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Post by goolover on Nov 18, 2016 0:40:03 GMT
Indeed, they take our hearts without us sometimes realising until they get sick or taken from us. We lost one of our girls over a year ago now, which is how we ended up going to get Joey. She was so young and it was our fault as she inhaled powdered cement that was in a bag and it suffocated her once she inhaled it and solidified in her lungs. Heartbroken was not the word and the guilt we felt was overwhelming that we had robbed her of a long life. We cried none stop for 3 days. An awful death for her but.........it happened! She is buried in the garden so she is always with us and I think of her everyday. I know what you are going through. I know how much you loved him, my bf is gutted for you, said he wanted to steal him from you when we came over that time but I didn't tell you lol. Keep strong and think of all you did for him. The babies are lucky to have you and will hopefully fill that gap in time and maybe do things that remind you of BB and you will laugh and only think of the good times. Luv and hugs xxx
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bjames
Burrowing Degu
Posts: 220
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HELP!
Nov 19, 2016 19:31:33 GMT
via mobile
Post by bjames on Nov 19, 2016 19:31:33 GMT
I am so sorry to hear this. It is awful. Both my degus died together within the space of a few hours, had no indication they were unwell or anything. Such a sad time for you.
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Post by randomname on Nov 19, 2016 19:59:51 GMT
oh no bjames, how awful. Losing both must have been heartbreaking. Was it recent? There have been a few sudden deaths on here lately, am beginning to wonder if it's the cold weather. That's the only consistent thing I can think of that would affect people in different areas of the uk. Maybe it's because it got cold so quick? (I know with rabbits, they can withstand low temperatures pretty well, but a sudden change in temperature can kill. Maybe it's the same for degu?) I keep telling myself that it's better for the animal if they die suddenly rather than after a long drawn out illness, but it's cold comfort.
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Post by Emziedee on Nov 22, 2016 1:15:39 GMT
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Post by randomname on Nov 22, 2016 14:29:14 GMT
Garfunkel&Tibbs85 I'm fine thanks, but am really angry at myself. Can't believe he's gone. Have put the babies in his old cage, they love the room & have spent all night chucking hemp chips & sand all over the floor. They seem fine, but I feel the urge to check on them every hour. When I was cleaning it, I found BB's bed (a fleecy donut thing) all ripped up - I wonder if he ate some of it? Maybe that's what killed him? Doesn't explain how we found him though. Have removed all fabric from the chins & goos, no more hammocks or igloos. Rather be safe than sorry.
Edit: Just been watching the babies, they really love BB's big tictac wheel. They've been fighting a bit over their wooden one, so now they've got 2 they're super happy. All 3 can run on the big wheel together. They seem a bit weirded out by the steps to get from one level to another, shows how they get used to a crappy cage like the Lazybones. Am sure they'll get more confident though. Am going to get them some of those wooden bridge things & some tubes as two of them are a little skittish still. Have been working on bonding with the boss baby, Leadbelly. He is happier about me putting my hand in the big doors, he used to run away from the flap/door things on the Lazybones. He's climbing onto my hand & the other two are watching, so that's progress. Am really missing BB talking to me, hope I can get that kind of bond with Leadbelly, Jelly & Bo eventually.
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Post by randomname on Nov 22, 2016 15:22:04 GMT
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Post by spottydegu on Nov 22, 2016 15:44:56 GMT
It is basicly the explorer isnt it? I think it might be on the bottom end of 3 but is sutible for three and would be even better if you made those half shelves to full levels. Well it arrived for my two today so I am happy...
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HELP!
