Post by nugget on Jan 19, 2023 20:20:42 GMT
One of my degus, Inky, seems to have suddenly developed cataracts and I'm not sure what's caused it? It might be genetics but I'm worried it could be diabetes.
I haven't noticed any change in eating or drinking habits. His behaviour seems normal other than he seems a bit more cautious moving around and has missed the shelf a couple of times when trying to jump up but that's probably because he's not able to see very well. Inky has always been on the bigger side but doesn't eat any more than his siblings, I think he's just less active. His aunt was the same, always bigger than her sister (Inky's mum) but didn't eat any more, and she developed mild cataracts at a slightly younger age for unknown reasons which didn't get any worse after I noticed it. But Inky's eyes do look to be a lot worse than his aunt's was which is worrying me.
Inky is a 3-year-old male, currently weighs 310g which is a normal winter weight for him (in summer he usually weighs 280g-290g). I know he is big but I don't think it's to do with diet because I've always been very strict with that, and like I said he doesn't eat more than his siblings who are smaller. I feed my degus Science Selective degu nuggets approximately 10g each (in seperate bowls) twice a day, hay is always available in the cage, and as a treat I give a sunflower seed maybe once a month or less.
Not sure if this is helpful but Inky's mum and aunt were from a pet shop so maybe there were some bad breeding practices and the genetics have passed down? One of Inky's sisters recently developed dental problems (like their mum) and the other sister very suddenly passed away at 1.5 years old for unknown reasons (same as their aunt except she was 3). I do have other degus from a rescue centre who are 4 years old and they haven't had any health problems so far.
I'm going to try to book a vets appointment but if the cataracts is caused by diabetes is there anything I can do to help manage Inky's sugar levels so his health doesn't deteriorate?
I haven't noticed any change in eating or drinking habits. His behaviour seems normal other than he seems a bit more cautious moving around and has missed the shelf a couple of times when trying to jump up but that's probably because he's not able to see very well. Inky has always been on the bigger side but doesn't eat any more than his siblings, I think he's just less active. His aunt was the same, always bigger than her sister (Inky's mum) but didn't eat any more, and she developed mild cataracts at a slightly younger age for unknown reasons which didn't get any worse after I noticed it. But Inky's eyes do look to be a lot worse than his aunt's was which is worrying me.
Inky is a 3-year-old male, currently weighs 310g which is a normal winter weight for him (in summer he usually weighs 280g-290g). I know he is big but I don't think it's to do with diet because I've always been very strict with that, and like I said he doesn't eat more than his siblings who are smaller. I feed my degus Science Selective degu nuggets approximately 10g each (in seperate bowls) twice a day, hay is always available in the cage, and as a treat I give a sunflower seed maybe once a month or less.
Not sure if this is helpful but Inky's mum and aunt were from a pet shop so maybe there were some bad breeding practices and the genetics have passed down? One of Inky's sisters recently developed dental problems (like their mum) and the other sister very suddenly passed away at 1.5 years old for unknown reasons (same as their aunt except she was 3). I do have other degus from a rescue centre who are 4 years old and they haven't had any health problems so far.
I'm going to try to book a vets appointment but if the cataracts is caused by diabetes is there anything I can do to help manage Inky's sugar levels so his health doesn't deteriorate?