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Post by Deleted on Jan 30, 2017 17:51:18 GMT
Hi Gummielindsays! Welcome to the forum!
It sounds like you've done a good job. If it still bleeds then just note that corn flour can stem the bleeding.
My advice if you really can't find a vet would be to keep it clean like you are, it may fall off or he might bite it off. Don't worry too much about holding him - sometimes a need is a must. He should survive just fine! Lots of people here have degus who have lost a few fingers lol!
Have you considered modifying the cage at all? So they have 4 full levels instead of two? They'd have enough space then, I think it lacks a bit in space if it's left as "bought" condition. The extra space might calm down the fighting.
We are also in breeding season where hormones are rife and so we see lots of fighting!
Having a degu "on top" of the others, that can't be seen, gives the "I'm on top of you so I'm higher up in the hierarchy" vibe and can upset the degus below. Is there any way you could buy a cheap second hand cage for temporary measures? Something like the 2 or 3 storey lazybones, you'd have to cover the wire flooring though. That way the other degus won't see this degu who is living in the top half as a threat, as he won't be in their territory and "on top" of them.
Degus need a cage that is at least 100cm long by 50cm deep, then as many levels as necessary to meet CARA standards, take a look on the Cage Guidelines on this forum! For three degus the critter nation needs modifying to have 4 full levels. But don't worry about that for now if you can get a spare cage for the one living on his own.
Make sure the gaps are covered well and so there will be no more accidents - we've all been there, well some of us have, including myself. I have 4 I'm trying to introduce so I know how hard it is! Mine have suffered nasty injuries from each other.
For now don't let them get to each other and don't introduce face to face until breeding season is over (ends in April) then hormones will be more chilled and things might go a bit better.
For now, keep the wound clean; try and see if you can get a cage for the goo in the top, then give the other two access to the whole cage; swap over bedding with each other; swap poops over; swap sand baths over (once the wound is healed, it needs to stay clean, sorry I forgot to mention this!)
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Post by Deleted on Jan 30, 2017 17:59:14 GMT
I don't think it's hanging off by the looks of that picture, more photos without the blood would be helpful! Can you see bone? If it's annoying enough it will probably get bitten off. I know it's hard though. But seriously, not a huge panic stations situation, keep it clean and ^ read my above post. Your goo will be fine. I know it's horrible to see, but all will be okay in a week or two!  Just for future safety measures (I don't mean to bombard you) - the wheel you have in the bottom section is unfortunately very dangerous, the bars that go across the wheel can cause degus to get their legs or necks or tails trapped and cause limb loss. I'd remove it straight away - it can cause costly vet trips and lots of stress. Degus need open wheels, like the one you have at the top, size wise a minimum of 12 inches x You seem to have covered the hole well, just make sure they don't chew at it. ☺ |
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Post by deguconvert on Jan 30, 2017 18:02:56 GMT
Hello Gummielindsays, and welcome to the forum. You have quite a lot going on! Let me just ease some of your anxiety. Injuries to the feet, like a bite that has severed, or nearly so, are not so unusual as we would like them to be. They are prime real estate for attacks, especially between cages when degus are separated as your are. You have done the right thing by making it impossible to be too near to do more damage, however, it is also important for your degus to stand on equal ground, so that one is not higher than another. High ground is interpreted as dominance, and if dominance is not actually a settled and mutually accepted thing among all contenders, the aggression and conflict will continue. Seems that the one is definitely in contention. Anyway, lets talk "toe" first. He will likely remove what is remaining of the toe himself. It is not an injury that will bleed and be life threatening. You need to keep an eye on it to watch and see if there are any changes in it. It it becomes red/purple/black, you need to have him seen immediately by a vet. If you have a bond with him such that he will willingly touch your hand with his feet, then you should be able to tell if it is hot to the touch. If it is, there may be infection, which needs veterinary attention and antibiotics. If the swelling begins to reduce, and the colour is pink/grayish (skin colour under the fur can be anywhere in the pink to gray tones) it should be getting better. You may need to boil some water, let it cool, add a titch of salt and dissolve it, and then splodge it on with a cotton bud to help clean and soothe his foot. DO NOT give him access to the sand bath until the foot is sealed over and healed up. The introductory issues . . . those are a thing that are trying, difficult, and totally possible though they take time, effort, creative methods, and lots and lots of patience and determination. Many intros, if not the majority, can last months and months, but once accomplished are extremely satisfying. Can I recommend that you have a read through this? deguworld.proboards.com/thread/17619/deguconverts-detailed-introductions-fighting-guide It should help you out. Please don't be afraid to ask questions at any time, about anything you see going on. Let us know how things are going, OK? |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 30, 2017 18:05:02 GMT
Have you got the original cages still? I'd put Dax in one of those, even better if you could join the two old cages up so he had lots of space x
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Post by Deleted on Jan 30, 2017 18:08:42 GMT
Okay! That's good! He should be safe and dandy for now. As DC said, don't stress. Happens to a lot of us. Thanks for removing the wheel Zooplus.co.uk (or .com) sell a big wooden one that's big enough, or we recommend tictac wheels (I'll attach links at the bottom) in the minimum size of 12 inches x the wooden one is cheaper but might not last (depends how much it's chewed!) don't worry about rushing and getting one, I just thought I'd link it for you and tell you so you can easily find it when you fancy replacing it, and now you know 😌 www.tictacwheels.co.ukWell done for being so calm, your goo will be glad he has you! ☺ x |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 30, 2017 18:13:19 GMT
It doesn't matter who you put at the top ^ anyone being separated and on the top will cause the same problem. Xx
Are you sure they are all the same sex?
