Very sick Degu

[worried]

Help please.

I have 2 degu's (Fred and Barney) and they are about 5 years old now. Fred has recently lost a lot of weight, but other than that was acting just the same as always - still eating, drinking, running about etc. On the vet's advice, he said to take him home until he shows signs of ill health.

He has now become quite slow around the cage, not drinking all that much and has lost yet more weight. We have decided that it is best to take him back to the vet and get him put down as he has taken a turn for the worst. Such a horrible decision but its best for him.

I am very upset about this but have the added concern about Barney being unhappy on his own. I would like to re-home him with other degu's but don't know what to do for the best.

Any help would be appreciated.

Worried.

[Aimeelou]

Hi Worried
sorry he wasnt well, i can simpathise with you, loosing a pet is a horrible time.
It may be the case that Barney may be to old to rehome, the stress of being moved along with him loosing his cage mate might be too much for him
Maybe finding him an older Degu freind might be ok, but still the change still may srtess him out.

My advise is to maybe take on another two Degus. That way he wont be alone, (sorry if this sounds a little heartless) and if the worst does happen, you wont be left with another lonley Degu.

I know of alot of people have Degus all of different ages, so no one is left alone if one passes on, but where do you draw the line? Keep taking on more Degus as they get older to keep the others happy?

I hope ive helped i little in your decision, and sorry again for your loss
Aimee

[Aimeelou]

Hi Worried
I see you have put Barny on the Degu market page, sorry you have had to make such a heart renching decicion, but i hope it all works out for the best.

[nat]

Worried is there any chanse of helping him? My degu had some accident (we don't know what happened, cause we weren't at home) and vet gived her some medicines. She didn't want to move or eat. Then she had tooth problems and vet had to cut her back tooth under narcoze. TRY

Now my one degu died and I also don't know what to do with other one. He's 2 years old. I don't know if buy him new partner or no ...

[ra]

Oh dear! I would agree with Amieelou, see if you could get a pair of Degus to keep him company but not cage together. I would worry he could not adapt to a new or pair of new cage mates. However, he should be happier with other Degus in the same room he can talk with.

If you have the time to spend with your single Degus, he may learn to adapt to being a single Degus. It would take a lot of effort on your part so he doesn't feel abandoned and alone. Could you take him to work with you?