Dez

Question
Hi Diane
I have a health related question.  Dez had some fluid coming out of her nose.  This has never happened before.  Does she have some sort of cold or something?  Is there anything I can do?  Should I get immediate vet care, or is this something I can wait till an available appointment.  We only have just the one exotic pet vet close, and they say it could be 2-3 days for an appointment, unless I want to bring her in for emergency care.  They sounded quite concerned, I wondered what your oppinion was and if any of your igs ever had anything like that and what you did for them.  She also has quite loose stool ever since her morning bm and she pooed a lot more often today than usual.  I did let her have some of my mango a couple days ago, it was her first time having any.  She had a shaving about 1/2 inch long.  Also she has recently started getting collard greens w/her turnip greens, could this change in diet be a culprit.  She has been in her outdoor cage on a more regular basis lately.  Anyway, if one of these things was the cause I will definately not do it again.  If not, well I guess at this point the cure is more important than the cause.  
Thank you for always having such good advise.

Answer
Hi Amy,
Are you sure its not just her normal "snalt" from sneezing?  Remember, igs sneeze to remove the excess salt from thier bodies.
This is normally a clear liquid which when dried, will be white...like all those wonderful little "snalt" spots on the glass of the cages and on everything else they sneeze on.
Also, if it is just normal "snalt", changes in humidity can cause that.  You mention outside more which would most likely be a more humid environment.  If that's the cause, no reason for alarm.
If the discharge has any color to it when it comes out, then a vet visit is needed to check for an infection.
If she isn't eating or is not acting her normal self then I would say a vet visit, the sooner the better...
As to the loose stool, None of the foods you mention should cause a problem but..........some igs do take some adjusting to a new food. Again, more humidity or drinking more water will loosen the stools a bit....if they are foul smelling(rotten, sour, not the normal fresh smell) then a fecal needs to be done to find the cause which may be an infection or parasites.
My igs tend to get runny noses(nothing more than more snalt) on occasion and its generally when the air is more humid...remember, this isn't a bad thing as they need the humidity. Its just a clear(like water) runny nose.
What does her breathing sound like?  Is it normal? Is it labored at all?  Can you feel or hear any "rattles" or congestion in her chest?
If yes...then it sounds like a URI(upper respiratory infection) which, if she has mucous, will cause the looser stools also.