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Post by tonni27 on Jan 27, 2017 18:22:08 GMT
Hi everyone!
New to the forum. I had two wonderful male Degus since 2011. Malibu and Cola, unfortunately Malibu started getting breathing issues last year, the vet suggested an underlying chest problem. He seemed to perk up and was fine for many months after some antibiotics and TLC. Over the last week, I noticed that although he was still eating he had started losing weight... on Wednesday evening I found him unresponsive in bed. He was still breathing but I knew it was his time. I had to make the hardest decision and take him to the vets who said the best thing for him is to go to Degu heaven 😭 I didn't want to see him suffer anymore but at least I got to say goodbye.
Since then cola has been really quiet, he's eating but not exercising and spends most of his time staring out the cage or in bed which is unlike him. I'm going to completely modify his cage tomorrow with brand new toys, maybe a fluffy teddy for him to cuddle and remove Malibu's scent as I have read this is the best thing for them but has anyone got any other suggestions? I don't want to introduce him to a new degu, I don't feel confident he would be accepting of a new friend especially at 5 and half years old. Any advice would be great! 😊
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Post by savvy on Jan 27, 2017 18:55:16 GMT
Welcome to the forum.
I sympathise with the decision you had to make, most of us have been there and its a truly awful thing to have to do no matter how much you know its for the best.
Did Malibu get a chance to say goodbye at all? It can take some degus longer than others to get over the loss of a companion, but I think giving him his cage a bit of a makeover may help.
I know that you said that you don't want to introduce him to another due to his age, but it does sound like he is missing degu company. There are plenty of older degus who are in the same position as Cola and are looking for a loving home and friend. Please check the local rescue centres, or even Gumtree. Older degus can be very hard to rehome because everyone wants a pup, and I am sure they would welcome you with open arms as you clearly have experience and it would not only be helping Cola, but also another bereaved little chat.
I had to do the same thing in November last year when I suddenly lost Pixie, leaving Dixie alone. Bumblebee was advertised as needing a new home as he had also lost his degu pal. When I went to see him, he was a miserable little bundle of fluff squatting on the shelf of his cage. I bought him home the next day and the change in both Dixie and Bumblebee was almost immediate. I am still in the introduction stage but the little guy is vocal, active and has a hearty appetite.
Please let us know whatever you decide, but we are here for you no matter what.
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Post by deguconvert on Jan 27, 2017 20:07:20 GMT
Hello Tonni, and welcome to the forum. I am so sorry for your loss, and the grief that you and your remaining degu are feeling.
I think finding him a friend or two is also completely doable at his age. If you leave him in his grief, he could die of a broken heart, well before his time. We have many degus on the forum (LOL their owners type for them) that are 6-8 years of age, and there are a few that have reached 9-10 and one that is 13!!
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Post by Deleted on Jan 27, 2017 20:16:43 GMT
Hi Tonni!
Sorry you had to come here for such a sad reason, but you've done the right thing to ask for advice!
The advice you've been given is very good advice, Cola would really love a friend sometime soon, you will see him become his happy self again if he had a pal. There's plenty of old degus in rehoming centres etc. or with people who are in the same boat as you, so it shouldn't be too hard! He's not too old necessarily. We can point you in the right direction if you do want to find him a friend ❤
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Post by bouncy on Jan 27, 2017 21:51:13 GMT
Awwwwwwww poor Cola! He's mourning right now, which is perfectly natural after five years. In the meantime, consider things like a bit of extra attention, a cuddly toy to degu pile with, and perhaps a snugglesafe.
As the others suggests, it's perfectly normal to find him another cage mate of a similar age - he'd probably get naked with a pup running around, so rescues are a fantastic idea. As rescues often try to pair up singles, perhaps you'd consider introducing him to a pair? It would mean not having to go through a second introduction further down the line and they can help each other with any future mourning.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 27, 2017 21:57:18 GMT
Did you mean to say he'd get naked bouncy?
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Post by ntg on Jan 27, 2017 21:59:18 GMT
So sorry for your loss tonni.
I'm one of the ones with an older gent (9-10), he lives with his son (4.5) and I'm about to get a couple of 3-4 year olds to introduce to them. So Cola might have plenty more years in him yet!
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Post by ntg on Jan 27, 2017 22:00:32 GMT
I think she meant knackered @emdalliance, but I could be wrong  |
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Post by bouncy on Jan 27, 2017 22:07:00 GMT
LMAO!! Bloomin autocorrect!! I meant narked! I suppose he might get naked with a pup if the energetic critter drove him mad enough to pull his fur out! |
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Post by savvy on Jan 28, 2017 10:51:52 GMT
LMAO!! Bloomin autocorrect!! I meant narked! I suppose he might get naked with a pup if the energetic critter drove him mad enough to pull his fur out! Or there was a little over enthusiastic grooming going on. |
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Post by tonni27 on Jan 28, 2017 19:49:49 GMT
Hey!
Thank you for all your kind words and support.. it's really helped and gave me a lot to think about.
Just to let you know after taking him out of the cage, making some major changes, brand new toys and a good clean he seems very happy, he's playing, exploring and appears to be training for the marathon! I've also moved him from the living room to my bedroom so he will be able to see me more and hopefully feel like he has some company at bedtime. I know he might just be enjoying the novelty of being able to use the wheel when he wants or have the food bowl to himself at the moment because they always wanted to be on the same one!
I'll be keeping a very close eye over the next week and if I notice anything other than him being happy like today then I will definitely look to introduce him to a new friend 😊 thank you so much for all your advice!
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Post by klbishop on Jan 30, 2017 14:46:07 GMT
I am really sorry for your loss, I hope you find lots of support and comfort on the forum xx
How are you finding having your guy in your room? I managed one night when we stayed at my mother in laws.... there was very little sleep.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 30, 2017 14:56:24 GMT
Yes, I was wondering this too?
We managed 3 nights, my boyfriend slept through but every slight sound woke me. I'm a very light sleeper. I ended up dragging them into the hall lol!
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Post by uglibug on Jan 30, 2017 18:55:42 GMT
We are also one of the people with a very senior goo. We adopted Mater when he was 10, we were told he probably had a few months left. Nearly 4 years later he's still here, still bouncy and happy, if a little arthritic. It's certainly worth considering a companion for your guy, he could have many happy years ahead yet.
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