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Post by bouncy on Jan 21, 2017 15:23:55 GMT
Don't beat yourself up! Just like humans, it's hard to tell visually. Fur doesn't help. I've got to admit that mine are a solid bunch. The adults all weigh 250-310g. My pups, now 7 months, are around the 220g mark but, again, they are chunky. When others post their goo weights, I think mine are obese! This is my 310g beastie!
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jr
Foraging Degu
Posts: 90
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Post by jr on Jan 21, 2017 15:54:18 GMT
Don't be too hard on yourself JR, degus have thick fur which can disguise their weight and as the vet said, she is small framed. Just learn from it and weigh them regularly. As I said in a previous post, 2nd opinions are worth their weight in gold, especially when dealing with exotics. It could be that the previous vet thought degus are like hamsters where 2years is average. But I'd be very tempted to put in a complaint about the treatment you received at the hands of the original vet. I was thinking of going more the route of emailing them with a bit of a story and some pictures about my recovered degu who they wanted to put down and if they could please let my surely concerned ex-veterinarian know. But that's jumping the gun
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jr
Foraging Degu
Posts: 90
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Post by jr on Jan 21, 2017 15:57:31 GMT
Wow looks like a Greek god in bronze, and to scale! My avatar pic is the same degu receiving treatment now - that's her at 4 months old and still looking about pup sized. She's just a bit small, but perfect of course.
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Post by bouncy on Jan 21, 2017 16:14:24 GMT
Absolutely perfect! Mine in the photo is psychologically disturbed delinquent - referred to on here as Spidergoo or Spidey!
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Post by moletteuk on Jan 21, 2017 17:41:37 GMT
Great that this vet can sort her out on Monday Which vet did you go for in the end? German degus seem to be a little smaller than British, sub 200g seems more common over there. It really does depend on the frame though, just keep feeding her. I'm not sure about the ocoxin, it seems to be a recovery food for cancer treatment, I guess you could try a little bit, the dosage for it is small anyway. If she is being a bit fussy I would be tempted to burrito her and syringe feed her some critical care, it has a lot of what she needs in it, the soluble fibre in it is great for keeping her gut working as it should. You could also try some different mash mixes, parsnip, sweet potato, peas, mix in a little oil too for energy, mix in some crushed forage or the dregs from the bottom of a bag, also mix in chopped oats, seeds, nuts, try different combinations. If she is keen for nuggets, have you tried just crushing some of those to very small pieces?
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jr
Foraging Degu
Posts: 90
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Post by jr on Jan 21, 2017 20:21:23 GMT
Great that this vet can sort her out on Monday Which vet did you go for in the end? German degus seem to be a little smaller than British, sub 200g seems more common over there. It really does depend on the frame though, just keep feeding her. I'm not sure about the ocoxin, it seems to be a recovery food for cancer treatment, I guess you could try a little bit, the dosage for it is small anyway. If she is being a bit fussy I would be tempted to burrito her and syringe feed her some critical care, it has a lot of what she needs in it, the soluble fibre in it is great for keeping her gut working as it should. You could also try some different mash mixes, parsnip, sweet potato, peas, mix in a little oil too for energy, mix in some crushed forage or the dregs from the bottom of a bag, also mix in chopped oats, seeds, nuts, try different combinations. If she is keen for nuggets, have you tried just crushing some of those to very small pieces? Trinity Vets for the journey time - all 3 vets are interested in exotics. Almost every other pet in the waiting room was a bird/lizard/dinosaur so I guess that's a good sign. It's near Maidstone hospital in case anyone near there. The vet handled her like a pro, she only managed one small whine before having the scope in her gob and being thoroughly inspected then dropped back down, done. The other vets always sedated her before doing anything. She didn't even have time to look that miffed, just rather shocked someone had dared to touch her as I don't handle her unless she comes to me. The vet said he is used to treating chronic degu teeth and he said most of what he sees is due to bad breeding rather than just bad diet :/ His name was Richard McCort. He had no concern re her weight vs surviving the surgery. Should I be concerned?? I mean I am... One thing I have noticed is that spoiling her with this full blast radiator makes her VERY tired. Not sure whether to crank it down so she gets moving a bit more and develops hunger. She's had two lots of porridge, nuggets and some forage bits today so far, which is less than the past two days. Her hunger is definitely diminishing in general after being stuffed with food for 3 days, but not sure I want that. Re the nuggets I've tried pastes and grinds, but she seems to just want to fish them out of the bag herself, not sure what this behaviour is about but it's fine by me. She doesn't do it often but spends a long session when she does. Judging by her reaction at being shown the ocoxin I don't think she'll be taking it willingly. It doesn't smell the best and she ran off, I believe feeling aggrieved that this wasn't metacam.
