Greatest Mom in the World

[smlmamlgirl]

Since I first began visiting this site I have regaled with stories of oodles of degus (12) six of them babies (!!!) and one very sick Mom. Well, Mom (we actually named her that) and I had a chat after a point- multiple medication doses and nasty bites later, the infection that has plagued her, coming and going randomly- I told her I had absolutely NO interest in looking after six newborns, that one six and a half years ago had been enough, and that she was just going to have to shape up. And to our immense surprise...she did.

The babies are weaned, and generally a pain in the butt whenever we open the cage door for any reason as they all scream "gangway!" and charge. And as of tonight Mom's infection has recurred. We are very proud (and thankful) that she has been as tenacious as she has been the last few weeks, and she HAS improved- lost weight, both water and fat mass on our careful diet (which made her very grouchy!!!) of tons of greens- 'free' foods by a diabetic's measure- and low in carbs. I can't predict her future, but we are beginning to suspect that she was a breed horse for the pet store we bought her from, and that she and the others were essentially abused in their malnutrition. We have made the difficult decision to let nature take its course. She did her job well, much better than we could have hoped for, and the medication I make, though it works well, she despises it. Having worked in both a vet's and a pet store my opinion is that she should have died weeks ago and now that she is free of obligation it is time to let her go.

I wish that pet stores would educate themselves on the animals they sell. In our country at least (Canada) most pet stores consider the animals no more than 'product', and the animals have to recuperate once the owner gets them home. As an employee at a pet store I would have to feed the animals one way, and advise the owners of different diets. (thus I am no longer an employee there- by choice) Please do not misunderstand me- business is business and spending a fortune on foods for animals you plan to sell just isn't feasable or sensible...but neither is it ethical to deny them their minimum requirements (how hard is it to pick grass and dandelion leaves and clover for degus, rabbits and guinea pigs? and wouldn't they be free?)

When we purchased Mom, Dad and the babies the shopkeeper actually reached in to pull Mom out by the tail. We all (including my 6-year-old daughter shouted "no!". The store owner had no idea degus dropped their tails. Sigh- ignorance is not bliss.

So Mom did a good job. She looked after her babies until well after they didn't rely on her anymore. And we are very proud of her. But it likely won't be long now.

[Aimeelou]

She is one hell of a Degu!
It realy does pain me to think that poor little girl has just been used as a baby making machine. At least now she can retire.It just shows how pet shops know nothing about the pets they keep, like as you say about them picking her up by the tail.
I can understand your feelings too let her live her life out now, the poor girls been through alot, bringing up a brood and fighting the infections, its a wonder she hasnt given up fighting before. She is probibly wanting her life not to keep being prolonged. like you say, just let her time with you now be comfortable, and just to go when shes ready.
Im gonna stop now, the cryings going to stop my keyboard working
Im realy thinking of you
Aimee

[xdegudivax]

Aww..That's really sad to hear about how she lived...Before you took her in..I'm glad that she is doing better..I hope that she does live her life out better..Happy retirement mom!

[Sunshinemeg]

It never fails to surprise me the number of pet stores across the world,where the owners are so utterly un-educated. But I am continually surprised at the number of wonderful people out in the world who are willing to devote love and care to these poor neglected animals.

you have done so much for your degu mum, without you it is clear that she would have died long ago, and so would the large family she has managed to raise. If she does now sadly die, you can be proud when you look at those babies that she raised, and couldnt have done without you!

meg ;D

[Anna]

I completely agree.. I think if your going to work in a pet shop or own one you should have some idea of other than the 'basic' pets.

[xdegudivax]

Yea..Expecially exotic animals like Degu's..I would report that pet store..

[Anna]

you know what I should start doing that because I'm really sick of stores like petco and petsmart thinking they know every thing there is about animals but when it really comes down to it they don't know anything. I called almost every pet shop in the phone book here in st.louis missouri looking for my baby degu and some of them didn't know what they were. Most of my friends didn't even know they existed. You can't really blame them because they're usually people just wanting a pay check. Half the time the workers are in their late teens to early 20's.

Eh, What am I saying.. I'm 17 I figured out how to take care of a degu within a few weeks of reading the right things. I donno. It's not like we don't have a zoo! I do know that when I was looking for a new iguana that they do have a herpetology association for not only reptiles but for all exotic pets. The petco I used to buy food from doesn't even sell a good selection anymore. There was this pet shop that had all kinds of weird animals but it got shut down because they weren't making enough money.

Those are normally the only god pet shops around but we have these crappy places like petco. where would I go to report these pleaces? I'm not sure you can really do much about that..

[diet otaku]

i'd really only be concerned if a pet store was grossly ignorant about a pet it was selling. the store i bought my degus from, while unaware that degus are prone to diabetes and will chew through plastic, were otherwise quite knowledgable - certainly more than i was at the time. they knew to keep them in pairs, not to pick them up by the tail, to give them a dust bath, etc. all stuff i was completely ignorant of. now, a store that goes to pick a degu up by the tail... that's cause for concern.

[erika]

Ya, the second Petcetera we went to looking for a Degu, had a guy working there that tried to pick up the Degu from over his bak...and kinda pinching the back neck/spinal area. Of course it tried to bite him as it ran away very unlike the other one (which i eventually too home - Dali) at the other store. I started waving my hands and yelling "No, no, leave him alone!". The first store had very knowledgable staff, one guy even had a few at home and you could tell he respected them. the other store in the outskirts had just stuck this guy in the small animal area and he clearly had no idea and no respect . I have no idea how one company can hire someone like that...and at least not train them properly! The other store (same company) was drastically different. I too am going to start reporting these things!

Poor mama. Mom is a winner! A tough little thouroughbred who is lucky to have landed where she did finally, with you!

Erika

[xdegudivax]

Well..You could report them..I don't know what they're called..but they are like the animal police..

[smlmamlgirl]

I worked for Petcemetary- oops, Petcetera- doing damage control, trying to stop the massive numbers of animals dying that they have evry month. I quit because they wouldn't let me do my job. My experience in terms of their hiring is that they go for young girls (here at least) that go "ooooh, cuuuuute. Look at the Bunneeeeeee." And that's the extent of their know how. If you need to report a pet store, go to the humane society or SPCA.

I've heard Petsmart is a good place though, though we don't have any on Vancouver Island.

[xdegudivax]

Petsmart and petco around me are pretty good..

[deguqueen]

hey smlmamlgrl how is the mommy doing?