer for him.

Grlphantom · #5 12-09-2004, 03:03 PM

Nope, no new tooth for him, the entire thing is completely dead. My guess is that is probably why his last owner abandoned him at the pound. So sad! Luckily it is one of his back grinders... well, I know it's not one of the fronts. Not so easy to see the back ones, but somehow the vet gets his little light in there to see it. And thanks for the prayers for him, they are greatly appreciated.

Purplebunny · #6 12-09-2004, 04:45 PM

Sorry to hear about your sick degu.. One of mine has been through surgery, but not for his teeth.. Keep us informed..

degu mad · #7 12-10-2004, 03:30 AM

AWW, i hate it when degu's get sick! i really hope he gets through surgery ok and makes a full recovery. he's in good hands now you have rescued him, your doing the right thing IMO. hope he's fit and well soon x good luck x

Grlphantom · #8 12-13-2004, 11:17 AM

Just letting you all know he is in at the vet now. No news yet, which I guess is a good thing. I'm keeping my fingers (and toes) crossed for him. He certainly was nice and strong going in, the day before he had tossed all of his new bedding out onto the floor! It was as if he knew we were taking him the the 'dentist' and wasn't so thrilled. Well, no one really likes getting their teeth worked on, so I can't blame him at all!
Thanks for all your kind thoughts!

Amethystbelle · #9 12-13-2004, 12:02 PM

aaaaawwwww i hope he pulls through ok and i have everything crossed for you

Grlphantom · #10 12-13-2004, 03:54 PM

hi, just wanted to update all of you! Well, the little guy is doing fine. The doctor put him under and x-rayed him. He couldn't find the bad tooth. According to the x-rays all of his teeth are very healthy. So, that leaves the question of why he was gtting sick wide open, but the doc says there does seem to be anything wrong with his mouth or head. yay! Now in order to get him really healthy, he is still sneezing a bit, the doc is keeping him on more meds for another 8 weeks. All in all it went well. Thank goodness!
Thank you all for your kindness!

Purplebunny · #11 12-13-2004, 07:28 PM

How is your degu? Was the operation a success?

degu mad · #12 12-14-2004, 03:08 AM

im glad he didnt have to go through an operation. hope he gets well soon x

Amethystbelle · #13 12-14-2004, 09:00 AM

I'm glad to hear he pulled through ok as its the going under the anaesthetic thats the worst thing in small animals but he's ok and thats the main thing! I hope he's feeling his chirpy self very soon and keep us posted on how he's doing and if you find out what caused it