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Post by kathyandholly on Aug 6, 2014 20:02:58 GMT
Hi I am posting on behalf of my 10 year old daughter, she loves her 3 degus's (Paul, George and Ringo). The boys have lived with us since my daughter was 5/6 and have been the source of great amusement for all the family.
Recently one of the boys became really sick and although I managed to perk him up a bit, he has gone down hill again. I looked at Degutopia for advice, and looked at symptoms, ect and what likely causes were and delt with those to the best of my ability, I spoke to our vet who needed me to explain what they were. I'm not sure that there is much I can do for him, except make him as comfortable as possible. I wonder if he is just an old man as his 'brothers' are perfectly fit, and although 'brothers' we were never sure that they were from the same litter, as the were always them and him.
One of his symptoms is loss of fur so his pals, keep tucking up around him to keep him warm, and creating a nest around him when he is snuggled in the corner.
Given my vet's limited Degu experience, and that the stress of getting him there could kill him, is there anything else practical I can do to help him?
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Post by saddlers on Aug 7, 2014 15:30:35 GMT
Sorry to hear about your problems, how old are your degus and where are you located? Has he lost weight at all or had trouble eating? The reason I ask for your location is that you really need an exotic vet who has experience of degus who are best placed to advise. If you give us a bit more information about his general health we may be able to offer some advice.
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Post by kathyandholly on Aug 7, 2014 20:05:34 GMT
He is 5 years isn, not sure like I said we were told they were brothers, but the others act like brothers not him. So he could be older (we got them from pets at home, I believe they suddenly became over run at their warrington branch and shipped out frantically to other branches).
He has lost weight, but not appetite, if I give any veg to boost Vitamins, he's the only one that eats it. His mates look super healthy.
we are on holiday at the moment, but usually located in north west cumbria. I have done everything indicated by degutoia, except stress, but he is the quickest to bounce to of his cage on to your knee, and from observation stressed by very little.
I am starting to think that maybe it is just old age, he acts like our dog, who is 14. loosing weight, mind thinking younger than body allows. I just need to know that he is as comfortable as I can make him, its a sad sight, but then I suppose old age can be... :-(
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Post by Maravilla on Aug 7, 2014 20:10:37 GMT
But what other symptoms do you notice? You said you looked symptoms up at degutopia, what were you looking for? Anything special in his eating habits?
5 years is not really an age for a degu, but it could be that the ages told by PAH were not right... wouldn't surprise me indeed.
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Post by kathyandholly on Aug 8, 2014 19:28:07 GMT
Ok,
Ringo the sick degu, has loss of fur, weight and unknown to my daughter has had a couple of seizures /heart attacks. at this point we took him out every night for a few extra oats, to boost his weight. this seemed to work, and we have been observing, and offering fresh veg, he is eating everything he can get his paws on.
Degutopia hint that this means stress or malnutrition, but his mates are in fine looking health and he is the first to hop on your lap for a cuddle, so I'm not convinced it could be stress.
I am very sure we were misled about at least his age, we were told 5/ 6 months, which could be right for his friends but I think he could be from another branch of the extensive warrington PAH Degu family.
He has only been lethargic one day recently when it was extremely hot, but fairly active at other times.
I am most confused because small curries usually go down hill quickly, but he's hanging on and trying to play with his mates, and occasionally start fights.
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Post by deguconvert on Aug 8, 2014 20:21:24 GMT
Can you tell us what all you feed your degus? Do you leave food in the cage so that they can eat on demand, or do you feed a certain amount at certain times of the day?
It encourages me that he is determined to live and keep on going. He sounds like a truly lovely little fellow! Have you had him checked by a vet at all?
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Post by kathyandholly on Aug 10, 2014 21:09:17 GMT
they get fed at my daughters bedtime, and the food gets left in, I check around next day for any random left over veg, and bin it. they are off tap water since he got ill, and topping up small amounts of asda's cheap bottled water.
However I'm not convinced its food related as his friends look perfectly ok.
I haven't had him to a vet, I'm worried about escape on route (although not far) and that shock could kill him. I did ask the vet about additional vitamins, and had to describe a degu to him, to which he advised Hamster vitamins. I haven't given hamster vitamins, as, not sure they would be correct, and they are a different size to hamsters.
We think the fur loss has started, so although he has significant bald patches, they haven't got worse, but he has loss weight, and wouldn't touch apple wood today. :-(
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Post by deguconvert on Aug 11, 2014 2:38:47 GMT
Oil seeds like sunflower seeds, flax, and sesame are good sources of healthy calories, and so are oat flakes. These will help boost his weight hopefully. I would recommend holding him in your hand and giving him a palm full of a mix of these if you can put your hands on them. They should be easily found at your preferred grocery store. Don't be afraid to offer these a couple times a day, and watch to see if he starts to put on some weight again. Also, maybe try some dill seeds or fresh dill greens, see if those help to wind up his appetite a bit.
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Post by kathyandholly on Aug 11, 2014 17:46:02 GMT
Unfortunately Ringo gave up fighting this afternoon.
He spent his last half hour in my daughters hands, being told how much she loves him.
I now have to concentrate on 2 confused degus's. I have tried altering some things in their cage to distract them. And I am leaving them in a more public place till tomorrow night,that way there will be plenty going on around them.
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Post by yasmin on Aug 11, 2014 22:31:01 GMT
Sincere condolences to you, your daughter and Ringo's buddies.  |
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Post by deguconvert on Aug 13, 2014 4:17:53 GMT
I am so sorry, KathyandHolly! My thoughts are with you, your deeply grieving daughter, and the two bewildered degus that remain. I hope and pray you will find great comfort in each other.
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Post by saddlers on Aug 13, 2014 17:03:18 GMT
Sorry to hear about your loss
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