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Post by kikgoos on Aug 13, 2017 8:06:55 GMT
Hi,
So I rescued 2 brothers aged about 12 months from a pretty unsuitable home around 6 weeks ago. They were in a small plastic based cage with very little enrichment but seemed really close, just normal grumbles over treats and the wheels. About 3 weeks ago we got a new cage (2nd edition liberta) and they seemed to love it, still the usual scraps but nothing major, sleep together, grooming etc all ok. Anyway on Friday (todays sun) they were out of the cage and they were doing a little box about but it suddenly turned into a locked ball of fur! Put them vack in the cage and realised Barry wasn't weight bearing on his back leg and there was blood on his toes. I kept them together as Larry seemed pretty concerned. He then must of gone for Barry again as Barry tried to run away from him and looked absolutely terrified. Been to the vets to get him checked (she was pretty rubbish as usual vet was away and she didn't know how to handle Barry or know a lot about them). I got pain relief and I've been trying to get him to stand in salt water, no major damage I don't think. Since then I've held each one to the cage, Barry always starts off with happy chirps and Larry just teeth chatters crossly. They've had a neutral meet and although I stopped it after 10 min before a scrap escalated I could see that I think it gets tense when Barry has enough. They both bum sniff and Barry frequently put his bum really high and submissive but when Larry tries to mount him he snaps back then tries to hide looking scared. I'm going to try take the cage apart and put them side by side and try neutral intros. Any thoughts? :-( two lone Degus and a very sad house xxx
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Post by kikgoos on Aug 13, 2017 8:19:13 GMT
Sorry didn't make it clear but to add, they are mow seperated. Barry in top of cage and Larry in the bottom. I'm so sad, I wanted to give them a much happier and healthy life and now it's all gone south :-( Xxx
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Post by savvy on Aug 13, 2017 15:40:11 GMT
Welcome to the forum. I'm sorry to hear about the problems you're experiencing.
The same thing happened to me. I adopted two boys aged three and a half, who had spent all their lives in and out of pets at home and never being in anything bigger than a thickets cage. I bought them the aventura cage and they had a massive fight!
It is territory related. New cage, new territory, new hierarchy to establish.
Keep them apart until their injuries have healed and remove the dust bath if there are any open wounds as the sand may cause problems if it gets in.
Your degus are also of an age to still be in adolescence so hormones will be running high.
I'd hold off any reintroductions until injuries have healed as it puts the injured degu at a distinct disadvantage if they do fight again.
Don't lose heart, it may take time to get them together again. A lot will depend on how long they can hold a grudge.
If there's anything we can help with please let us know, we're here to help.
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Post by kikgoos on Aug 13, 2017 17:18:55 GMT
Hi,
Thanks so much for your reply. They were so happy in that cage for a few weeks, I wonder what triggered it? They were out of the cage at the time, do you think they were fighting over the open space territory? I did another neutral meet today (before I read your reply), they managed 20 min together with no fights, no closeness either and Barry still having moments of fear and hiding under my top (bless him) but I ended it at the first sign the usual behaviour may get worse. I just hate seeing each one living and sleeping on tbeir own! Xxx
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Post by savvy on Aug 13, 2017 17:52:02 GMT
They do fight over any new territory so yes, the open space could have started them off.
Mine were OK for a few weeks, then all hell broke out between them. Dixie even broke through a cordon to get to Pixie to continue the FBOD!
You could get each one something to cuddle, I find knotted cotton socks very useful, or even a pet safe furry toy (other members use these and can advise you further on the toys.) Then swap it over between them so they used to each others scents again.
Supervised free time is a good way to go, just keep something handy to help you separate them if needed as degus will bite you if you try to split them up by hand and degu bites can be very nasty.
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Post by kikgoos on Aug 13, 2017 18:29:34 GMT
Oh good idea with the socks/toy! Did you get yours back together in the end? I think I'll try evening primrose and lots of exercise time out and see if that calms them down too, neither are neutered so like you say, maybe it has all built up too much because of hormone overdrive and frustration! I have many war wounds at the moment looking like I took on a thorny rose bush and lost! Xxx
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Post by savvy on Aug 13, 2017 18:40:18 GMT
Unfortunately I didn't as poor Pixie died before I could accomplish it. But it took weeks to get them to even accept each other in side by side cages, and meetings would end in teeth chattering, puffed up angry degus. I think their divorce was official.
I now have two aventura cages side by side with Dixie in one and Bumblebee in the other and I am about to start the introduction process between them as they seem to be accepting each other now.
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Post by savvy on Aug 13, 2017 18:43:43 GMT
Chamomile also works well to calm them.
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Post by kikgoos on Aug 13, 2017 20:13:44 GMT
Aw no, sorry to hear about Pixie :-( I hope the new introduction goes well and you have a home of happy goos!
:-) xxx
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Post by savvy on Aug 13, 2017 22:41:51 GMT
I hope you manage your get them back together, it should be easier as your boys are a lot younger than mine.
If they are interacting, albeit for a few minutes, at least they haven't fallen out completely. Swap handfuls of substrate between the cages so they recognise each others scents. At the moment they will be behaving like stroppy teenagers but they should settle back down given time.
Just don't give up.
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Post by bouncy on Aug 13, 2017 23:35:27 GMT
I can only second everything Savycat has said. Strange as it seems, although the liberta is a fantastic improvement for them, it will kind of freak them out for a bit. All of their scents and familiar places are gone and, to a certain extent, they think they're in hostile territory. As it's been a few weeks since the move, I wonder if there's been a change in the neighbourhood that might have unsettled them. Even as something as weird as a neighbour having a new dog. Stick with it
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Post by bouncy on Aug 13, 2017 23:38:09 GMT
Don't panic - I'm going to move this thread to our fighting and intros section, so it may get some more insights.
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Post by kikgoos on Aug 14, 2017 7:41:49 GMT
Oh great, thank you! All insights welcome. xxx
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Post by kikgoos on Aug 14, 2017 7:44:32 GMT
Sorry, didn't see your other comment.
No new dogs about that I know of, would new people make a difference? My step daughter is with us on weekends and the fight broke out when she was there for their out of cage time? Xxx
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Post by bouncy on Aug 14, 2017 9:18:56 GMT
It's possible, but have things settled down since she left?
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Post by kikgoos on Aug 14, 2017 10:04:04 GMT
It's hard to tell at the moment as they are not side by side and I haven't put them back in the same open area. They haven't seemed stressed in the cage whilst she was here and I didn't let her in during their neutral meet. Funny little furballs aren't they! If they get back together I think I'm going to be a nervous wreck from here on out, I'll turn into a house bound recluse and start sleeping next to their cage checking on them hahaha xxx
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Post by deguconvert on Aug 14, 2017 14:30:10 GMT
LOL! You certainly wouldn't be the first! Several of us have totally done that!
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Post by kikgoos on Aug 14, 2017 17:26:51 GMT
I can believe it! I've had so many different pets over the years and without a doubt these boys have caused me more stress, more money and taken more time than any other in just a few short weeks. YET, I totally think I love them the best already!! Xxx
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Post by savvy on Aug 14, 2017 17:52:19 GMT
There is no escaping the fact that degus are loveable little weirdos, lol.
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Post by bouncy on Aug 14, 2017 18:14:55 GMT
They are utterly adorable, addictive, and intelligent!
My mum's been moaning about Scaredygoo not taking his medicine from her a few times last week. He knows I'm back, though, bounding over and often waiting for me whilst I'm getting the syringe ready.
Oh yeah, and you'll spend loads more yet!
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