The end for Pepper?

[kryspkreme]

Hey everyone! It's been a looooong time since I've been on the boards but I need a little help with my little girl Pepper.

I've noticed lately that she has been sleeping or just kind of sitting around resting a lot more, as well as she seems to be breathing heavier at times. She's usually the one that runs all over, on the wheel, and won't sit still when handled but she's been a bit sluggish now. Her breathing also had a few clicks in it, which makes me think a resp. infection, but I haven't been to a vet yet since I don't have any small animal specialists around (but i'll be researching once I'm done with work). I thought maybe it's the bedding we bought (the discontinued our eco-bedding so we tried a carefresh cardboard/shavings combo instead), but my other gerbil Evie is doing perfectly fine, plump and alert.


She's eaten a bit and I've seen her drink a bit, but I'm afraid that she's going to die (my fiance doesn't really care much so I'm kind of alone in figuring this out). Could this be the end for my little baby? She is about 3 years old now, so I know she's getting to the elderly stage but, I guess I just need to know what I can do for her other than a vet visit which I'll look into. Any advice on what to look for to confirm she's ill and not just "being old"?

Thanks.

[riotheoleo]

I know this probably won't help, but I'd just find a vet nearby ASAP and take her there.

[Shooting Star]

It mostly sounds like she's getting old. Rapid weight-loss or discharge from the eyes/nose could indicate an acute illness, but otherwise just keep an eye on her. Especially at this time of year, make sure she's warm enough.

If you want to go back to the old bedding, eco-bedding is also sold as a packing material called Caremail EcoPacking in office supply stores and online. That's how I get mine, since I can buy it in bulk.

[kryspkreme]

riotheoleo: Yeah, last time I looked around just for a plan in case of emergency, I couldn't find any small animal vets nearby. That said, I'm definitely going to look into it again once I have some serious downtime (checking here on mini breaks so I don't have time to look).

Shooting Star: I checked for any discharge and there's nothing much other than that one of her eyes is kind of "glued" partially shut (I've seen it before so I know how to deal with that). Other than the eye, she looks okay. She's always been a little smaller, almost runt-like in comparison to Evie, but I don't have a scale or numbers to compare to see if she's lost weight. From just looking, she is normal in that field.

I thought of going back to the eco-bedding deal, and I've seen it at office stores like you mentioned, so if need be I'll hit one up. I don't THINK it's the bedding though since she was fine until the last couple days. She was energetic, romping around when I changed it and that was about 2 weeks ago, so I'd imagine this would of happened sooner if it was the bedding. Needless to say, I'm willing to try it.

Thanks for the input friends. I'll keep an eye on her, make sure she's drinking and eating, and look at a vet.

[kryspkreme]

weird, it didn't post my last reply.

I think she has a respiratory infection since I hear some clicking and have read about the signs (which she seems to match). She also feels a little more boney, so she may be losing weight because it's so tiring to eat or something. I found a vet nearby that states it works with small/exotic animals online, so I guess i have to take her down there

Edited: I just looked into the new bedding we switched too and it says "kiln dried wood shavings", that's it, on the bag. Looking on petsmart, it's "spruce and/or pine and/or fir) which, reading that pine can cause RI, I'm kind of pissed and disappointed in myself for not just buying the smaller colored "eco-bedding" material they have instead

[riotheoleo]

I use wood shavings and sawdust, it's fun for them to dig and it's safe. I use it for my gerbils and the sawdust for my guinea pigs too, and they're fine.
We don't live near any vets that specialise in rodents, we live near a more "dog" vet. But we took my gerbil Theo in (he's got a tumour) and they diagnosed him and offered to do an operation, so I guess any vet would be fine.

[kryspkreme]

yeah, my other baby Evie seems to be doing fine in it but, I'd hate for her to show signs of an RI as well in case it was due to the shavings. I'm switching the bedding today, I've moved Pepper into a paper towel/toilet paper type of bedding container until I can fix her cage. Looking into the vet now.

[riotheoleo]

good luck. big hugs to pepper. xxx

[kryspkreme]

Thank you!

She's been in "quarantine" for a good portion of the morning (about 4-5 hours now) and seems to be more alert and moving around. She even chewed on the toilet roll for a few minutes. I don't hear any clicking and she's squirming around on me when I pick her up, so that's a good sign. Maybe it's not an infection but allergies to the bedding? We just bought bedding and the vet place says they have one dr who could see her monday if I needed (like many places, they concentrate on dogs, cats, etc.. so they only have one vet that has experience or works with smaller animals). I figure I'll change the litter now that I have eco-bedding, plop her back in her usual cage and see how she does. I'm also going to try and fatten her up a little because she's a little too boney feeling for my comfort. Pampered Pepper, here we go!

[riotheoleo]

Yes, that does sound like an allergic reaction. Maybe try some eco bedding?

[sofluffy]

How is she doing now?

[kryspkreme]

It's not looking good. Last night we put her back into a clean, fresh tank full of eco-bedding and for a while I thought she was getting better since she was moving around more. This morning though, she's still exhibiting the same heavy breathing, resting out in the open, and just kind of slower to move around quickly. I've given her some breads and cheese a few times, which she quickly takes, so at least she's still eating, but I still hear some clicking and think a vet is in order.

The fiance is not happy about this possibility. He's asked how much I want to spend on a $10 pet but has vocalized that he feels bad for her and is willing to take her in if I feel it necessary. Ultimately, he doesn't mind REALLY if either died, which of course made me cry since I'm the only one that tries to care for them now (We recently had a baby girl so play time was severely cut with them )

I'm going to see how she gets through the weekend and see if we can take her in on Tuesday. Let's hope she can fight through this :/

[sparky]

I'm sorry that she's not doing so well. Let us know how she gets on. I hope the vet is able to help her. Has the change in breathing come on quite quickly or has it been a more gradual change?

Best wishes and hugs for you and Pepper xxx

[kryspkreme]

It seems like it came on pretty quickly. I look at them everyday, at least to talk to them a little bit, offer treats, check their water and food bowls, and noticed something was off when she was sleeping more out in the open. Then the labored breathing started and I brought it up to the fiance who just shrugged it off. The next day I made him go to the vet and pet store to change the bedding etc... so now I'm hoping she lives through the weekend. It's painful to watch her I have asthma so I know how it feels not being able to breathe but at least I have an inhaler! My poor little girl is just putting all her energy into it.

Does anyone have an idea of what it costs for a RI check and antibiotics?

[Sunny&Sandy]

Feb 23, 2013 18:54:38 GMT -8 kryspkreme said:

Does anyone have an idea of what it costs for a RI check and antibiotics?

I hate seeing these little guys suffering, too. :-( At my exotic animal vet, a visit and antibiotics is usually in the $80-$100 range. I think mine might be more expensive than some, but they're the only exotic animal vet around here, so I guess they can get by with it! A lot of vets offer payment plans, though, which can help. Mine uses something called Care Credit.