Help Please..Got Degus back,haven't been looked after right!

[fb1928]

Due to a relocating up North from the South my partner and I had to leave our beloved Degus in the 'care' of a family member for about 5months while we got our house sorted.

Well got them back today but it is clear to see they haven't received the correct care

We feel so guilty and sorry for them. Blaming ourselves so much as we knew when leaving them they were going to be with an unexperienced Degu owner but put trust in them, and the only other option was to rehome them which was never an option.

Before leaving them we gave the family member strict instructions on what they required regarding food, forage, hay, cleaning the cages, sand bath etc, we even supplied everything they needed to so excuses.

Well... They clearly haven't been fed much as they gave us loads of their feed supply back, we have worked out they have only had about 2months worth of food over the 5months they had them!! They haven't been given any hay, the cage doesn't look like its been cleaned out often. Our oldest male who always loved attention and coming out seems very wobbly when held and not confident at all but this could be due to lack of nutrition. The younger male has become very shy and hides when anyone goes near the cage.

We have also noticed that our younger male has a small bald patch on his back near his neck... Anyone know what could of caused this?

We have weighted them both;
Older Male:
Used to weigh - 250g
Now weighs - 225g (So still in healthy weight but lost an amount compared to what he use to weight)

Younger Male:
Used to weigh: 215g
Now weights: 170g
(Very concerned about his weight)
He has also been a bit lighter and smaller then average as he was born a few weeks premature.

Sorry to go on I just feel so upset and guilty for leaving them, it all my fault 😢 call me silly but I was actually in tears once they had been dropped off, they are our little babies, we have owned the older one since 2months old now 3.5years old and the younger male, his son was born in our old house. And as we are so concerned thought I would come to hear as I know there is loads of great advice and very experienced Degus owners who can help.

Please could you give me some advise on how to help them to regain the weight and get there health back to normal? Will they be okay after not being treated right? What signs should we look out for?

[savvy]

I don't think you're being silly at all, I'm just as bad with mine. Its not your fault, you didn't do anything wrong, so please don't blame yourself.

Ok, first things first, have you given them plenty of forage? They will need extra treats to build them back up again. High energy seeds and nuts will help them put weight back on.

You may need to go back to the beginning and rebuild trust, its been a while and they will be a little stressed from the move back. They will forgive you in time, but could sulk for a bit.

If they haven't been fed correctly, check their teeth. They should be orange and not overly long. Can they eat correctly? The bald patch could be stress or over grooming.

Make sure they have a sand bath so they can have a good roll. It will make them feel loads better.

Give the cage a clean, not too deep a clean, just enough so it feels pleasant to them.

They should recover in time, but at least you can spoil them now.

[savvy]

Oh and check they are pooing normally.

[fb1928]

Thank you. I know its not are fault but cant help but think we are to blame, as we are meant to care for them. I can imagine any pet owner would feel the same though.

We have filled the cage with lots of forage and hay, we have also given them some porridge oats which they love and a few little treats when holding them before putting them in their cage. I have given their cage a good clean and is looking a lot fresher now.

I will buy a selection of different nuts and seeds, what would you recommend?

I think so, we will let them settle back in tonight and then begin the introductions tomorrow, a real shame we are back to square one hopefully they will get back to their usual self asap, The older male used to love coming out and even learnt some tricks. The younger one has also been a bit shy but once out enjoyed the interaction too.

We have checked their teeth and they are a lovely bright orange and look healthy... Luckily.

They don't seem to be too interested in the pellets but they are starting to eat the forage food now, the youngest is yet to eat any hay but has had some forage and few pellets. Will keep a close eye on them to see what they eat, they normally have very good appetites especially for the forage food.

I will keep an eye on their poo too.

Thank you, you have really set my mind at ease just was really worried, but they seem to be making progress already, they defiantly will be spoilt.

[savvy]

Glad they're settling back at home. You're right, any pet owner should feel the same.

Small pieces of walnut are good, they will help with getting them settled in. Don't forget, the new house will feel strange to them too. Maybe a hazelnut in the shell, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, a small peice of carrot, anything they love.

I'm sure they will love being spoiled rotten from now on.

[moletteuk]

How disappointing and upsetting, I would be gutted too, but onwards and upwards, hopefully they will recover quite quickly.