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Post by Deleted on Jan 30, 2017 18:14:53 GMT
He won't hate you, most of us have had to do it at some point! He might be a bit "well that was rude" for an hour or so but he'll forgive you after a little bit x ☺
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Post by Deleted on Jan 30, 2017 18:15:24 GMT
Ah good! 😂 at least you won't have any surprise babies.
The penis cleaning and erm performing, is why I'm glad I have girlies!
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Post by deguconvert on Jan 30, 2017 18:19:13 GMT
Yeah . . . that male act is rather disturbing, but at least it gives a clear confirmation of their sex!!
I would put them back in the side by side formation. As Emdalliance asked, do you still have the other cages so that you can do this?
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Post by Deleted on Jan 30, 2017 18:22:37 GMT
Woohoo! That's great news! How big are the old cages? Do you have any photos? Maybe you could join the two together so Dex has lots of room? x |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 30, 2017 18:26:46 GMT
Could you get some wire snips and cut a hole in the side and fasten them together? So one long cage? x |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 30, 2017 18:47:13 GMT
You're welcome! Feel free to ask any questions you ever have, no question is too silly.
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Post by moletteuk on Jan 30, 2017 20:00:46 GMT
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Post by savvy on Jan 30, 2017 20:33:02 GMT
Welcome to the forum.
Most of us have had to deal with foot injuries and although they tend to bleed a lot, they are rarely as dramatic as they look, but can give you quite a fright the first time you see them.
You will find that the smaller the degu the bigger the attitude so I'm not surprised its the smallest whose the most bossy.
As has been said before ask any questions you need to, degus are a law unto themselves and there are no silly questions.
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Post by bouncy on Jan 30, 2017 21:01:20 GMT
Hi, and welcome!
Please don't worry about fingers/toes. Five of my six have them missing (yeah, I've got an aggressive one too), and all are fine. I remember how much blood there was from the most recent one. Initial bleeding is good, because it will flush the wound. After that, just let them get on with things. The only thing you need to keep an eye on is any signs of infection, but they'll likely be back to using normally very soon!
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Post by Deleted on Jan 30, 2017 22:08:15 GMT
When my Poppy was attacked in an FBOD a few times, if I went near her for a few hours she'd try and bite me - scared. She still loves me though and she's the most loving goo ever - they just go into fight or flight mode and since they can't run away they will make aggressive noises. I promise you he will forgive you and love you just as much when it's all over. Poppy has been through the wars and still loves me lol.
Once it's scabbed nicely I'd leave it alone unless it looks very dirty - stuff stuck to it. I only ever cleaned my ladies' wounds once then left them to it unless hay got stuck in it etc. I've had fingers bit, chunks taken out of legs, tail bitten off, noses and cheeks bit, tails bit and the list goes on! They're all fine and still like me haha x
I'd leave him alone now as long as stuff doesn't get stuck in it.
Do you have a snugglesafe? X
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Post by Deleted on Jan 30, 2017 22:26:15 GMT
A snugglesafe is a microwave heat pad for degus!
Are you in the UK or elsewhere? I'll find a good cheap link for you.
Ours have them and they loooove them. Do them twice a day. Good for goos who feel sorry for themselves and goos who don't have anyone to cuddle x
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Post by savvy on Jan 30, 2017 22:49:23 GMT
He'll be feeling a bit sorry for himself but he should be OK. You may be able to get snugglesafe or something similar in Canada, we have at least one member from Canada who should be able to give you more information.
He will be a bit defensive if he's injured so I wouldn't worry about that. Just keep checking the paw to make sure its healing and doesn't feel hot to the touch. If it does he will need to be seen by a vet.
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Post by moletteuk on Jan 31, 2017 15:01:43 GMT
Good to hear it seems to be improving. If you feel it needs more applications of polysporin, perhaps you could put some in a spray bottle and apply it that way so you don't need to manhandle him to apply it. Take out any sandbath.
The longer you have them and more you get to know them, you will realise more and more how intelligent they are and how massively complex their social systems and heirarchy is. Give them credit for having a reason or purpose and something that may look like bad behaviour often makes more sense. Try and allow for their crazy, determined or perhaps prey-fear driven ways and put yourself in their shoes and you may come to understand and appreciate them all the more and build stronger bonds with them.
We have 2 or 3 regular members in Canada, so don't be afraid to ask any Canada specific questions.
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Post by deguconvert on Jan 31, 2017 17:31:35 GMT
I'm north of you, in Calgary! A sock full of rice, or lentils, or beans, (something like) and warmed in a microwave will also work. Just give them a good feel and it they are too hot for your hand to rest on continuously, they are too hot for the degu. You can wrap it more, or let it cool before giving it to him.
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