Degu Diabetes

[deguqueen]

I read all the time that Degus are prone to diabetes but I have never heard the symptoms of diabetes that they will show.
Does anybody know what symptoms they will get?
Has anybody had a degu with diabetes?
If they do get diabetes is it treatable with insulin shots like you would give a human?

[racingdegu]

Hi deguqueen. I`ve only read the facts surrounding weight loss and cataracts generally. Whether degus eventually secumb to diabetes anyway, or whether they are just susceptible to it because they are fed the wrong diet, I can`t be sure. Their genetic make-up makes them prone to the condition, that we do know, but I would think diabetes (as in humans) would only cause problems for the facts I gave regarding a degus diet, but I am certainly no expert on degu diabetes!

I would`nt think insulin injections can be given to degus as they are in humans, but again....what do I know? If anyone else knows otherwise, please post!

[Sunshinemeg]

From what I have read, a degu will develop diabetes if fed an unsuitable diet. Should this happen, one of the clearest signs is the development of cataracts. Or in the case of my first degu Gizmo, they will suffer a heartattack and die. Sorry to be so blunt, but I hate to think of the number of people who still continue to feed their degus the wrong food. Not that Im accusing you of that!! Just so that anyone reading the post will understand.

[nat]

I asked vet and he told me that you won't know it if you don't make special tests. And he told also that the weight loss atc ocures at any illness.

[Sunshinemeg]

so are you saying we are wrong about the diabetes in degus then nat?

[nat]

Nope I hadn't got time to read your posts so I just said what vet told me. Nothing less nothing more ...

edit: In Poland you can buy insuline for your degu. I don't know how it's in GB but I thing the same

[Sunshinemeg]

you shouldnt get to the stage of having a diabetic degu if you care for them correctly. That is the point I am trying to get across. A degu usually becomes diabetic as a result of a poor diet, if this occurs, I think its great that in some countries you can then give them insulin, but its not an ideal solution by any means, especially when a carefully controlled diet can avoid this.

please read other posts in a thread before replying, it avoids confusion and repetition.

thanks

[deguqueen]

LOL I dont mean to cause arguments.
I was just curious because I have NO IDEA what the previous owners fed my degus and before I knew any better I was giving them raisins everyday for about a month or two. After I read that they were bad I havent given them one since so I just wanted to know what symptoms occur.
I was also wondering about the insulin because if we can give a human insulin injections when they develope diabetes I was wondering if we could also do the same for Degus.
And BTW what are cataracts?
I have heard of them but have no idea what they look like or even if you can tell when a Degu has them.

[diet otaku]

cataracts are when the lens of the eye becomes cloudy and opaque, eventually causing blindness. you should be able to spot cataracts in animals because the eyes will appear foggy or milky, you won't be able to see the iris/pupil well.

i'm not sure about insulin injections for degus... if it's possible to give degus insulin, i would certainly only trust a vet to administer the injections. but i'm not sure the structure of degu insulin is the same as human insulin.

[nat]

it may be only a bit different. Yes my vet told me that degu has got the special care if it's diabetic. And cataracts is the only thing that may make you 99% sure that your degu is diabetic. But then it's too late

[thatllbe]

not to worry too much though - my eldest 'Thatllbe' at 6 has had cataracts in both eyes for well over two yearsnow and he is still the same furry little friend that he's always been.... ;D

there is hope it's not the end of the world when cataracts show up..

[stoney]

I'm sorry to say from recent experience that diabetes can strike even if you follow the feeding rules. We have just lost one of our two male degus Pippin to it. We feed both boys degu recommended food, plenty of fresh veg, and no sugary treats (it's amazing how many manufactured feeds contain raisins or added sugar. Pippin's eyes began clouding about 2 months ago and then about a fortnight ago began to drink far more than usual both symptoms of the disease. Our vet recommended an even more controlled diet (you can get drugs but it means daily injections and we didn't think at that stage it fair without trying an alternative. Pippin died of a heart attack on Wednesday whilst playing in his wheel, which was a real shock. His brother merry has taken it quite badly becoming very introvert and quiet. We now are desperately looking for a new companion for him as the two of them were very close and the loss of his brother has changed his personality dramatically.

[ra]

Stoney, sometimes too much inbreeding will cause health problems too. Even with proper feeding a poorly bred animal can become ill. I worry about my girls because I really have no idea of their breeding (suspect Tanzania might be results of inbreeding since Mocha her mother came to me pregnant and supposedly male!!!!. ) Most pet shops have NO IDEA what so ever.

I'm sorry for your loss. Sounds as though you were taking very good care of Pippin. Got him to the vets etc. He may not have lived as long as he did if you hadn't been caring for him. I hope you can find a suitable carge mate for Merry.

[diet otaku]

unfortunately diabetes works that way in all animals - proper diet and exercise is simply the best way to avoid developing it. but as with many things, there is no 100% positive guarantee against diabetes. it is entirely possible that pippin was born diabetic, and was simply able to survive as long as he did because of the excellent care he received.

stoney, i strongly recommend posting in the market forum to speed up the process of finding a new friend for merry. if you are in the dallas, tx area i know of someone who has many degus she needs to rehome that all get along well. she is practically giving them away ($5 a pair to cover feed costs) in the hopes of finding homes for them.

[Bosley]

The degu we named Mama has a cataract in one eye - was that way when we found them all. Interestingly enough, she is the biggest of our degus and seems to be the matriarch of the family. We rescued them just about a year ago now and try to be very diligent about their diet, and all seem to be thriving. I wasn't aware until now that the cataract might be a sign of diabetes - so far she doesn't seem to be exhibiting any other symptoms. The only thing I've noticed is that she's not as active as the others, but I chalked that up to probably being more age related - she just strikes me as the senior member of the group. We have no idea of their history prior to rescuing them, but hope for the best and just love 'em up.