Back of the neck is a classic place for overgrooming, just check the skin looks OK, no redness or itching.

You are in a good position if they enjoy forage, this is the most important thing, perhaps you could go out foraging and pick some fresh stuff for them, this would get some vitamins into them really quickly, things like dandelion, plantain, hogweed, yound dock leaves, clover, grass, most deciduous tree leaves (check our list), brambles, shepherd's purse etc etc are all good and easy to find. Just start with small amounts.

Get yourself a bag of the Ratrations seed mix or make your own by concentrating on the high calcium seeds in our chart deguworld.proboards.com/thread/15602/vegetable-seed-nut-nutrition-charts

Go steady with grains like oats, they aren't nutritionally balanced and could give them glucose spikes that they aren't used to if they haven't been getting many treats, the oil seed mix is a better way to go.

Some of the larger oil seeds like hemp, milk thistle, safflower, sunflower etc might be useful along with any nuts but preferably not peanuts.

If you get them eating plenty of forage then the hay isn't so important, but readigrass and alfalfa hay can be good for calories.

I think you want to see some weight gain over the next couple of weeks but I would go carefully in the way you increase their food, you don't want them eating too many treats that might cause problems, and you want to give them some chance to get used to the extra variety again, their gut flora could be a bit depleted.

If you have the money spare, you could think about getting them a 2.4% UVB UV light, this would help get their vitamin D and calcium levels in order ASAP, and is especially useful if they don't eat many nuggets. deguworld.proboards.com/thread/19147/interesting-page-on-providing-light

Keep an eye out that they are both able to eat all types of food OK without signs of dental issues.

Don't worry about them being timid and lacking trust, you can build that back up.

[deguconvert]

I'm so glad you posted to express your worries and concerns!! You need to have that outlet and you need to know that we care with you. You've had great advice and you are off to a great start. I just wanted to say we totally understand and sympathize with your feelings. We would, and have, worried in just this way ourselves. Once you have picked up an Aventura cage (you mention this is another thread I think?) you will be so glad to see them in a cage space you feel good about, and they will love it. With the love, care, and attention they are now receiving, they will soon perk up, I'm sure of it!

[fb1928]

Savvycat: They are doing really well today, seem to be getting back their usually active self's. I have brought some walnut (going to give them small amount) and got some sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds today - which are their favourite. Yes I am sure they will

moletteuk: Hopefully they will recover quickly with the correct care. The area doesn't look red or anything just missing fur, Okay, will just continue to keep an eye on it, hopefully the fur will grow back quickly. I have ordered some Ratrations seed mix. Havn't seen these before that website looks really good I have also order some of the Degu Care+ mix too. I agree, I don't like giving them porridge oats due to the lack of nutrition and health issues but they wern't very keen on their food to begin with but as soon as a few oats are added they began eating. They are eating the forage today without oats in it, I also added some fresh forage too, not eating as much as they use to but baby steps... massive improvement from yesterday.
I am looking into getting one of the lights as I have read the boards, I'm currently looking at getting them a big cage again now we have got them back as had to sell their old one due to the move, so am defiantly going to put the money aside to get a light too.

deguconvert: Yes it really has helped posting my experience with you, as well as getting the advice I want to raise awareness for other Degus owners the risk of leaving their pets with unexperienced people, as I would hate anyone else to go throught what we have experienced, both us and the degus. Yes I did create that other post, it defiantly will cheer them up and I know they will love their new cage

Just a huge Thank You again to everyone who has commented you have really helped me and our little babies x

[randomname]

If anyone gets how upset you were/are - it's us! We'd feel the same I'm sure. It's amazing how little thought, effort & knowledge people generally show small animals. How do you not notice when they need cleaning? How do you ignore them & not want to spend a bit of time with them? I don't think people generally understand what's required although they think they do. When they discover how much work is involved, they usually dump the animal. No small animal "is less work than a dog or cat" - & it's such a shame that you had found a family member you thought you could trust & they let you down.
I suppose the good side is that, in time, your guys will be fine & will have a happy, loving home forever. They'll never have to face hard times again. Am sure you'll spoil them even more rotten after all this! I hope your family member has learned that small animals are not for them & are too much responsibility. Just glad they're ok & are back home.
Would love to hear updates on how they get along. Am sure they'll be back to normal soon. Well, normal for a (weirdo) degu anyway

[fb1928]

randomname: I know it is really unthinkable how they could neglect them like that. Exactly at least they are home now so we can give them the correct nutrition, love and attention they need. We sure will , they are going to be the most spoilt Degus ever I will keep you all updated, I'm sure they will be back to their crazy self's again soon.

