Aargh!

[AlbertaGirl]

We're at day 29 of Xander's quarantine and I was all set to move him over to the big cage tomorrow... but last night he pooped out all this white stringy stuff. I have no idea what it is and the vet is stumped too. He's been eating kibble and the odd bit of green bean baby food. There's nothing in his cage that he could have eaten that would look like this. Any ideas as to what it might be? Should I keep him in quarantine a bit longer?

Also, he bit me so hard tonight that I think it's going to bruise! He drew blood and everything. I was proud of myself... I didn't react at all and I even kept him out for about 10 more minutes while I was bleeding everywhere so he didn't start to think that biting = going back in the cage. Now there's a swelling as big around as a toonie on my wrist. It itches like crazy too... Benadryl did nothing to help it. I guess he's just testing me!

 

[eroomlorac]

I know nothing about hedgies but I would keep this guy in quarantine until you can figure out what is going on with his poops. Has he eaten any new food in the last day or two?

 

[Nancy]

I can't remember, but have they tested for parasites? Even if they did, I'd have another one done and have it sent out. Some parasites are very difficult to find and sometimes the fecals need to be done at the right stage of infection. White stringy stuff is often tapeworms.

I've been through the whole parasite thing when my youngest was 10. We had a year and a half of H*&& trying to convince the doctors that the parasite was still active even though she tested negative. They would test her right after the meds were finished and of course there was nothing there. They are the Drs and know everything compared to a lowly mother so they would not test her while she was having the pain. It took 3 months and 3 doctors for them to find it in the first place because it wasn't something they routinely look for. It was only when I mentioned to Dr number 3 that we camped and this started after a camping trip did he check for it and found it. Dientamoeba Fragilis is a tropical parasite and very rare up here. After initial treatment and negative fecals, they refused for the next year to admit she still had it. :banghead: She lost 3/4 of the days of school that year because of the pain. They tried to tell me it was all in her head but when a 10 year old comes home from parties and sleepovers you know the pain is not in her head. :banghead: Except for a flukey coincidence, I think she would still be sick. We were at an appointment with the very arrogant GI guy and he was out at the desk discussing her with an associate. The tropical diseases specialist just happened to be standing nearby and heard the conversation and stepped in and told him there was no doubt in her mind that the parasite was still active. Finally, someone who listened and she was put on meds again for a double treatment and finally the nightmare was over.

Sorry for the rant. Geez, that still makes my blood boil to think of all the time and pain it took for her to be treated properly.

 

[Kalandra]

My opinion is that if there is a set back during quarantine that quarantine continues for another 2-3 weeks until all is clear. I'd also take the poop and have the vet examine it.

 

[AlbertaGirl]

Wow, Nancy, that's terrible! Its too bad she had to go through all that when she should have just been being a kid and having fun. I'm glad that somebody finally listened and she got looked after finally!

I had a fecal done on Xander right after I got him and it came up negative. He was on two separate antibiotics after that for his respiratory infection. Of course this morning there was no white stuff anywhere. I'll still take a sample in for another round of tests though. My poor little guy will have to stay in the small cage for a bit longer.

On a separate note, my wrist where he bit me is swelled up really badly this morning. I'll have to be more careful around him I guess!