Sick Degu and Cat

[TrishWiese]

Hi, my name is Trish and I have a male degu (Doyle, 4 years old), a male chinchilla, (Sinae, 4 years old, which I just got about a month ago), and 2 female cats (Mazzy, 3 yrs. old and Vada, 9 months old).

I have been pretty sick with the flu for the past 3 days and noticed last night that my older cat was acting a little sick. She was just laying around and felt a little bit hotter than normal.

Then my boyfriend and I realized that the degu was also acting sick. Not opening its eyes all the way (though they are not swollen), breathing a little rapidly off and on, not drinking or eating, making noises whenever we try to touch him, and basically just laying around in his cage.

I stayed up all night with the cat and the degu and noticed early this morning that my cat had a cut underneath it's chin. We allow the degu to run around freely and it has always gotten a long with the cat and now with the new chinchilla. I know some of you will think that this is not right, but it was originally my boyfriend's degu and he had always been allowed to run around. We slowly introduced it to the cats and they have always gotten along great.

Now, after noticing the cut on the cat I checked the degu and there are no signs of any injury. I placed a hot water bottle in there (because of something said in an earlier post) and the degu is now resting its head on it. I'm thinking maybe tooth infection?..But with all the other factors I am completely stumped. We are taking the degu and the cat into the vet tomorrow, but until then I was wondering if anyone could help me figure this one out or tell me what to do to make this poor guy more comfortable. Thank you so much for any help.

[Amethystbelle]

You definately need to see a vet asap in my opinion. Is there any chance your degu could have caught your cold? As they can pick them up and the half opened eyes and laboured breathing could be a sign of infection, it could also be a sign of a tooth problem like you mentioned or even an internal injury as degu's hide pain very well and sometimes its not possible to know anything is wrong till the last minute. You did the right thing giving him a hotwater bottle also maybe try and feed him a little water if you can to keep him hydrated till you can see a vet. There is every chance your degu attacked the cat as at the end of the day a cat is a hunter and could have attacked the degu so the degu defended itself and gave a nasty bite as i've heard tales of that before, degu's attacking cats and seeing them off. You will never know whats happened though i don't think!? It sounds pretty bad and really needs veterinary attention straight away before its too late. Goodluck at the vets and keep us posted!

[TrishWiese]

Thank you so much for your advice. Doyle is still doing about the same. I have been giving him water through a nursing bottle and every once in awhile he seems to be taking it. I have been up all night again with him, and he is barely moving. I just called the emergency vet in my area and they said that there would be no one on staff that could help him, and directed me towards two veterinary offices that do not open until 8AM, which is in 2 and a half hours. We are planning on taking him as soon as we get a hold of these people. Thank you again, and I'll keep you posted on what happens.

[TrishWiese]

OK, now I still have about 2 hours until a vet opens that can help me. I have been researching degus on the internet and found a site that said it could be constipation. The symptoms included were

"the degu doesn't poop, is nerveless, depressed. His condition is getting worse quickly(!) ".

It's cure for this was to

"give the degu olive oil and massage his belly. If his condition doesn't imrove withing few hours, take him to the vet quickly, degus' metabolism is very quick and every single hour can mean a lot ".

I just gave him a small amount of olive oil and massaged his belly. I could see that he did swallow a little bit of the olive oil. He is still in the same state as of now. Has anyone ever heard of this? Was it wrong for me to give him the olive oil??

[Amethystbelle]

All you can do is keep him warm and comfy and keep him hydrated. I hope you can get to a vet soon and i'll keep little Doyle in my thoughts

[Sammy H]

Doyle is in our thoughts.

I really hope he's okay, and its a good sign if he's still at least drinking something.

I really truly hope hes okay!

let us know how he goes.

hugs
xxx

[Purplebunny]

How are Doyle and Mazzy now? Sending them get well vibes....

[TrishWiese]

We finally got a hold of a veterinarian at 8 AM this morning and got into the car to take him there, and noticed that he has passed away on the way to the car. Thank you every one for all your advice. Mazzy is doing absolutely fine now, though, eating as much food as she possibly can. Thank you again.

[HappyDancer]

I hope they are both ok, pleas let us know... I am so sorry they are both so sick

[Amethystbelle]

Sometimes with degu's it is too late before we know anything is wrong as they hide pain so well so i'm sure there was nothing else you could have done for Doyle except what you did providing him with warmth, hydrating him and giving him love and care till the end. I'm so sorry for your loss

[Sammy H]

I'm so sorry for your loss. I know its hard to cope with the loss of a loved pet.
my thoughts are with you.

Glad to hear that Mazzy is doing well.

HUGS!

[HappyDancer]

I am so sorry for your loss, I guess I was posting when you did so I missed the update...I really am so sorry

[Purplebunny]

I am so sorry for your loss.. Take care and RIP Doyle.. Glad to hear Mazzy is getting better..

[DVM12]

See A Veterinarain..... Go Leave Now.... Stop Reading This Post Grab Your Pets And Get Your Booty In The Car... Drive...get To The Vet... And Have The Vet Do Their Thing!!!