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Post by deguconvert on Aug 6, 2016 21:24:46 GMT
Haaj!! I am devastated for you!!! You must be numb from shock, and the pain of his sudden death. I am so, so sorry!! I wasn't the least bit alarmed with the appearance of his toe from your photo, and yet to hear that there was already dead tissue, proves that greater measures were needed than I would have thought. You absolutely did the right thing to take him to the vet, and she did the right thing to try to remove the dead and infected tissues. I am sorry for the massive allergic reaction that took his life, but if I may say, I am deeply thankful that circumstances did not take the path of an agonizing and slow death due to sepsis.
When you empty and clean out Earwigs cage for the other two degus, I would recommend that you transfer the substrate that is in their current cage, straight over into Earwigs cage and then rub it around in there so that you begin to make that cage smell just like them. I would leave this substrate in that "new" to them cage for the next week or two so that they have ample time to adjust to it and be well settled, before you consider giving them a clean out with some new substrate. Then, keep some of the old smelly stuff and spread a two handfuls of it over top of the clean substrate to ensure that they continue to know it is their space.
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Post by Bexi87 on Aug 6, 2016 21:48:58 GMT
Oh haaj I am so sorry  |
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haaj
Foraging Degu
Posts: 99 
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Post by haaj on Aug 6, 2016 21:56:52 GMT
Haaj!! I am devastated for you!!! You must be numb from shock, and the pain of his sudden death. I am so, so sorry!! I wasn't the least bit alarmed with the appearance of his toe from your photo, and yet to hear that there was already dead tissue, proves that greater measures were needed than I would have thought. You absolutely did the right thing to take him to the vet, and she did the right thing to try to remove the dead and infected tissues. I am sorry for the massive allergic reaction that took his life, but if I may say, I am deeply thankful that circumstances did not take the path of an agonizing and slow death due to sepsis. Ahh thanks - you're right of course, and we keep saying all this to each other, but I'm sure you know how difficult this is in any case. I just hope the vet knew what she was doing - no way to check really, and a very terrible idea if she could be responsible. Maybe she didn't want to go full measure because of Earwig's age, which she estimated was at least 4 years. Ergh. It's just that we only had to go to the vet twice so far - tried to keep a good eye on our goos, and their diet - each time things didn't seem major at all at first, and each time the goo died soon afterward. Right now I don't know if I'll ever take my goos to the vet ever again - so stressful for them, and it's horrible to think that this stress can be the last thing they'll feel, as it was with Earwig and Warmfur. When you empty and clean out Earwigs cage for the other two degus, I would recommend that you transfer the substrate that is in their current cage, straight over into Earwigs cage and then rub it around in there so that you begin to make that cage smell just like them. I would leave this substrate in that "new" to them cage for the next week or two so that they have ample time to adjust to it and be well settled, before you consider giving them a clean out with some new substrate. Then, keep some of the old smelly stuff and spread a two handfuls of it over top of the clean substrate to ensure that they continue to know it is their space. We actually almost forgot about this, your message came just in time! Right now they're already inside, checking stuff out. We've tried to keep ourselves busy this evening by arranging for a few extra toys and distractions for them to explore. It seems to be working out fine right now. Degu curiosity is constantly on display, and takes our minds off things for a bit. |
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Post by bouncy on Aug 6, 2016 22:09:30 GMT
Degus are better than TV  |
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Post by Bexi87 on Aug 6, 2016 22:14:22 GMT
I'm sure, once you are both feeling a little bit better, that the vet will be happy to talk about your worries and past experiences?
It's an extremely difficult one - obviously emotions are high at any point when a vet is involved and lot of their 'trade' depends on who trained them so one vet may manage a problem in a completely different way to another vet. It might be worth writing an email now whilst you are still feeling the full force of the loss of Earwig an then save it. Go back to it in a week or so and makes any changes and then send it to them?
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Post by yasmin on Aug 7, 2016 2:38:55 GMT
My heart goes out to you haaj. You definitely did the right thing to go to the vet, and the vet did the best they could. Sincerest condolences.  |
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haaj
Foraging Degu
Posts: 99
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Post by haaj on Aug 7, 2016 8:29:38 GMT
Thank you Yasmin!
We've had a rotten morning, since that's the time of the day when Earwig would usually climb the bean bag chair next to the bed, and then jump onto the bed and demand that we wake up and play. Trying not to think about it. The youngsters have spent their first night in the new cage and seem to be a bit bummed out - I think they've slept in the wheel, rather than in their old hammock. I hope it won't take too long for them to adapt, it's a bit sad to see them like this.
