Dosha's UTI
Dosha arrived as part of a rescue case to take in some degus from a hoarder who'd become overwhelmed with the number of degus within their care. Sadly, those degus were also inbreeding. They'd been predisposed to disease and neglect.
We've written a previous blog-post about them.
We've written a previous blog-post about them.
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Falling out with Dosha:
Dosha had become unwell, and the group wanted her out! One of her herd-members inflicted a fairly significant facial wound. As she was being bullied, we strongly suspected that she'd become unwell - prey animals naturally hide signs of illness.
There were no outward signs of illness, so we decided to run some urinalysis:
- Glucose: -tive
- Bilirubin: +tive
- Ketones: -tive
- Specific Gravity: 1.020
- Blood: -tive
- pH: 7.0
- Protein: ++tive
- Urobilinogen: normal
- Nitrates: -tive
- Leucocytes: +tive
Dosha weighed in at 195g (below what we prefer for degus). Piloerection of fur was present; suggestive of pain.
As it was highly likely Dosha had a urinary tract infection, she was introduced to oral Baytril/Enrofloxacin (fluoroquinolone antimicrobial agent) and oral Metacam/Meloxicam (NSAID) QD. Antibiotics should prevent bacterial infection in her facial wound.
Whilst Dosha was unwell, she was housed alone.
We ran further urinalysis a week later. Results remained mostly unchanged, but she had an increased specific gravity (1.030 - still normative) and a ++tive leucocytes reading (can be inaccurate on dipsticks).
The vet wanted to continue antibiotics for up to 3 weeks. We introduced oral Cystease to promote normal function of the urinary tract.
Dosha continued to decline. She was displaying signs of severe pain, was having difficulty maintaining her body temperature (she was given access to an optional external heat source), presenting with polydipsia, and continued to lose weight. She was booked in for another clinical assessment.
Dosha continued to decline. She was displaying signs of severe pain, was having difficulty maintaining her body temperature (she was given access to an optional external heat source), presenting with polydipsia, and continued to lose weight. She was booked in for another clinical assessment.
It was clear that the infection wasn't responding to the antibiotic. The vet decided it was appropriate to change to oral Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole (Sulfonamide antimicrobial agent). We were all reluctant to increase the dosage of non-steroidal incase Dosha's kidneys were struggling. Instead, the vet prescribed an oral analgesic opioid; Vetergesic (containing Buprenorphine hydrochloride Mfr).
Given that Dosha's weight was plummeting, we also syringe fed Oxbow Critical Care recovery diet for herbivores.
Within a matter of days, Dosha had transformed! She responded brilliantly to the medicine alterations. A few weeks later, she'd entirely bounced back and was stable enough to join a herd. We believed Dosha would be best-suited joining one of our permanent resident herds of degus.
Given that Dosha's weight was plummeting, we also syringe fed Oxbow Critical Care recovery diet for herbivores.
Within a matter of days, Dosha had transformed! She responded brilliantly to the medicine alterations. A few weeks later, she'd entirely bounced back and was stable enough to join a herd. We believed Dosha would be best-suited joining one of our permanent resident herds of degus.
Dosha now lives very happily with her 4 herd members - Darren, Dolly, Daisy, and Dodo.
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