How to help cagemate?

[pippita]

Hello, I just joined these boards because I have a very important question I'm having a hard time finding a good answer to.

Following an unknown illness of about 2 weeks (in which we actually saw improvement in her condition), my 8 year old female degu, Mika just passed away tonight.

My question is: How do I help her sister cope with the loss? I'm having a hard time coping myself, I've had her since she was 8 weeks old.

Her sister, Pippita, is also 8 years old, but in excellent health.

So far, I put Mika's body in with Pippita, and watched her with it for a time. I guess I want Pippita to understand why her sister is no longer going to be with her. But what do I do now? I've heard of degus pining away when their cagemate passes away, and I don't want that. I want to try and reduce the stress for Pippita as much as I can.

I will definitely get her a friend if anyone thinks that would help. My only concern with getting her a companion is that they might fight, but advice on how to avoid that would be appreciated, if that's what I should do.

Please help me comfort my now lonely degu.

[smux]

I am fairly confident that the advice I give would be useful to you, as I am in a very similar situation although at the next stage to you...lone male aged a little over 4 whom I am going to be introducing some baby boys to. I changed nothing of the cage internally, kept it exactly as it was, although this didn't make much difference to the surviving degu as they were separated until only a few days before his brother died and his brother had the better cage...but it did mean he had his brother's scent everywhere to remind him. I am now coming close to the renewal stage where I thoroughly clean the cage to remove all trace of scent from it to allow his brother to move on with his life. Luckily I have a female who has given birth recently so her babies will be going in with him over Christmas, and I have already given him time with them and they love each other and it's just sad that they can't stay together yet as the babies aren't past weaning but when they are (in your case too) the introduction process of a baby to an adult is fairly simple if the baby is young enough...only a seriously twisted degu will attack a baby, their instinct is to look after them. One thing I am not sure about, although others will comment, is whether introducing babies (you should get more than one for when the eventual passing of Pippita happens, that way you have 2 left who are already bonded to each other) to what can only be described as a OAP in degu terms...should she be introduced to an older degu, perhaps?

As for helping her cope, you've both been through a lifetime with her, take her out and chat with her...obviously she can't talk back or possibly even understand you, but the tone of your voice will get through to her the emotions and feelings you're feeling and she'll feel the same. Give her lots of attention over the coming weeks so she never feels alone and let her pig out a little and have some fun, but definitely give her a suitable mourning period before introducing a replacement for Mika...no degu can ever replace a lost cagemate, so some time alone before the introduction is a good idea so they don't get too confused.

You are possibly going to see Pippita doing some strange things, like chittering on her own and running around the cage looking for Mika, or staring out into space, let these things happen as it's all part of the healing process and once she realises Mika is no longer there she'll soon start to calm down a little and move into the beginnings of her life alone...this is the point when you would introduce a new degu or degus, as this is where the pining away and depression is most likely to occur (although you don't have to rush into anything, you should have plenty of time although it is probably best to get it over and done with so she can get back to normal).

I guess the question you need to ask yourself is what will you do once Pippita passes away, will you want to keep any companions and will you want to continue looking after degus? If the answer is no, perhaps keeping Pippita on her own is the best option considering her age and the fact she may not have that many years ahead of her anyway. If she has companions she stands a greater chance of surviving longer, but you'll be left with degus to care for afterwards and you will have bonded with them by then. It sounds cruel to keep her alone, but she is in her twilight years almost and perhaps she would prefer to be alone, I guess no-one really knows for sure. I'm also wondering if new younger cagemates might be bad for her considering her age...babies probably will be.

If you're anywhere near London, I might have a female either in the current (second) brood of babies (although I don't think there are, I think they're all boys) or one of the elder babies (don't ask) is probably pregnant (again, don't ask) so when and if she has the babies you're welcome to have any girls among them. There is possibly also a last-ditch attempt as the non-pregnant female of the first brood (4 months old now) is probably right for her too, although I don't know how easily she will be introduced as she's past the baby stage now and is a little toddler in comparison (able to fend for herself so not treated with any special care by stranger degus) and once her sister has had the babies and weaned them you'd be welcome to have her sister as well so you'd have two degus...although I would be sad to see either or both of them go as although they're as yet un-named they have grown on me since they were born and they've been company for Theresa (hopefully the babies will be company).

[nickymills30]

i,m so sorry to hear you have lost your little girl. 8 is a fab age though xxxxx

[Whizz]

Very sorry with your loss and I hope that Pippita will be able to move on.

Maybe you should think about getting a couple of Goos to keep her company, like Smux said - Babies would be a better option as they'll look at Pippita as a Mother figure who will teach them. But whether Pippita would like being a foster mum is unknown, she may want to be on her own for a long time. I'd give plenty of attention and make sure she knows you love her and if you feel that she needs some Gooey love then think about getting her some company.