newbie from Somerset

[debjam]

Hi, have just found this site whilst looking for information on how and when to introduce new degus to each other.

I had two girls, rescued from RSPCA last year, believed to be 2 years old. Lost Big Girl Thursday night, she had had a respiratory infection and that had put her of her food. Not realising the consequence of this with their teeth growth she had stopped eating and went down hill very fast.

So now have Little Girl who is feeling very sorry for herself and lost without her big sister to cuddle up to and me feeling awful for not recognising the problem sooner and stopping any suffering. Not the best learning curve.

Sorry didn't mean to ramble on, just feeling hopeless. Any way here I am and hoping to now use this place for some more information and help. Am in process of cleaning their cage out now, whilst Little Girl has some R&R in their play pen.

[deguconvert]

Hi Debjam, and welcome to the forum.

I am so SO sorry for your loss and the grief it is causing you and Little Girl now. That learning curve is certainly a painful one. Teeth, RI's are two aspects of degu life that can cause great difficulties and require prompt attention when they begin to be problematic. The great difficulty lies in knowing that there is difficulty. Degus disguise their pain very effectively, so as to not become a target for any predators. This however makes it hard on owners to know when something is wrong, and it is not uncommon that illnesses or teeth that are over grown or in trouble are missed until circumstances become more threatening. I am so sorry for your feelings of hopelessness. Don't blame yourself, OK?

Have you read through the Fighting Issues and Introductions Board yet? There are some very helpful insights, conversations, and guides in there. And please ask all your questions, don't be afraid to express how you're feeling. We can completely identify and are glad to lend a helping hand.

[debjam]

Thanks Deguconvert for your words.

We are now on day three and have just had snuggles together. She spent some time last night calling for Big Girl when she settled down for the night, it was heartbreaking.

Me and Hubby have been looking at building a cage so we can get a couple of new babies to introduce to her, so spent a lot of time on here yesterday reading different threads got some really good info. So she wont be alone for long, just give her a little time to adjust.

[animalmadchloe]

Awe I hate it when they call out to another goo and there's no one to answer. One of mine is currently seperate from the others and he calls out for his brothers and it heartbreaking espically when he does it wile sleeping

[ntg]

Hi debjam, welcome to the forum!

I'm so sorry to hear about Big Girl, don't blame yourself for not realising though, as DC says they barely let you see if anything's wrong until it's either too late or critical

Have you had a look at the Cage, Housing and Accessories board for ideas and to find a good size for the Cage when you get your new degus and Little Girl introduced?

[moletteuk]

Hi Debjam, welcome I'm sorry to hear about Big Girl.

Little Girl might appreciate a heat pad of some sort at the moment while it is cold and she is on her own, they tend to find them very comforting.