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Post by zenaida on Jul 16, 2017 21:21:21 GMT
Texture too! I'm not sure how chins are relative to degus with chewing and such, but it is common to for blind people to use texture. I think I recall from grad school that they make special tapes for blind people that they can put on stuff like food cans so they open a can of beans and not a can of corn. For a chin, maybe you could "rough up" the edges of the wooden platforms.
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Post by randomname on Jul 16, 2017 21:43:12 GMT
another fab idea zenaida. I knew you guys would come up with some brilliant ideas. Love you all, you're all so creative & clever. i could squishy hug you all
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Post by zenaida on Jul 16, 2017 22:27:47 GMT
I was just thinking more about winic wrote about what they can see and can't see. You might be able to run a vision trial or two to see if she at least has light sensitivity or contrast (two of the last things to go in humans usually).
Light sensitivity should be easy enough, a bright flashlight (you guys call them torches right?) and just shine it directly in her face. If she reacts you know she has at least some sensitivity to bright lights.
The contrast one is harder... I would imagine if she doesn't have the light sensitivity, she won't have contrast. But usually in humans we test this with cardboard that has black and white stripes on it. If she had contrast, you might see if you can find a way to make the floors white and the walls black (or vice versa).
In theory if their visible spectrum is different than ours you could play with shining a UV light or an infrared light in her face...
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Post by randomname on Jul 16, 2017 22:48:42 GMT
as long as i can put on a bad german accent and say "You vill talk!" whilst i'm doing it....
Seriously, I'm hoping the exotics expert will do all this, am going to give her a ring tomorrow, see if she can do a comprehensive report on Misty/Emily!'s health but especially her eyesight. I want to know exactly how impaired she is & if she has any dental needs as soon as I get her.
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Post by winic1 on Jul 17, 2017 0:17:04 GMT
Maybe instead of bells, something like a bunch of little wooden beads or plates (squares) that will clack or clatter, enough for her to hear, but soft enough that it won't disturb you, like bells would.
The first week or two will go fine, since you are so experienced with all sorts of animals. You will talk softly to her as you approach the cage or move within the room, you will talk like that when you bring her her food and open the cage doors, she will quickly realize that you are her new best friend and bringer of all things good and tasty, and you will just take your cues from her behavior on when you can change things for her, and all will be well. you've done this before in so many different ways. You got this.
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Post by randomname on Jul 17, 2017 12:12:14 GMT
I guess the difference is that with Emily!/Misty I already know she has additional needs. Most of the time they don't tell me & I find out 3 months in by way of a massive vet's bill. If I look at it like that, I'm already winning I hope I got it, I really do
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Post by Deleted on Jul 19, 2017 10:26:57 GMT
I hope you guys haven't got the wrong impression of the lovely lady. She tries really hard. She's not much older than me and has a very demanding job, other animals to care for. She drives her dog to physiotherapy 40 minutes each way on a regular basis. She's rehoming to improve her animals lives and to not hoard like a lot of people do and be selfish. She's seen they could have more free time so she's been expertly picking out the best of the best homes. I'm sure randomname will agree with me. She's done a wonderful thing by her animals. She's getting her degus an Aventura, woo! Super cheap too HOW JAMMY lol. She's joined here so I hope she posts soon with degu photos and makes herself a very welcomed member of the forum. She's very worried about rehoming, which is refreshing as many people dump their animals on the first person they see. I hope you amazing guys can help reassure her and help her through this hard time 💕💗
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Post by randomname on Jul 19, 2017 10:46:34 GMT
Yay! She joined? Can we stop calling her lovely lady then? (although she is, that's not her name!) Of course we all know she's tried hard - Misty wouldn't be alive if she hadn't got her out of her first home! She literally saved her life. Am sure the vets bills & hours of care, not to mention better cage, toys & food all contributed to her recovery. The emotional investment can't be measured, but we all know they leave a huge hole in your life & heart when they leave. Re-homing is no different. I know it's the worst feeling in the world. I totally feel for her, but I think she's really brave too. I told her in an email that I think it's the most unselfish, altruistic thing a person can do (re homing) & that I totally understand the fear of making sure they go to a good home. I like to offer a vet's reference & a home check to put minds at rest. I can email updates & dark, blurry photos Happy to keep her updated if that helps Did you say super cheap Aventura? WHERE?! lol
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Post by Deleted on Jul 19, 2017 10:49:22 GMT
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Post by randomname on Jul 23, 2017 11:31:52 GMT
@gizmosisi do you have any expedience of blind chins? Is there anything you can add that might help us help Misty to have a long, happy life?
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Post by Deleted on Jul 23, 2017 12:49:25 GMT
@gizmosisi does have a blind chin yes. I'll message her x
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Post by randomname on Jul 23, 2017 13:04:31 GMT
@gizmosisi does have a blind chin yes. I'll message her x AWESOME!!! (not that the chin is blind, that someone can give me some advice!)
