Update on Skippy - sick and dehydrated!

[kunecka]

Last night was pretty bad. Skippy was lethargic and "crying", I've never heard him making these noises before. It sounded a lot like a whining puppy, just higher and more subtle. I took him to the bathroom again and ran a hot shower. The whole time he was just lying in my arms with these occasional cries. I was crying too because I thought I was losing him. He seemed to get a bit better and even ate a treat (but didn't touch his other food). I was so worried and called the vet first thing in the morning but they didn't have anyone who could see him today (only dog and cat doctors). I was told the small pet doctor would be in tomorrow. So I said OK (what else could I do, right?) and then went to check on Skippy. He wouldn't come out of his cage, even though I was showing him all his yummy treats. I had to take him out and immediately realized how light and limp he felt! I put him on the carpet to run around and he would take a few steps, then drag/rub himself against the carpet, then repeat. I freaked out because I thought he was getting paralyzed (my sister's goo got paralyzed from diabetes and died within a couple hours). He wouldn't take any of his most favorite treats and I realized that he hasn't drunk any water for probably more then a day! I figured he must have been severely dehydrated and forced him to drink some water (used a syringe). Then I called the vet again and described the situation. They referred me to another pet hospital so I made an appointment. I rushed upstairs to take a shower and put some clothes on and this entire time Skippy was just sitting by the wall, although usually he just loves to run around and explore the room.

The vet agreed that there's no point using these antibiotics he's been on since his breathing issues haven't cleared up and he's only gotten worse. She suggested to come back tomorrow to see an "exotics expert" doctor who would take x-rays of his nasal passages. Skippy also got a shot of electrolyte fluid to help with his dehydration. Then the doctor also gave me a critical care formula that I have to mix with water and feed him four times a day since he hasn't been eating. He's actually lost so much weight - 14 grams in a week (from 186 to 172g). I was also instructed to keep giving him water several times a day through the syringe. He hates the critical care formula and tries to spit out as much as he can but he gets about 2/3 of the dose down.

He was so scared at the vet's that he somehow crawled underneath my sweatshirt and when I tried to get him out he bit me! He's never, ever done that before! Sometimes he might snap or squeak or push me away with his little paw but he never bites! It was a pretty deep bite too, I never knew there could be so much blood in a finger, lol! I felt so bad because he must have been clearly terrified since he's done such thing.

Since we got home he also ate 1/2 almond (besides the formula) so that's good. Now he's just resting, still breathing heavily . I wish I could help him somehow! So at least I make sure I keep his hot water bottle warm for him. I'm lucky that I am in between jobs now so I have time to care for him.

I'll let you guys know how the x-rays went...

[mulder]

oh my! i'm so sorry this is happening *hugs* you're both in my heart

[ifiwasahamster]

i am so sorry to hear of how skippy is i hope that things turn out good for you both it is so hard because we get so attached to these little balls of fur that love you unconditionally and rightly so they are part of the family, i think he probably bit you as he was feeling poorly and scared.
i truly hope he gets better and i do hope you are ok

[MaņasMom]

Oh no!!!! I was just thinking about Skippy last night before I went to bed, and wondering how he was doing. I am so sorry he's taken such a turn for the worse! Yes, he must have been scared to bite like that, poor little man!

I am so sorry that he has gotten so much sicker! It is a good thing you are in tune with him, and knew that, and noticed so quickly. Getting fast treatment like that can make a really big difference.

This is just heartbreaking. I hope the x-rays will show you something that you can help him to get over. Poor little Skippy! And poor you, it is so scary and awful feeling this way over a sick Goo. I had a night like that with Imana too, I stayed up late sobbing and saying my goodbyes to her. I sure hope he'll start to perk up, and the exotics vet will be able to find something to help him out.

You're doing all the right things, just know that. You're doing everything you can for him, and helping him with all the things you can help him with. That counts for a lot, and he knows that. Keeping him warm is a BIG deal, and you're doing that. And getting those liquids in him was a very good things too.

Imana and I are keeping everything crossed for your little guy, and sending him lots of kisses! Please let me know how he continues doing, I sure hope he will pull through and be ok! One thing is for sure - Degus are very tough little animals, and Skippy has a lot of personality. He strikes me as a real "fighter".

(((((((((((((((( hugs ))))))))))))))))))

[kunecka]

Thank you everyone for your kind words! I delivered all the hugs and kisses you sent to Skippy!

He seems to be doing better for now (at least compared to this morning). However, he also seems to be pretty bloated. I listened to his body and it is doing a lot of gurgling sounds. He was like that this morning too, before they gave him the electrolyte shot. I read that sometimes they can get bloated when having respiratory problems because they're breathing into their tummies instead of lungs. Plus, I think all that antibiotic course messed up with his intestinal flora. I hope he will "deflate" again. He seems to be walking fine now so I let him out, hoping that gentle excercise will help him pass the gas (if it is gas). I hope it's not dehydration-related but he's had enough water so hopefully not. I'll have to ask the vet tomorrow.