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Post by Bexi87 on Aug 7, 2016 9:01:57 GMT
It will take them a few days to adjust to the new territory, plus the fact that Earwig isn't around so they'll be adjusting to all sorts. Give them time and they will be fine  Hope you are both okay, sending lots of squeaks from my guys! |
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Post by bouncy on Aug 7, 2016 9:22:31 GMT
It's such a sad moment when there's an obvious hole in the daily routine Focus on the smaller gang and bring out their personalities. |
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Post by deguconvert on Aug 7, 2016 20:16:41 GMT
I expect that there will be moments throughout the day that will loudly declare Earwigs absence. It is strange and horrible how the silence of an absence can ring so painfully loudly. You will be feeling these for some time to come I expect. Hopefully you can find the love and special gift of having known and enjoyed him, that still lives in your hearts.
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haaj
Foraging Degu
Posts: 99
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Post by haaj on Aug 8, 2016 18:45:10 GMT
Well, the youngesters seem moresettled in today. I've been putting little bits of treats here and there in the cage so that they wouldn't be afraid to explore it, and it worked. Thing is, they've been the polar opposites of Earwig and Warmfur - haven't warmed to us much in the year they've been here, the emotional bond isn't as strong as it was with Earwig. I hate myself a little for feeling this way, but it's true I was cleaning the apartment today to make sure there aren't any stray sharp objects or anything, but there were none. I'm starting to think that Earwig did die of old age in a way - a younger degu's body would probably fight off the infection from such a little sore, probably inflicted by a particularly sharp bit of hay or something. I also found the little jar of lentils - Earwig's favorite food - on the floor. I believe we abandoned it in a hurry back on Saturday when we rushed Earwig to the vet. I used to think about how great it is that Earwig loves lentils so much; he wouldn't ever have his teeth overgrowing, because he would always give them workouts with the tough little grains he'd never give up. Seems like he didn't live long enough for me to see if I was correct. The youngsters are so picky with what they eat, they rarely touch lentils (or even trust me enough to take one from my hands - takes a closer contact since the lentil is such a small thing). We didn't even photograph Earwig much recently, having become so used to him around, seeing him doing all kinds of stuff. Here's the last image, from late July - just woke up from his afternoon nap, looks like. We miss him so much  |
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Post by goolover on Aug 8, 2016 20:37:14 GMT
Know how ur feeling haaj. When we thought we were gonna loose one of our first ever goo's I remember a feeling that if she died I didn't want any of the other goos we had, they didn't mean anything/what was the point once she was gone. The bond is so special and cant easily be recreated. Felt guilty afterwards once she recovered but I remember that awful feeling. Its grief isn't it! Since then we have created a bond with the 3rd goo we brought that again is so special. I'm sure your 2 boys, although different from Earwig and warmfur, will eventually become your little buddies. Its so quick and senseless when they are taken from us and the loss is so great. What a gorgeous lad Earwig was, I'm sure he had an amazing life with you. Feel comfort from the fact that you gave him such a great life and how much happiness, love and comfort he would have got from you. Not all goo's are that lucky.
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Post by bouncy on Aug 8, 2016 21:25:22 GMT
Earwig was a superstar who, because of his circumstances, invaded your whole house and life. It was partly those circumstances that made that immensely strong bond with him. The youngsters are just that. Stroppy teenagers who don't know what's good for them. Don't give up on them. It will take time.
There every reason for you feeling resentment towards the youngsters, because they're not Earwig and it's part of the mourning process. No goo can fill the hole he's left, but the others can help soothe your loss x
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haaj
Foraging Degu
Posts: 99
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Post by haaj on Aug 8, 2016 21:33:36 GMT
Thanks you guys... it really helps to know this is normal! Just finished giving the youngsters their first free run time after the move to Earwig's cage. They seem to have adapted - did a little bit of searching for their old digs, but returned to the cage on their own.
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Post by bouncy on Aug 8, 2016 21:36:49 GMT
When considering how much free range to give them, remember that Earwig had clear intentions. These guys have the ability to group plot for world domination! |
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Post by moletteuk on Aug 20, 2016 14:14:37 GMT
I'm so sorry for your loss, Earwig was a special goo x
(I think you were just very unlucky with his reaction to the drug, it's so difficult because there are so few drugs licensed for small furries and very little literature and information to assist vets in their decisions for degus, and small furries can be prone to these type of reactions to any type of anaesthetic.)
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