h3li3
Warbling Degu
Posts: 40
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Post by h3li3 on May 7, 2015 14:51:28 GMT
New owner to 2 degu females. Both just under 1 year old. Just discovered this: They were cleaned out yesterday and I let them loose in my room whilst I was doing so. Kept an eye on them, nothing happened except one tried to chew the skirting boards - which are painted with white gloss (a little worried but I don't think she would have ingested it? There is a very small mark) This morning they had: degu pellets, hay, dried dandelion mix, small amount of fresh dill + parsley and two tiny cubes of sweet potato. They don't always get this just 2 times a week. Normally hay and pellets. They're drinking around 70ml per day and I see both of them drink. Not sure if UTI or discolouration. I heard dandelion can do this and they have eaten dried flower. Both seem happy - drinking and eating, wanting to come out, grooming each other. They have been boxing a little more than usual recently and it was only 2 weeks ago they were moved to me so I'm a little worried stress plus introducing new foods could have been a risk factor to UTI? What do you think?
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Post by deguconvert on May 7, 2015 15:44:34 GMT
I'm pretty sure it is the result of the dandelion mix. It is quite a common reaction. However, if it gets worse or you notice a change in behavior (lethargy) with either one, take them to your vet to have them be checked.
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Post by moletteuk on May 7, 2015 15:54:02 GMT
Hi, welcome to the forum It's far more likely to be discoloration, especially if their drinking and peeing levels have remained stable and they don't seem in any pain when they pee. Loads of different things can make the pee any shade of red or orange, maybe the dandelion flower or the colour looks quite like sweet potato colour. Wood bark is a common cause too. It should go back to normal in a few hours if they don't eat any more, if you want to make sure. By the way, things like the dandelion mix and fresh herbs and other varied forage items like that are great for them and you should feed every day. See diet section for more info. I don't think stress and new foods should really be much of a risk factor for a UTI, I do think the stress of a new home could cause them to be boxing more than usual because new territory can spark some fighting, but if it's just a bit of boxing it's nothing to worry about. Hopefully they will settle down soon. Very small amounts of gloss paint should be OK too, I think most pet degus end up chewing the odd thing they aren't supposed to.
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Post by deguconvert on May 7, 2015 15:58:07 GMT
I think most pet degus end up chewing the odd thing they aren't supposed to. a very hearty, YES, YES, and YES!!
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Post by jamiee on May 7, 2015 16:38:22 GMT
Certainly yes! Books, a wardrobe, some painted wood, the wall itself, and even a phone case have all been tried an tested by my lot!
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Post by animalmadchloe on May 7, 2015 19:30:04 GMT
Looks like dandelion or wood wee
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h3li3
Warbling Degu
Posts: 40
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Post by h3li3 on May 7, 2015 20:17:28 GMT
Thank you everyone. They had dried hibiscus in their mix, probably that.
They're doing well so I'm not too worried.
It is the smaller one's urine. Her teeth are less yellow than the other one and she weighs less. But she's the brightest/friendliest/eats and drinks so I'm not too worried. She's also white patch/gray whereas the other one is brown agouti, don't know if genetics may mean she's smaller.
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Post by uglibug on May 8, 2015 6:45:01 GMT
It could be genetics, or it could just be that she is a submissive goo. All 3 of our 'alpha' goos are bigger thab their cage mates, probably because they get first pick of everything.
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Post by moletteuk on May 8, 2015 13:01:53 GMT
Hibiscus is a major culprit for staining the wee. Yes, blue (grey) degus can be a bit smaller sometimes. Check out our feeding guide and have a think about calcium content in their diet if teeth aren't as orange as they might be deguworld.proboards.com/thread/16425/degu-feeding-guide You can add calcium to the diet with high calcium forage and seeds.
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Post by ntg on May 9, 2015 8:26:56 GMT
I think most pet degus end up chewing the odd thing they aren't supposed to. *grumbles* Venk pulled a fitted sheet into the cage and ate a whole corner, elastic and all over the Easter break. I spent the entire weekend panicking about him because he was lethargic and not eating much (still pooping and generally having an attitude problem though). Absolutely fine two days later, they're tough nuts.
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Post by moletteuk on May 9, 2015 13:11:54 GMT
ROFL naughty Venk, I bet you were having kittens! I'm running out of trousers without tiny little chew holes in them.
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h3li3
Warbling Degu
Posts: 40
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Post by h3li3 on May 9, 2015 14:00:39 GMT
Yeah these two have already chewed through their hammock and pulled a blanket through the bars....
Caught one of them trying to chew a wire when I let them out for a bit.... (I naively thought I'd turn everything off to be safe but wouldn't have to move all the wires) Time to degu proof my room.
One of mine was really quiet after disappearing for awhile under the bed. Don't know what spooked her but she's good now.
Considering getting a playpen they can't jump out of but free roaming my room is clearly what they want to do.
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