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Post by **Lisa1989** on Jul 4, 2014 16:49:11 GMT
Hi my two guys are currently split due to fighting but one of them isn't looking so good. His teeth are white ish, he has a small bald patch on his back leg and a sore on his front paw. Any idea what could've happened? Little worried.
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Post by yasmin on Jul 4, 2014 18:25:24 GMT
How white are the teeth? Is he eating his greens, other food?
The bald patch on the leg might be from overgrooming or alopecia caused by the stress of being separated from his frenemy (friend/enemy).
Don't know about the sore on his front paw. What does it look like? Is it raised? Is there bleeding/pus?
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Post by **Lisa1989** on Jul 4, 2014 19:44:59 GMT
Can't get a great look at it but doesn't look infected just a cut which has gone down a little through the day. His teeth are white round the outside and pale yellow inside. He's not changed in personality at all. And my two have never been keen on greens. Tried loads of different stuff it always went rotten. They'd have the odd nibble but wasn't that bothered. Anyway I can get them more interested?
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Post by deguconvert on Jul 5, 2014 5:26:32 GMT
Do you give them Timothy Hay? Any seeds in their food?
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Post by ntg on Jul 5, 2014 11:52:46 GMT
Dried greens are often more readily accepted by degus, they're a little bizarre like that!
The white/pale teeth is often a sign of deficiency in their diet. Are both degus teeth the same? And is it something you've just noticed or have they been like that for a while?
If you could tell us exactly what they eat on an average day (including preferred treats) then we'll be able to see if there is anything that could be changed to optimise their diet.
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Post by **Lisa1989** on Jul 5, 2014 14:51:42 GMT
No only one has white teeth the other is perfectly fine. Although they're looking a little better today. Gave them some greens last night but I don't think they've touched them. I give them selective a degu food from pets at home but not they're own brand. They get sunflower seeds. Millet as a treat once a week. Monkey nuts as a treat for training and pets at home yoghurt drops as a treat on a night before bed cos they love them. I get my hay from pets at home too. I'm limited where I live cos I'm new to the area and don't know all the local small pet shops or organic shops. Anything I'm doing wrong I'm still pretty new at this so apologies to my little guys if it's not good.
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Post by natnat899 on Jul 5, 2014 15:37:22 GMT
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Post by **Lisa1989** on Jul 5, 2014 16:27:13 GMT
Thank you so much. I'll take a look later and order some stuff. Can't wait for them to tuck into a new diet.
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Post by ntg on Jul 5, 2014 16:29:46 GMT
Thanks Lisa  it really helps to know what they are being fed! As far as the main feed goes, I guess you mean Science Selective? Unfortunately it's actually one of the worst feeds available as the balance in nutrients, mainly calcium to phosphorus, is way off. However, there is no such thing as a perfect commercial food so we recommend mixing two or three of the better feeds together to get a good range and hopefully stop the little ones from getting bored. The feeds we generally use are Versele Laga Crispy degu and chinchilla, JR Farm grainless chinchilla mix (with all the apple and most of the rosehips removed) and Pre Alpin fibre or herb. The Pre Alpin is available from The Tortoise Lady, the other two can be found on zooplus.co.uk . We also like the degu seed mix available from ratrations.co.uk and it's generally well liked by degus. This can be fed every day alongside the commercial feed as it adds interest and variety to their diet, but more importantly, they're high in energy and the right balance of nutrients to try and maintain healthy teeth. Next on the list is a good variety of herbs and other plant matter, which is important in increasing fibre in the diet and can be fed in unlimited quantities. For buying dried plants, you can get some mixes from P@H but they work out to be a lot more expensive. Zooplus has a decent selection to make a basic mix with if you buy the garden herbs, dandelion, dandelion root, milk thistle (very spikey), and blossom pack, but sites like ratrations, chinchillas2shop, galens garden and shelled warriors also sell a lot more variety. Shelled warriors flower mix is pricey but really well liked by my boys. The other option is to go out and pick some stuff or grow it yourself. Easiest things to grow are herbs like parsley, sage, thyme, mint, lemon balm etc or weeds like dandelion and clover. But to go picking you need to be confident in identifying the plants you're looking for as some safe plants can look similar to toxic ones. As far as treats go, the main thing I would tell you to stop immediately is the yogurt drops. They really aren't suitable for degus and I don't know why P@H advertise them as being a degu treat. Small amounts of sunflower seeds won't hurt by any means, and it's the only way I can get my terrors to do anything! A bit of millet once a week won't do the diet a huge amount of damage, but how many monkey nuts would you say you get through a week? Don't worry that this probably seems like a lot of info to take in, it can be a really daunting task learning about degu diet and adapting to it. If you have any questions at all regarding anything (no matter how small or silly it might seem) then don't hesitate to ask. We've all been in your position at one point or another, so we understand how steep a learning curve it really is when it comes to goos! |
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Post by **Lisa1989** on Jul 5, 2014 16:36:09 GMT
Really informative thanks so much. I'll be online tonight ordering. I'll stop with the yoghurt drops. Which they'll not be pleased about but they'll get other stuff instead. Used to give them loads of nuts until I realised how fattening they were so not many at all now. Once a week if that. They also like porridge oats forgot to mention but that's also in small quantities. I work for Aldi and they sell potted herbs such as basil, coriander etc would they be any good? I'm uploading a picture to photo bucket of sids poorly if I can remember how to post it on here.
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Post by **Lisa1989** on Jul 5, 2014 16:50:23 GMT
Theres sids poorly foot.  Seems better than it was yesterday though, it scabbed over but I think he picked it off little terror. So should be ok! |
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Post by ntg on Jul 6, 2014 6:45:36 GMT
Yes the herb pots are absolutely fine Ouch, that looks sore! Is there any sign of infection from it as it looks quite red in this photo? |
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Post by **Lisa1989** on Jul 6, 2014 10:52:13 GMT
I'll get them some later. Thanks.
No it's not weeping or anything like that and he's walking and climbing fine. It's just really red and scabby so im hoping it's not serious. I put a tiny dab of antiseptic cream on which seemed to bring the swelling down so well just see through the day
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Post by **Lisa1989** on Jul 10, 2014 8:43:31 GMT
*UPDATE*
Sid seems to be looking better, Wont eat his veg at all though, seems adamant hes not going to try it, but ill keep giving him it, Got some new food through the post off the sites you all recommended. Going to give them a bowl later, Diego however loves his veg, especially basil & red pepper. Heres some pics
Sids foot is no longer swollen just a cut now. So I think were in the clear. Ill keep putting antiseptic cream on but he lets me touch it so I don't think its too painful for him 
Cant see very well cos he wouldn't let me take a picture of his teeth but they're starting to look healthier too, Don't know how when he wont eat his greens but im not complaining 
Thanks for your help everyone!! Just to get him better and start introductions again |
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Seems better than it was yesterday though, it scabbed over but I think he picked it off little terror. So should be ok!