[degulover21]

I'm so sorry to hear this sorry it's a late reply, it's not your fault. I can't go 12 hours without seeing my degus after work I run straight upstairs and say hello. I spend all my money on my degus then myself I love my girls much. It will all come back to them that your their owner. My degus bark,run crazy around the cage when my parents enter but my parents will always text me while at work to check what they can give them. I totally understand how you feel I'd be a mess if someone treated mine horrible please don't blame yourself. Hope the fellas are ok? Sending ❤️

[buckandbolt]

Urrg, this sucks and must be so upsetting.
If he's been over-groomed it could be because they weren't getting the interaction levels they were used to and so overcompensated. Now you're back together they should get used to sharing time with humans again and hopefully that will help the issue.

On re-socialising them with you, when I come back after working away I lie flat on the floor with them and put some bits of food on my chest, they climb on up quite happily and will run about. It gets them used to initiating contact with you and reminds them of your smell and that you're one of the good ones

Hope that helps!

[fb1928]

Thank you for your help and comments. They are both doing very well now and getting back to their usual strange Degu ways. Chewy is back to his normal outgoing self as soon as the cage door is open he is out and wanting to run around and be held. Chuckie is still a bit reserve and needs bit more encouragement but he was always a bit like that as his mummy and sisters use to baby him when he was a pup as he was the smallest premature one and now gets babied and his Daddy Chewy and us 😍 but we are pleased with his progress too. Been making a extra fuss of them the last few weeks and that seems to be doing them the world of good. They are eating like normal and pooing normally too.

With regards to the patch of missing fur, that was got larger but I believe the cage size they are currently in could also be a factor as we had to down size them from a Liberta to a slightly smaller cage but while they were away from us, they were downsized again as apparently they couldn't fit the large cage in their car! We were told this was only done the day before they were brought back to us but no sure I believe that due to everything else and a comment made by another friend stating th cage was sold pretty much straight away!! Forgot to add that bit on the original post. Sorry I'm going on again... But anyway we are planning on ordering Aventura cage as soon as my OH gets paid... Hopefully tomorrow. And we are hoping having this space again will help Chuckie out

[fb1928]

It was extremely hard leaving them behind in care of others, and not seeing then for 5mths but at least we didn't have to re-home them and never be able to see them again. We asked for them to send pictures through several times but there ws always an excuse, apart from a few very poor quality photos where you couls hardly see them. Alarm bells should of started ringing them, well they did but we thought we could trust.

[moletteuk]

They sold their cage???!!!! All I can say is I'm glad I'm not related to these people!

Great to hear the boys are coming along well though

[deguconvert]

I was thinking the same thing, Moletteuk! I think I would be sorely tempted to ask for the proceeds from that sale.

[fb1928]

Well they asked us a few weeks before they were due to bring them up about selling the cage as they couldn't fit it in their car and we agreed (Regretfully but again had no choice, we needed them back) but said to them to arrange collection for the day before, so they would be in a smaller cage for the shortest time possible but my bet is that they had already sold it a while ago! Luckily they are not blood related to me, they are from my OH family , a half sibling. I have had words with them though, as we are fuming with them. Don't want to cause I issue in the family but something had to be said.

Thank you, its good to have our boys back 😊

[fb1928]

I agree, I had requested the money back from the sale, need it to go towards the amount we have had to spend on a new cage. Not sure if I'm going to get it back easily though!

[goolover]

Very late to this thread but glad everything is settling down and you are all recovering from a bad experience. I couldn't trust anyone to look after our babies, they would literally need to be from this forum before I could even think about it lol. As Moletteuk said onwards and upwards 

[fb1928]

Thank you for your comment. Yea, I wish we had another option but we really had no choice. Don't blame you, now we have moved no one is ever looking after our little boys again but us. Was really worried about them few weeks ago but they are now doing better and better each day.