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Post by deguconvert on Aug 31, 2016 0:05:37 GMT
Not a problem . . . I was the same way when I joined! I don't know how many times I posted quotes with either no reply, multiple quote posts, and finally my reply in a separate post, so I recognised what you were struggling with. LOL! Now I'm this "globalmod" and I still don't know a whole lot about computers. Thankfully there are PHENOMENAL people here (Molettuek) that DO know and totally rock!!!
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Post by bouncy on Aug 31, 2016 22:40:38 GMT
Absolutely LOVING the wheel! It's even got extra traction! Your aerial short makes it look like you caught them unawares too, guilty goos I know you call them the odd couple, but those last two photos almost make them look like Jekyll (Oz) and Hyde (Mac) lol!
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Post by moletteuk on Sept 1, 2016 18:40:12 GMT
The wheel is amazing, is that stainless steel chequerplate? And is the base welded to the sides (running surface)?? Looks like it will last forever!
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Post by vchan000 on Sept 1, 2016 19:08:38 GMT
The wheel is amazing, is that stainless steel chequerplate? And is the base welded to the sides (running surface)?? Looks like it will last forever! LOL. Asked Ping for the specs; 1/8" Aluminum checker plate, tig welded to 12.5" diameter, 6" running surface. We got tired of buying them new wheels. We'd gone through 3 plastic ones by that point. Frustration led to a wee bit of over engineering
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Post by vchan000 on Sept 1, 2016 21:33:25 GMT
Here's the back of the wheel and the lazy kludge of a mounting bracket
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Post by deguconvert on Sept 1, 2016 23:09:48 GMT
It is truly an awe inspiring wheel!! I think we are all in deep envy, LOL!!
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Post by yasmin on Sept 3, 2016 3:37:38 GMT
Cool
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Post by vchan000 on Feb 6, 2019 21:01:24 GMT
Its been a few years, but I thought I'd post a quick update;
Oz and Mac are doing well. Last year there was a two month hiatus where the little brats fought to the point we had to make a vet visit and separate them out, but we managed to successfully reintroduce them. Turns out Oz is in charge only because Mac can't be bothered. Once Mac got angry enough, he proceeded to kick Oz's can all over the cage. They got a second level to their critter nation out of it, so I'm wondering if they conspired to get more space.
The wheel is still in there. We replaced the bearing assembly at the back and used a piece of plywood to bolt it to the cage, and now it's smooth, silent and even more over-engineered. Also ended up making several similar wheels for a local small animal rescue for gerbils and hamsters with cake pans and fidget spinners which was kind of fun.
We have a third goo. A lone six year old male came into that above rescue, and we're in the early stages of introductions, in that he has a cage next to the boys so they can see, smell and talk to one another. Turns out our boys are small. He's almost half again their size so this should be interesting. Next cage cleaning, they're losing some real estate as we're moving him into the bottom half of the critter nation to start stage 2 of the introductions.
Welcome to the family Bandit.
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Post by bouncy on Feb 6, 2019 21:45:49 GMT
Wow! Things have moved on!
You better watch out, or they'll be campaigning for a third tier to the critter nation!
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Post by deguconvert on Feb 6, 2019 22:25:59 GMT
Welcome to the family, Bandit!!
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Post by moletteuk on Feb 7, 2019 11:16:18 GMT
Lovely to hear from you. I hope everything goes well with Bandit
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Post by vchan000 on Feb 14, 2019 17:33:07 GMT
Introductions are going slowly, but I'm still feeling optimistic.
Bandit is a stately old man, lol. Nothing seems to leave him too flustered, although he's not thrilled with pats or scritches from Ping or I. On the other hand, he's better about taking treats from our hand than either of our two boys ever were. (Bandit is gentle, almost hesitant, while our two little poo-flickers snatch them with authority)
There's a barred window between the top and the bottom of the cage (to separate them we just rotated the pan 180 degrees and put their dig box on the corner that has the access if that helps you to visualize) and Bandit spends most of his time hanging out in the hammock directly underneath it. Oz, spends most of his time losing his ever loving mind directly above him looking for a way through.
In the last few days it's started to calm down and they're talking to one another instead of Oz just screaming at him, but it's a slow transition. Oz also wont let Mac anywhere near the window, lol. I can't decide if he's protecting Mac from the big bad neighbour in their basement or taking his frustrations out on him, but every time Mac gets close, Oz flat out drives him off with a screaming fight JUST shy of a full on furball. There's been no blood, but he's not taking no for an answer. We're keeping an eye on it to see if that calms down further once Oz gets over his whole snit about the thing.
Next week we're slowly going to start swapping some of the bedding around, but we don't want to do it too soon, especially given the squabbles upstairs.
Looking forward to face to face introductions in the tub, but we've got a bit to go before we get there. Should be fun!
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Post by deguconvert on Feb 14, 2019 18:07:49 GMT
I think you are taking the perfect pace, and all considering, that things are going well. Well done!! You're plans sound really good!