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Post by Deleted on Jul 23, 2017 13:26:15 GMT
Ohh winky she came in as a rescue in a shocking state... anyhow. She had an eye infection on top of the cataracts in one eye that was left MONTHS. so the eye is sunken into the skull. i quote "that one hasn't opened it's eye in a month, but she is blind anyway". it was agreed by the vet it has been longer... so she lives with me permanently now for ongoing care. she is at a guess just a year old based on the original owners sketchy information. Anyhow, main thing is keep things consistent and the same, she uses her whiskers a lot to feel where she is going, with time she knows the cage. I avoid falling distances any more than 10 inches, so should she miss judge, there's something to break her fall. lots of ledges close together so she can always feel where she is headed next. She has some vision at the side of one eye it seems, but this is so limited it is useless. She uses scent-but since housing her with another of my (overly friendly and helpful) females, she has come on leaps and bounds, some do get aggressive being blind due to the fear. Winky is VERY skittish... the slightest noise and she is turning her head unsure what to do! or simply diving at me thinking i am the wall of the cage, its very clear when i open the cage she can easily know where everything is! The other female is a very motherly figure oddly for a pet only chin, and shows her where things are-going back and forward until winky also joins her in the new area of new food ect. Consistency is the key. I put toys back in the same place, or try and challenge her and add a new one elsewhere to see if she can find it and use her other senses. there is very little you can do to help beyond consistency
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Post by Deleted on Jul 23, 2017 13:34:20 GMT
Also, sorry i haven't read the whole thread! (oops) if your boys are well bonded it is unlikely they will go all... hormone rage! over a female housed elsewhere. if she was in with them it would be another story, but not in another cage in the room. Chins that live alone are naturally quieter, move less, sleep more, so that's also normal. She will adjust to new noises and sounds, ive taken to shaking the food box when i am going to open the door to let her know I'm there not not shock her out the blue! She also enjoys chatting through the bars to the others in the rescue room, but if let out to play is in so much fear it is not worth it for her. She is in a 3 foot, by 2 foot, by 2 foot cage with my other lady. I debated opening up the bottom half of the liberta, but I believe she would struggle as she runs her weight off (by being skitish!) and eventually run into issues over navigating back to food ect.
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Post by randomname on Jul 23, 2017 14:30:24 GMT
thanks @gizmosisi Poor Winky (awesome name btw) makes me so angry when people let things get that bad. Don't understand why people won't pay around £50 for the eyedrops/vet's appointment when it first starts, but wait 'til it's a major op that costs hundreds. Not to mention inflicting that amount of pain on another living being. I really feel if you do that, it's your fault. How do they sleep at night? *sigh* sorry, ranty head on again. So young as well, it's just barbaric. I'm glad she's with you, sounds like she's fallen on her feet so to speak. It's fab she has a friend, I wish Misty could too, but I don't think it's going to work for her. Misty went blind young too, she had a tiny cage & was only fed fruit Ruthy1994 rescued her & improved her cage & diet - saved her life. Really glad to hear my boys won't fight (probably) They are very closely bonded, never a cross word, super soppy with each other & me. They're magic, don't want to upset them in any way. Ruthy has said Misty has come out of her shell somewhat since emily! adopted Alfie a few days ago, so maybe Misty would be happier away from my boys. I'll have to let her guide me as to how close she wants to be to them. Just some general questions (if you don't mind) 1) How do you know what she can/can't see? How can I find out with Misty? Will it become obvious as I get to know her? 2) is her age (11) super elderly? - what signs do I need to watch for? (sadly I know about dental stuff, but what else, esp. behaviour?) 3) Can I introduce things like new wheels (she has one & likes it) or sand bath or something without upsetting her? Should I present her with things first rather than just putting in the cage first? 4) She enjoys play time at the moment. How do I continue this is a new environment without her freaking out? 5) Are there any supplements or tips for old chins you'd recommend? Am used to young lads, not mature ladies. 6) Will I see any difference between her & the boys? Haven't had girls before.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 23, 2017 15:04:46 GMT
I took in 4 in that case, they were covered in urine! skinny... a mom and dad, one daughter (who was heavily pregnant yet didnt even want to hold her head up) and winky-the other daughter. it was crazy! My vets cost 20£, then treatment. so only 30£ usually for a visit! unfortunately cataracts can be genetic so keeping a close eye on the 4 babies, but new homes lined up who are aware. Usually by 6 weeks the signs start to show. so far all clear at 10 weeks! I hope they don't! it is unlikely if that bonded . I have kept boys together within my breeding unit with no issues! With winky she has clear bits round the one edge of the eye, and tilts her head so she can see this. With cataracts anything that isnt glazed over and white, is usually a field of vision of some sort. It's a very primitive test of flicking your fingers towards the eye at different angles and seeing what reaction you get. very basic I know! the other eye is useless with ongoing issues and drops, not at the stage to remove it yet, just managing it daily to ensure she opens and no further infections. age... i've seen many 20+ age chinnies, but 12-20 is more common. watch out for decrease in weight and signs of arthritis, (kinda of weird how they show it, but slow pained movements) Personally put it straight in, she will get use to it! they soon know the sound of the bath and will wait for it to be presented! Start with a small play area, with a simple hide, a box or similar so she can hide if feeling threatened, offering a way back into the cage (wooden ladder) can be handy also so she can slowly find her way in and out. they have a great memory to where things are and will in time remember this! Check out gallens gardens, maybe even message them. They may be able to point towards various herbs that could help with old age! Personally I would keep it simple and things like rose hips, make sure she has enough calcium (alfalfa occasionally, check the colour of her teeth) Girls and boys are real similar, it's all down to their personality more than the gender. When annoyed girls can spray, but find that isn't so common (besides my wonderful sisi who is a moody so and so!)