Thank you so much again, it's really good to be able to vent to people who actually understand! Degus have so much personality, I just wish they were better at telling us what hurts and how to make it better! I know I'm doing my best, I'm just wondering if there's anything I should have done differently! I really suspect that it was the antibiotics what made him this miserable but who knew, right? We were all just trying to help his breathing!

I'm curious about what the new doctor has to say. I just checked her profile online and it said that she completed an internship in small animal and emergency medicine and "developed a strong interest in exotic animal medicine early in veterinary school". Sounds hopeful !

[MaņasMom]

I know what you mean. I feel the same way about Degus - I love them, but am just so frustrated there isn't more vet knowledge about them. I guess because they're so new still, but it makes you feel so helpless!

This new vet really does sound hopeful! If she specializes in small animals, and small exotics, she might really know her stuff. The vet we go specializes in small animals too, especially exotics, and he's great - oh I really hope she'll be able to help Skippy.

I hope his belly goes down too. I think letting him out to play is a good idea, because it might lift his spirits to interact with you. (Even if all he wants to do is sit in your lap, it still might make him feel better.) Poor little guy!

[MaņasMom]

Had to add this:

I borrowed one of your ideas tonight for Imana. I remembered you had given Skippy his yogurt by sneaking it in on fruits. Well, Imana has been refusing to eat her supplement (to keep her weight up) after months of eating it. So tonight I decided to sneak it to her on her veggies.

I took a scoop of the plain powder, and sprinkled it on a slice of cucumber. I just now looked, and she ate all of the powder! Since the cucumber was wet, it really stuck to it well.

I don't know if you could use your powder mix in a similar way? Or maybe even mix it with some sugar free baby food in a yummy flavor?

But I wanted to thank you for the good idea, and tell you that it worked great for Imana tonight. Today was the first day off her supplement that she didn't lose weight, so I think your idea was a good one!

She sends her love to Skippy, too!

[kunecka]

I'm glad the idea worked for Imana! We really have to be sneaky about their food, sometimes they're picky little eaters! I don't know if I would be able to mix the formula into his snacks, the only solid food he's eaten were two peanut halves so it may not be technically possible . Plus, it's not a powder but it looks more like crushed up dried herbs. It sort of makes this grainy green paste when mixed with water. But Skippy was very good about eating his entire dose this morning, I'm not sure if it was because he was hungry or he actually liked it. He generally looks a lot better then he did 24h ago and he's less bloated then last night.

You're right that physical contact is great when they're sick! Last night I was doing stuff on the computer and he just came to me (I was wearing loose sweatpants and socks), first he just climbed up the inside of my pant to where my knee is and then he spent a good amount of time just sitting on top of my warm socks. He never sits still for that long when he's feeling well! Later I ran the heat since it got a bit chilly (I'm always cold) and he spread himself over the vent and just enjoyed the warm air . He looked so cute and pitiful at the same time, I felt so bad when I had to pick him up because we were going to bed.

It's great that Imana finally stopped losing weight. How much does she weight now? Skippy's sending his love to her as well . I was showing him her picture on the computer the other day, telling him that there is a degu girl out there he would absolutely fall in love with .

[ifiwasahamster]

i am so glad that he is showing better signs and imana also you are such good degu owners i am sure you already know but your little furries are so lucky to have you both, and i am sure they appreciate you very much.
i wish them both well and my 4 boys send them all the love and support they can.
big get better hugs and kisses to both imana and skippy

[MaņasMom]

Aw, I'm glad he got a good snuggle and finally decided to eat his supplement this morning! What a good boy! I hope he'll feel a little better yet today. He is a tough little Goo, that's for sure!

Last night Imana was 236 grams. Which isn't a bad average for a Degu to weigh, but she's always been a rather large Degu, and started out weighing in at about 280, so it's a little low for her body. But I also try to remember that weights fluctuate depending on a lot of factors, like time of day, etc. Sometimes that helps me from getting too discouraged. lol

I will have to let Imana watch Skippy's peanut video, she loves to be on my laptop and would probably enjoy the video! He's a handsome little devil


Love and hugs to the 4 boys too!

[kunecka]

Haha, Skippy loves sitting on my laptop too but I never let him. He's a typical male and he marks his territory all the time. This would be a really expensive litter box!

Thank you both for all the love and encouragement! Skippy's got to get well now that he has so many degus sending him hugs and kisses! He's still not eating/drinking on his own but it's such relief to have the formula and syringes ready! This way I know he's getting nourished and hydrated, although he doesn't really like the drinking part .

