Help! Newly homed degus sneezing!

[amyl0u]

I bought my degus (both female) home last Thursday & they've both settled in really well. They're both eating, drinking, playing & sleeping fine. However, I've only had them just over 2 days & I've noticed them both sneezing - one more so than the other. I've also noticed (just once) that the one which sneezes more often has had a bit of clear snot(?) on her nose after sneezing which she wiped away with her paws.

What is causing this? The only thing that's different is the bedding - could that be it? Is it because they're still settling? They had wood shavings in the shop but I've got the recycled paper pellet type bedding/litter which they said would be perfect for them (especially because it's not very dusty). The one which doesn't sneeze as much seems to be sneezing increasingly more. I'm a little worried as I hope they're not ill! I want them to be happy & healthy.

Can anyone help? They're around 12 weeks old (if that makes any difference), the cage is very clean & apart from sneezing every so often, they seem to be content.

Thanks! 

[bouncy]

It could be the change in environment - a reaction to any sprays/air freshers/etc. you might use in your home. One of mine occasionally gets a bit sneezy once in a while. As for the snot, yeah, it looks like a wet nose, which then has stuff stick to it lol

Have a listen, and keep an eye on them. Look for worsening, particularly if you've used something airborne, and make sure there's no wheezing. If there is, get to your vet.

When you say pellets, which ones? Are they the hard cat litter ones abou 1cm long? If so, they may be too hard for goo feet. I think there's also been discussion about potential for the pellets swelling if ingested.

[amyl0u]

As it's early days, I'm hoping it'll be the change of environment then! I've avoided spraying any air freshners since bringing them home but I did have a bunch of flowers across the room so I've removed them.

I'll keep listening but I haven't heard any wheezing so far - I hope it stays that way!

The pellets are the ones from Pets at Home & the brand is "back-2-nature". They break up easily in your fingers & there's a good layer of Timothy hay on top of it. Is there another type of bedding you'd recommend? I want to make them as comfortable as possible.

Thank you for your quick reply as well! You've stopped me worrying too much. Maybe I'm being overly cautious but I'd rather be safe than sorry.

[bouncy]

Just looked up the pellets - softened and flattened - should be fine

In the housing and cage section, there's a couple of sticky threads looking at the pros and cons of the different types of bedding and substrates.

As you mentioned P@H, which cage did you get?

[amyl0u]

www.petsathome.com/shop/en/pets/chinchilla-and-degu-cage

It's the one in the above link.

[bouncy]

Unfortunately, P@H often mis-sell this cage as appropriate. The available space in there is rather restrictive for fuzzballs that would roam so far in the wild. It can lead to tension and fighting between goos.

In the cage section, have a look at the recommended cage sizes. All is not lost, as these cages are often available cheaply on eBay, so you can make the space by joining another to yours?

You sound like you're addicted to goos already! They're very special (in some case 'needs') and they'll do the weirdest things (I've got one that hoards anything he finds and believes he can fly, and one who happily does plank exercises amongst my clan), and will never cease to amaze you

[amyl0u]

I was so miffed when I read reviews for the cage I've got. I was having a look out of pure nosiness & as soon as I saw the negative remarks, my heart sunk. I don't think it's very good that Pets at Home can sell it for degus if it's clearly not suitable! I feel awful for my babies. The price is pretty steep as well to say it's more of a temporary cage. My girls seem okay for now but they're not getting any smaller so I will definitely be looking to at the very least add a cage on ASAP. I'll look to get a whole new larger one in the future too.

They're great! They've got such character. I've noticed mine like to put their straw "carrots" in their bed & take them out again over & over. Must be a fun game...

Thank you again for all of your help. Really appreciate it.

[bouncy]

You're very welcome!

Yeah, the cage is a pain, but at least you're aware. There was another forum member on here giving one away at the end of last year - not sure if it's still around.

Have a look in the "for sale" section lower down

There's something about degu logic that's a bit like that of a toddler, and I find it hilarious! Oh, and watch out for them burying treats - making a hole, putting the treat in, then covering it up again with their front paws whilst constantly checking to make sure no one can see them.............so busy looking out for thieves, they don't realise it's a clean, tiled floor, and it's just sat there on the floor for all to see 

[yasmin]

Welcome to the forum, amyl0u.