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Post by randomname on Jul 24, 2017 10:55:16 GMT
Ruthy said she had done the finger test with Misty - literally nothing Ruthy says she can't even see a treat right in front of her until she smells it. Great tips for the play area, I'm going to dig out the adjustable play pen tonight. Hopefully she'll be running round the entire room in no time. Ruthy says she does occasionally bump into things but is really happy to be out & manages ok. I'll get in touch with Galen's Garden, they've been really helpful with degu questions in the past. I do feed dried forage, so am sure we can work something out. That's a great idea, thanks. Good to know spraying is rare, wasn't sure. Read about it, but never knew if they do it a lot. I'm beginning to feel a little less scared I just want to make sure that Misty is coming here for a good reason, that we can do the right thing by her. I've nursed some sick animals for years, had super elderly animals to take care of, managed health conditions like renal failure, tmj issues, arthritis etc over many years. We had a degu blind from cataracts years ago & a lot of our intake live much longer than the expected life span. Our first chin was plagued with dental issues so I have a bit of experience with sick chins (I remember medications being a nightmare to administer) I know I can care for Misty but I feel immense pressure to get it exactly right. I don't know why I feel so worried, but I feel like I need to think of everything, have a plan, imagine all the scenarios. I feel like if I let her down it'd be the worst thing in the world. I think it might be my anxiety condition more than it is reality though? Hopefully once she gets here I'll realise she's not made of glass & I'll be fine. I felt like this about the long haired guinea pigs - I really worried I wouldn't be able to take care of all that hair, but soon as I'd given them a bath & a haircut I felt fine about it.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 24, 2017 13:21:35 GMT
You'll be fiiiiine ❤❤❤❤
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Post by moletteuk on Jul 24, 2017 13:33:12 GMT
I think you just answered your own doubts, Random, read back your list of experience again and I'm sure there is a ton of other experience you didn't mention, you sound pretty good to me! I know you have extra anxiety issues, but I think it's completely natural to feel some anxiety on taking on an animal with known issues, I think you are brave to take her on knowing there is going to be some stress and I think you have ticked all the boxes of things you can think about in advance. You are ready and it's going to be fine.
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Post by randomname on Jul 24, 2017 13:52:33 GMT
It's actually really nice that Ruthy has been so open about her - not often I know in advance what to watch for. Usually people lie through their teeth & I end up with an unexpected bill. Or they get dumped, no explanation. That's why I am taking Misty. To be honest I wasn't/am not looking to adopt any more, & Ruthy wasn't looking to rehome her. I offered because I felt Misty would be alone too much & that we could squeeze her in. The fact she's old means it's less of a commitment too. Ruthy was initally concerned enough to point out that she might not have long, that she wan't in great health & that she felt bad about it for me. That's why I said yes, most people would have either said no to be selfish, or yes but she's fine, no problems, don't know how old etc. Ruthy has gone out of her way to explain Misty's needs, so I am super happy to take her. Love people like Ruthy, wish everyone was as honest & loved their furry friends enough to do the difficult thing. It would make rescue work a lot easier if everyone was as upfront & as caring as Ruthy is being.
I'm in a weird paradox - my anxiety & ocd make me worry to crazy-level-10 about the animals, but it also keeps me motivated to keep them clean & in the best set ups I can manage. It is both evil & good in equal measure. I think it's good that I'm 100% motivated to give Misty the best life possible, no matter how long or short it is. That means it'll happen, she'll be good. It's bad that I am mentally exhausted thinking about it all & she's not even here yet! Am really looking forward to this time next week, she should be settled by then & my anxiety should go down.
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