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jr
Foraging Degu
Posts: 90
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Post by jr on Jan 21, 2017 20:46:20 GMT
"Radiator... makes me... impossibly... sleepy"
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Post by bouncy on Jan 21, 2017 21:23:05 GMT
Awwwwwwww
I'd say you've found a good vet - not cautious in handling, experienced..... I guess Monday will tell! I AM mightily impressed that they also treat dinosaurs.
Anaesthesia, as I understand it, is more problematic for those overweight. The dose given is usually relative to bodyweight, but not sure about gas.
Hey, if she'd rather eat normal food, don't knock it! You realise she's now going to demand silver service every evening? Bear in in mind that you don't know how many nuggets she's eating when tucked up in the bag with her back to you. She could be guzzling away.
I think the heat is more contentment. Whether it's a radiator, heat lamp, or heat mat, degus always flock and collapse. Ever seen the meerkats at London Zoo on a cold winter day? Theoretically, they are used to sunbathing.
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jr
Foraging Degu
Posts: 90
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Post by jr on Jan 21, 2017 21:34:41 GMT
Yes that makes a lot of sense, thanks bouncy - when it's summer she can find her way up to the window ledge and collapses in the rays as you say... literally caves... she looks ill while doing it as if she's lost all energy, legs at unnatural angles (folded up and sticking out the side!), fur flat, but springs up when you check her.
I think it's similar behaviour by the radiator. The less calories spent by her body on homoeostasis the better I suppose! (Definitely overthinking this).
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Post by deguconvert on Jan 21, 2017 21:52:55 GMT
I'm so thrilled with all the good reports and excellent service by the vet you have seen today!! I am SO glad for you and for your lovely girl!! Kind of can't wait for Monday . . .
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Post by bouncy on Jan 21, 2017 22:13:16 GMT
But am I the ONLY one who thinks it amazing that they treat dinosaurs?!
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jr
Foraging Degu
Posts: 90
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Post by jr on Jan 21, 2017 22:23:48 GMT
But am I the ONLY one who thinks it amazing that they treat dinosaurs?! I presumed that's what it was! Something in a huge black box, that weighed "a lot" and the vet was nervous about seeing especially after having half a nail taken off by an angry iguana. A velociraptor perhaps. He took some convincing that my girl wouldn't bite him. Of course she did not. Manners at all times.
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Post by titchycatnipsandwich on Jan 21, 2017 22:40:40 GMT
Don't beat yourself up! Just like humans, it's hard to tell visually. Fur doesn't help. I've got to admit that mine are a solid bunch. The adults all weigh 250-310g. My pups, now 7 months, are around the 220g mark but, again, they are chunky. When others post their goo weights, I think mine are obese! Heh. Your 310g looks proportionate from that angle. Compare with Fatpants and Skinnymoo (aka River and Miho)- Big and Small by TitchyCatnipSandwich, on Flickr He's 280g, she's 204g, but she looks proportionate and he is usually proportionate at ~240-250g, although the vet called him "obese" at 250g. He is a giant solid lump of hefty degu, definitely chunky round the middle and currently averse to strenuous activity. Really want those PaH pellets out of him... He's currently with his "diet" though, so hopefully back to proportionate soon. Anyway, it was just to say 310g looks good on your degu, I don't think he's obese. Unlike Fatpants over there...
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jr
Foraging Degu
Posts: 90
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Post by jr on Jan 21, 2017 22:54:35 GMT
Anyway, it was just to say 310g looks good on your degu, I don't think he's obese. Unlike Fatpants over there... Haha wow! Sort of reminds me of a good sized aubergine
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Post by bouncy on Jan 21, 2017 23:23:13 GMT
Anyway, it was just to say 310g looks good on your degu, I don't think he's obese. Unlike Fatpants over there... Haha wow! Sort of reminds me of a good sized aubergine *LMAO* I know exactly what you mean - there are those to which 'norms' just cannot be applied!
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Post by bouncy on Jan 21, 2017 23:30:12 GMT
Anyway, it was just to say 310g looks good on your degu, I don't think he's obese. Unlike Fatpants over there... Haha wow! Sort of reminds me of a good sized aubergine Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm moussaka............
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Post by deguconvert on Jan 22, 2017 6:51:25 GMT
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jr
Foraging Degu
Posts: 90
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Post by jr on Jan 22, 2017 10:25:02 GMT
Haha! My genuine guess was a large bird of prey. Prob a good thing for the degu that it was in a thick box!
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Post by bouncy on Jan 22, 2017 11:00:09 GMT
Ah, now what we're those chicken like scavengers? Not sure they made it into the films, but definitely in the book
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Post by savvy on Jan 22, 2017 11:14:56 GMT
Haha! My genuine guess was a large bird of prey. Prob a good thing for the degu that it was in a thick box! Birds of prey aren't that heavy, dinosaurs on the other hand.....
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