[amyl0u]

They seem to be enjoying coming to the open door & climbing into then sitting on my hand at the mo. In time, I hope they'll be able to come out into the room now we've "degu proofed" it. I'll certainly have a look to see if that other cage is still around - they'll definitely need the space!

I agree! They've buried more food than they've ate & they've eaten loads.

Fascinating to watch aren't they. I could sit for days just watching how they interact & play (& squabble!)

[amyl0u]

Thank you yasmin.

[moletteuk]

Have the sniffles reduced at all? I think you do need to keep a close eye on them as degus do sometimes come from PAH with infections. I would suss out a degu experienced vet ASAP and then you are sorted if she does need to see a vet.

A low dust paper based bedding is usually less likely to cause irritation than shavings, but the dust in them does vary, does it look dusty? Definitely have another think about airborne chemicals too, air fresheners, cleaning sprays, washing drying nearby etc.

We normally recommended a cage like the Aventura or Explorer (2nd edition), you may be able to return the PAH cage and get your money back if you quote the RSPCA cage size recommendations at them, I know people have done this successfully before with a group of 3, it's worth a shot.

[amyl0u]

They seem to have reduced significantly but they're still sneezing sporadically. The one which was sneezing the most is barely sneezing at all now. I'm quite lucky as a vet lives next door to us & she's aware of us having the girls. Do you think it'd be worth mentioning the sneezing to her just yet? There still isn't any wheezing from any of them either so I guess that's a good sign?

It doesn't look dusty but I keep checking for any changes. The area in which the cage is in isn't dusty either & I keep the area tidy. I've been advised to try straw/hay mattresses from my local pet shop to put on the base of the cage - what are your thoughts on this? I'm also making sure that nothing is sprayed in the room & nothing is being hung to dry etc.

I'm looking to purchase one of those as they are perfect! I wish I'd have gotten it to begin with as it's so ideal & well worth the extra £50 in my opinion. Pets at Home have really let me down! I'll not be buying any animals from there again & I won't be encouraging anyone else to do so unless it's a rescue mission. They can't be caring for them as well as they should. It wouldn't surprise me if they'd picked something up there.

I think I'll give it a go once I've got a new cage! It's definitely worth a shot.

[bouncy]

Woohoo!

It's not something you expect when you get new pets - it's usually the new humans that have the allergies to them! Sounds like the flowers were definitely playing a part!

Yours sound so trusting already! Did feel nice last night, tho, when Squidge got too close to Spidey - big cuddles in my jacket!

[amyl0u]

I think so too! No more flowers then, that's a cert.

I can't believe how they are! I expected them to be so shy at this early stage but they are really happy to approach people & especially me (the treat bringer).

Penny sat in my hand for an hour earlier, she was so content & snug. So loving!

Awww how lovely. They clearly love you lots.

[uglibug]

It may also be worth looking at your personal grooming habits. One of our girls is alergic to Sure body spray, makes her have a sneezing fit when you get too close.

[bouncy]

Feb 1, 2016 9:08:35 GMT uglibug said:

It may also be worth looking at your personal grooming habits. One of our girls is alergic to Sure body spray, makes her have a sneezing fit when you get too close.

I would say that's just plain mad, but this is degus we're talking about

[uglibug]

I know, weired little critters!!!

[moletteuk]

That's really interesting Uglibug, I'm not all that surprised really, but I'm impressed you figured out exactly what was causing it.

Just keep an eye on the sneezing, Amylou, she may have a tendency to be sensitive to things in the air. I've never used any matting products, I use Fitch and Aubiose for substrate, which are the lowest dust with highest absorbancy that work for me. I think mats might work out expensive unless they are quite good at weeing in potty areas that you can change independantly.

It sounds like you have got lucky with an extremely tame and trusting pair of degus, it's very unusual for them to be sitting in your hand like that so soon!

[amyl0u]

True - it may prove to be expensive & at the moment it doesn't look like they use any particular areas. I might look at ordering some of that substrate to try when I clean them out. I'm currently using a "back-2-nature" one from Pets at Home & so far it seems fine, but I don't really want to line their pockets anymore!

I haven't heard any sneezing at all today so I'm pleased. Maybe they were also adjusting to the new surroundings? I've banned any spraying & the like from that room as well so that should keep them happy.

I can't believe how trusting they are! I'm gobsmacked if I'm honest. I've been very patient with them & have waited for them to approach me but now I open the door & they're straight there. Penny is very cuddly whilst Flo likes to use me as a climbing frame.