Nov 22, 2016 16:19:56 GMT
Post by randomname on Nov 22, 2016 16:19:56 GMT
I will be doing with the top half level spottydegu , but can't with the bottom as they have a 16" wheel which wouldn't fit. They get 5 or 6 hours in a huge 150cm x 150cm run every other day as well, so am happy they've got enough room to zoom just making sure the cage is big enough. *confession time* I used to keep my colony of 5 in a cage this size, was years before I found this forum. I got given them by the RSPCA in a triple tier Lazybones, which they said was fine. Within a week I knew they needed more room & ordered one like I have now. Looking back, I should've given them more space I know, I feel terrible. But I am glad I knew by instinct that they weren't going to be happy in what the RSPCA gave me. Have to say, the cage needed cleaning twice a week & they did fight occasionally, but all in all they got on as a group the whole time (around 7 years) - but I know they would've been a lot happier with double the cage & a run. Wish I'd had this forum back then.
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Post by deguconvert on Nov 22, 2016 17:03:18 GMT
Back then, we might not have had the larger recommendations yet, so you were probably still ahead of the game.
I still feel so bad about BB, and I'm not surprised that you miss him and the noises he would make. I had a special bond with one of our first degus that we called Reepicheep, and he talked to me all the time, and loved to spend lots of the day with me. He passed very quietly while we were on vacation one year. Our caretakers found him laying in a sunbeam as though he were sound asleep, but when they touched him, he was cold. It was so hard to lose him!! I hope and pray you will have really awesome connections with the babies in the near future.
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Post by Emziedee on Nov 23, 2016 7:49:27 GMT
Me too, I'm so sad about it I could cry. BB reminded me of Garf and the thought of him passing...
Every morning I go up to let them out now I'm relieved to see them on their perches waiting but I know one day this won't be the case and I know, I know I shouldn't be so ominous but when hamsters and rabbits died in the past I've always taken it quite badly. I just wish they lived as long as dogs and cats at least (although their time here is still not enough for me)
Thinking of him in goo heaven 🌹
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Post by winic1 on Nov 23, 2016 13:11:51 GMT
I will be doing with the top half level spottydegu , but can't with the bottom as they have a 16" wheel which wouldn't fit. Add a half level over the wheel. It will be very low in height, but they will just use it like a wide tunnel. Good place to put an extra hut or tube for a place to hide. On my cage we did this, we also put an upright wall between the two offset half levels at the wheel, so no one could jump from the half level onto or behind the spinning wheel. We also lowered the original half level next to the wheel a bit to make that space higher, with another somewhat shorter level under it. We put a coconut hull basket liner under there as a hut (turn it upside down and cut two doorways) and they have now filled the entire space with hay and woodchips with just a tunnel going deep inside to the hut. (Don't have a picture of that, yet, will get one soon. It's hilarious what they've done. And I was always accusing hubby of forgetting to fill the hay bowl, until we saw them grabbing mouthfuls and stuffing them into the pile.)
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Post by randomname on Nov 23, 2016 17:05:58 GMT
The wheel I've got is bigger than the one you've got by the look of it, there's only about 2 inches of space above it. The babies are making full use of it though, all 3 running at once is great until one idiot tries to go the opposite way.
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Post by moletteuk on Nov 23, 2016 19:52:31 GMT
3 full levels in an Explorer/ Aventura gives about 16000sqcm so is fine for 3 degus
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HELP!
Nov 23, 2016 22:12:14 GMT
Post by goolover on Nov 23, 2016 22:12:14 GMT
randomname - Was just looking at my calender and realised your boys were born 23rd May so makes them 6 month old today. I kept their sisters and named them Gracie (She's grey and the name seemed to fit right) and Peep (as she's always peeping out at us from the safety of the den). Only checked the date as the girls are growing lovely and it made me wonder. Bet the boys are happy with their new home
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Post by randomname on Nov 24, 2016 7:20:52 GMT
Thanks goolover, that's really helpful to know. I'm useless at remembering ages & birthdays, even my own kids have to remind me! The boys are growing well then, Leadbelly is nearly as big as BB was (without the fat bum) looks full grown, Jelly is normal adult size & Bo is still very young looking & a bit smaller. They've overcome their fear of the steps in the cage, are now running up & down freely. Think they're really enjoying the extra room to run & the 2 wheels. Have got some corner platforms to put in today. I got a few bits from Totally Degu on Amazon.co.uk, they make some great platforms, steps & shelves.
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