Anorexic degu?

[Jus]

So I guess first a bit of background for anyone who doesn't know about my little family. I have three girl goos, two about 5 months old who I introduced successfully just before christmas and one 3 year old, Spook.

Recently Spook has been seeming a bit bedraggled and looking generally a bit low. She has had a slightly gooey eye occasionally since we got her three years ago but we bathe it in saline and it has always gone away within a day or two, but it has been reappearing and lasting longer recently. There isn't anything about her appearance that makes us think shes actually ill, she just looks quite under the weather. The babies tend to groom her regularly and they also groom her eye if it's looking a bit wet.

We have since noticing this also noticed that she is losing weight. She had lost about 15g about a month ago, then we went on holiday and left her with a friend and when we returned she had regained the weight. That was two weeks ago but she's now lost the weight again. Then we realised that when we were on holiday, they didn't have the wheel. When she has the wheel she seems to run constantly, but it seems to be leading to dramatic weight loss. This wouldn't worry me but she is usually about 200-220g, and when she lost the weight she was 180-185g, which I would class as underweight. It seems she is running to the extent where she is causing herself to be underweight. They have a healthy diet and get regular treats. Has anyone come across this before? Is it normal for them to exercise too much unless it is moderated? She seems fine and her behavior and personality are completely normal other than the excessive running and the disheveled appearance.

Another question; we plan to moderate her exercise over the next 10days or so and if she doesn't put the weight back on quickly, take her to a vet just to check that she is okay. Does anyone know of any vets that they would trust with their degus in the North East??

[yasmin]

I don't have experience with this but it doesn't seem to me that moderating Spook's exercise is the issue. Exercise is good for them – even too much of it (if there can be such a thing in Deguland — my opinion only). If she looks bedraggled, I would take her to a vet and have the vet look at her teeth at minimum. Often weight loss is due to malocclusion or other teeth problems. It looks like they are eating but they actually aren't eating enough because it hurts to eat especially if there's a problem with the back molars. Also, the gooey eye is a concern because it is recurring.

I hope you can locate an experienced vet in your location. If you go to the "New Topics" heading, I think you'll find a "Vets" thread by moletteuk that might be helpful. Otherwise, I'm sure that another forum member (I live in Canada) can make a recommendation.

[moletteuk]

Occasionally we have had reports of over-exercising, but this has usually been linked with being in heat and only lasts 2 or 3 days or so a month, but some degus do like to exercise much more than others.

I think the weight loss combined with the sticky eye makes me suspect teeth trouble, so I would say she needs a proper mouth exam. Depending on the vet she might need a quick, light gas anaesthetic so the vet can get a thorough look.

I've messaged a contact of mine near Newcastle to see if she can come up with a suitable vet a bit nearer than Durham for you

[moletteuk]

I've replied with some details of a vet in the 'Vets' thread you posted in