jmh1
Newborn Degu
Posts: 1
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Post by jmh1 on Aug 6, 2014 21:43:51 GMT
Hi, We had a beautiful ten year old male degu that was in perfect health apart from mites. We bought some bob martin sot on for small animal for mites. Within seconds of applying one drop of this to the back of his neck he was squeaking as if scared, and went crazy in his sand bath trying to get this off his back. When he calmed down, I noticed he was trembling slightly, and was wetting himself uncontrollably. His skin was cold and clammy. Within a few minutes he began convulsing badly and within a few minutes he died. In my opinion, this so called treatment killed our little boy. Then I did what I should have done in the first place: I looked it up on the net. It seems the same chemical in this is also responsible for killing cats and small dogs. The chemical is something like Permethrin. Some pet shops have told us this has already been taken off, but you always find some who dont get the message. I wish I could find a solicitor that would help us sue bob martin, and stop them doing this to anyone else. Our little degu has left such a huge hole in our hearts. The more people that are aware of this, the better chance that others wont have to go through the same.. John & Tina
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floss
Foraging Degu
Posts: 86
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Post by floss on Aug 6, 2014 22:33:07 GMT
What an awful thing to happen! I'm so sorry for your loss.
I have heard of the chemical as it's used in my horses fly repellant, you have well and truly put me off using it again though as I could carry it on my skin or clothes. I have read warnings to keep it away from Bee keeping equipment but I was clueless about the dangers to other animals. I have seen a lot of products with that pesticide in as prescription only, maybe they should make everything with it in like that.
What happened to your poor Degu is basically what happens a to the lice/mites it kills, it sends the nervous system haywire.
Despite knowing the above I may of considered using this product myself for my degus if it is marketed of small animals and I had not checked. Although I have never seen it. Surly they should have at least a clear warning sign on the packet!!!
Thank you for warning others, hopefully your post alone will save other Degus lives.
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Post by anita on Aug 6, 2014 22:59:05 GMT
John and Tina that is horrendous I feel for both of you thank you so much for the warning.
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Post by Maravilla on Aug 7, 2014 9:52:23 GMT
I am really sorry about your horrible loss! It is an awful thing, wanting to help and loosing the animal.
But: it should not only be a warning for this product but also a warning for not just buying stuff without asking a vet beforehand. How do you know that your degu suffered from mites? What kind of mites? Have you consulted a vet? What about the other animals? Any symptoms in them?
There are different types of mite, some live on the rodent, some in the environment. I would never ever just buy something used on the animal without knowing what type of parasite it is. Maybe it was not mites but another thing?
A couple of years ago we twice had mites (Dermanyssus gallinae) in our cage. These are mites who live in the environment and only "visit" the rodent for drinking blood. We went to the vet, got some stuff to give the animal (the first time it was something to take orally, the second time drops to put on their neck) and cleaned their cage and all the accessories a couple of times. It was an awful time. But the only thing we bought at a pet shop was the stuff to clean their cage. I would never buy stuff to use on degus in a pet shop without having consulted a vet or other degu owners.
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Post by saddlers on Aug 7, 2014 15:37:19 GMT
Sorry to hear about your loss, however I do agree that if something is targeted as being safe for small animals then it should reasonable to assume that is the case. Otherwise the same could be said for any food products that are marketed as such. Thanks for the heads up at least it may prevent others from going through the same experience.
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Post by Maravilla on Aug 7, 2014 16:50:55 GMT
however I do agree that if something is targeted as being safe for small animals then it should reasonable to assume that is the case. Otherwise the same could be said for any food products that are marketed as such. Exactly... the food products are not really safe even if they say so. So it is always better to check before buying. And in case of an ill animal I would rather trust other more experienced animal owners than a pet shop.
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Post by deguconvert on Aug 8, 2014 19:58:00 GMT
I am so SO sorry for your loss!! What a horrible experience for you and for your little boy! I am shattered for you. SO sorry!
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Post by klbishop on Aug 9, 2014 11:59:52 GMT
I am so sorry for your loss honey x
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