How are you surviving the "cold spell" over there in "Winterpeg?" You've had it colder than we have, here in Alberta. In fact, you probably are looking at our temperatures and thinking, "Lucky sods!"
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Post by bouncy on Feb 14, 2019 18:11:00 GMT
Sounds like fun and games!
I know you're using the facilities you have, but I wonder if him being in the basement is making him seem more lowly to them?
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Post by vchan000 on Feb 14, 2019 19:28:39 GMT
Deguconvert,
Not too bad over here, at least right now. The cold snap last week sucked, but we're a special breed of masochists here when it comes to the weather lol. Sure, we spend a lot of our time whining about the cold, but it's that smug "we survived it!" whining.
Bouncy,
it's possible, and on cage cleaning day we're going to swap them out in the boys are getting they basement and Bandit gets the penthouse. It started with Bandit in the basement simply because we couldn't trust Oz not to go for toes or tail if he could reach them right off the bat. The current plan is for Oz to exhaust himself on the angry before moving on. We're keeping an eye on his weight, giving him lots of love (which he hates, but tolerates if it comes with food), and occasionally blocking the access entirely if we think he's ramping up too far. Sure it's a bit stressful for them, but I can't think of an introduction method that doesn't involve some stress, especially since Oz is such a diva.
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Post by deguconvert on Feb 15, 2019 5:29:33 GMT
LOL!! I love it!! Had to spend three weeks bridging from January to February in Winnipeg several years ago, and I tell you . . . made my appreciation for home go UP several notches!! The ice on your roads alone was way more than I usually deal with. The cold . . . OUCH!! So you deserve to have your smug "we survived it" opportunities!
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Post by bouncy on Feb 15, 2019 10:55:33 GMT
Ah, Winnipeg........
We spent 35 years in a house in Bath, on the highest and (what would have been) isolated and cold points of the city in winter. In fact, my dad used to get his touring skis out to go to work when it snowed. The point? It was built by Canadians in 1850, and was called............Winnipeg!
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Post by vchan000 on Aug 31, 2020 20:12:51 GMT
Well, things have changed a lot since last year. First the losses;
Bandit passed in the fall of 2019, after a 2-3 month battle with tumors. We spoke to the vet and because of his age we chose not to have him in for surgery as it was unlikely he'd survive the anesthetic in his condition at the time. We loaded him up on painkillers for his remaining time, and showered him with affection and nuts. We had never successfully managed to integrate him with the other two, so while he died a lone goo, he at least had conversation partners.
Ozzy passed this spring. In his case he Yoda'd out of existence, fine one day, sick the next and gone the third. As hard as it was we're kind of glad it was quick. Unfortunately that left Mac as a lone goo.
We spent a few months looking for a goo in the same age bracket as we were hoping to avoid the infinite degu train, but were having no luck. In the meantime we fostered three "girls" in the cage next to his so he at least had conversation. (See post Baby Watch in Degu Pregnancy folder) Turns out one of the girls wasn't so we promptly foster failed and adopted him (so much for avoiding the infinite degu chain, the boy's only a few months old) and had the smoothest introduction I've ever heard of (he and Mac went from face to face to cohabiting in about 3 days)
While we're on baby watch with the lady goos we're looking at a few options. If there's babies, we'll likely co-opt another couple boys to give Enzo like aged goos for when Mac passes. If the ladies are NOT pregnant, we will get Enzo neutered, and adopt the ladies before returning him to mom and sis (again, once Mac passes)
Mac recently had his first dental appointment and while it went ok, the anesthetic was a difficult struggle for him, so we're hoping he's good for now, as we're not sure how many times we'll win the dice roll on putting him under for his teeth to be worked on.
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Post by deguconvert on Aug 31, 2020 20:28:14 GMT
Diet can be a big part of dental issues. Having enough forage that is high in tough fiber is part of that, so lots of leaves, bark, twigs, stems, etc.. Having sufficient Vit. D is also part of the battle. Pellet foods often have Vit. D added into the mix, but if you lean to the more natural dried forage foods, then Vit. D can only be obtained through adding it yourself (using baby Vit. D drops, as in human baby), or the use of full spectrum lighting in the cage.
I feel like we have probably talked about this before, but would you be willing to remind me what you use for feed?
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Post by vchan000 on Aug 31, 2020 20:36:40 GMT
Diet can be a big part of dental issues. Having enough forage that is high in tough fiber is part of that, so lots of leaves, bark, twigs, stems, etc.. Having sufficient Vit. D is also part of the battle. Pellet foods often have Vit. D added into the mix, but if you lean to the more natural dried forage foods, then Vit. D can only be obtained through adding it yourself (using baby Vit. D drops, as in human baby), or the use of full spectrum lighting in the cage. I feel like we have probably talked about this before, but would you be willing to remind me what you use for feed? Versele-laga pellets "Degu Nature"', Hansemann's SAB Degu Plant Mix, & Degu Seed mix, and timothy hay. They have a sun lamp for 8-10 hours a day five days out of seven.
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