So today when we were on our way to the exotics vet I got a phone call from her (she had a day off yesterday). She said that she wanted me to know that while she'd be happy to do his x-rays she doesn't really have experience with x-raying such small rodents. Her specialty are the more "exotic exotics" - reptiles and birds. And if she took them she'd need to refer me to a specialist anyway. So we agreed that it's best if I just have the specialist do the x-rays as well. She gave me his info and even called him first on my behalf and faxed Skippy's medical records over. I really appreciate that she was so honest and Skippy was spared yet another office visit. We're going to see this specialist on Friday. Hopefully that way by then he'll have recovered some more. Today he even walked in his wheel a little. What an improvement!

I'm just thinking about how absurd this is - he should eat but doesn't want to , and I want to eat but can't because I have to fast for a procedure tomorrow. I wish I could give him my appetite which is huge now that it's after 4pm and I haven't had a single bite today, lol!

I'll keep you guys updated on his situation.

[ifiwasahamster]

im so glad you are getting to see this specialist me sonic mario conker and rincey wish him good luck we hope that he starts feeling better and gets better very very soon we will all be thinking about him especially on friday please let us no as soon as

[MaņasMom]

lol Oh no, I wish you and Skippy could trade places! Isn't that always the way? Those who should eat, won't; those who can't eat, want to.

I am so glad the vet was so honest with you. That is so nice. It shows she really cares about Skippy, which is good to know. I'm sorry you have to wait until Friday, I hope it gets here fast.

I remember so well when I was first pursuing treatment with Imana's upper respiratory problems. She spent a few days like Skippy is now. Wouldn't eat, slept all day, didn't play - oh you just feel sick with worry. I really hope the supplement helps him perk up some. I think it's good that he walked in his wheel a bit! I remember the first day Imana did that after starting her emergency aid supplement. It was only for a minute, but I was so thrilled since it was the first movement in a while.

I just really hope he perks up a little more each day. That supplement is really good stuff for them, and can make a real difference in their energy levels. Imana is only really starting to get her appetite back yesterday and today. She's actually eating quite a bit of her regular pellets.

I don't know, I just want to encourage you with Imana's progress - maybe Skippy will make the same progress, but it will probably be slow. I sure hope he does a little better each day.

Doesn't it feel like you just eat, sleep and breathe Degu health these days? It's just your whole day spent caring for this precious child. I tell you what - if love could cure them, Skippy would have been all better months ago! That's for sure!

[kunecka]

ifiwasahamster, thanks a lot for thinking of us and wishing us good luck! We will leave in a few hours so I will post when we get back.

Manasmom, thank you so much for the encouraging post! Imana's progress is great and I was thinking of her when Skippy was feeling bad. But this morning I got up and he was sitting by his food bowl, chewing something! I was so happy. Hopefully that means I won't have to feed him the formula anymore. Yesterday I really had to fight him and got bitten again (this time it was not as deep as in the vet's office). It was sort of funny, actually, he grabbed my index finger and started shaking it up and down, lol!

It's really good to hear that Imana's doing so well though, and not just because it gives me more hope with Skippy. Hopefully she'll be eating more pellets on her own. You're right, when you have a sick degu you can hardly focus on anything else! Hopefully both of them will feel better soon!

[kunecka]

Allright, so we're finally home again! I actually like this new vet, he seemed to be knowledgeable about small rodents. I could just tell he was used to handling them because he knew exactly how to hold Skippy firm, etc. (which was pretty hard because Skippy was just tired of all those different doctors and put up a fight, poor little guy). He felt him and examined him all over, and he even inserted a small thing into his mouth to hold it open to examine his teeth. Poor Skippy was just fighting and squeaking all the time! Finally, they took x-rays of his body. They even managed to do this without sedation, yay!

Diagnosis - probably pneumonia and painful intestinal bloating. The bloating is the reason he doesn't want to eat or drink anything because he doesn't feel well. It's probably a reaction to the previous antibiotic (Enroflox, also knows as Baytril). So he gave him another electrolyte fluid shot, a painkiller shot, fed him some critical care formula (and showed me how to really hold him well to get the formula down into him). I hate having to feed him with a syringe all the time but although he kinda started eating on his own, it's not enough. He was down to 156g from 172 on Tuesday and 186 two weeks ago. He really needs to eat. The vet also said no treats allowed to make sure he's somewhat hungry for the critical care formula. He also gave him a different ATB and a painkiller to help with the pain from the bloating. I can tell that the bloating is getting better though just by looking at him. He looked really bloated two days ago.

So since the vet said that it's probably pneumonia I'm hoping it's not fully developed yet and we'll manage to battle it. I know this is really dangerous for degus but the other ideas he had prior to the x-rays were a tumor or a heart disease. So I supposed out of these three pneumonia is the "best" one.

Skippy has a follow-up appointment next week. I hope he won't have a terrible reaction to the new medicine and will start feeling better. And, of course, I will keep posting on how he's doing!

I'm really grateful to have found this board and you guys!