3 Male Degus- South Glens Falls, NY

[hpdegus]

Hi all,

These degus (not mine) are in need of a loving home with someone who knows how to care for them! They're currently in what looks like a plastic rabbit cage.

albany.craigslist.org/pet/d/degus/6756043221.html

If anyone would be able to take them in long term, I'd be more than happy to pick them up short term if necessary! I live near Dartmouth College, so I'd also be happy to pick them up and meet you halfway somewhere, if they're too far away. Or vice versa, since they're a ~2 hour drive from me.

Please let me know if you're interested! I'm planning on contacting the seller in the next few days if I don't hear anything.

[deguconvert]

Poor little loves!! They need a new home alright!

[zenaida]

Those wheels too! I would be sorely tempted if they were females instead of males.

[hpdegus]

Haha, sure you can't be convinced? I can't deal, so I've arranged to pick them up this weekend. Hopefully I'll be able to find them wonderful forever home!

[bouncy]

I'm sure we'll see a massive improvement in their health within 24hrs! I wonder if they know what a dust bath is.......

[hpdegus]

Ok, update time!

The goos are at my place now, hanging out in their new cage. I've already given them names (bad sign, right?): Tom, Q, and Ollie.

Good news: I think the yellow cage is what they were originally found in. The person I picked them up from helps the county with surrendered exotic pets, though he only has reptile experience. They were in the larger green cage, which I would assume was made for a rabbit. They also had a dustbath, so that's awesome.

Bad news: Tom (most outgoing of the goos, missing half an ear) appears to have cataracts in one eye. Q (less outgoing, but not terrified) has cataracts in both eyes. Ollie (who has been squeaking nonstop) I haven't had a good look at.

Does anyone have suggestions on how to deal with goos with cataracts? Ive attached a pic to make sure I've identified cataracts correctly! I don't know if they have diabetes, or honestly even what they were fed. I didn't see hay in the cage...

For now, they've been given hay, dried forage, several water bottles, a dust bath, and the normal pellets I give to my goos (sun seed vita prima). I'll give them a good seed mix tomorrow morning, unless that's a no go for diabetic goos.

If anyone has any insight, thoughts, or comments I'd love to hear them!

[hpdegus]

Oh! Forgot, they're approximately a year or so old. I'll check weights and sexes when they've settled in a bit more. They look fairly adult sized to me though.

[ntg]

Yep, those look like cataracts! Don't worry though, it shouldn't impact them much I've dealt with it many times and, past being slightly more skittish, they've always got around okay and turned into confident, well-adjusted (for goos) members of society

Top tips are:

Don't move things around much - they'll learn the layout of the cage and play area quickly. If you do change things then just keep an eye on them for confusion and try to help them through it (treats and taps on solid surfaces helps to show them that something is there).

No big drops - I always have bridges and easy steps for them to go down so they should always have a route they're confident with. As usual no drops bigger than 50cm but I usually go for 30cm max if possible.

Look at the diet - some cataracts are caused by cabohydrates/sugar in the diet, others diabetes, and some are genetic. Diets with lots of grains and veg treats should be avoided where possible. I feed a grainfree diet for mine and limit veg as much as possible although my boy's are most likely caused by genetic cataracts. Instead for treats they get oil seeds and dandelion root

[hpdegus]

Hahaha, well adjusted goos--sounds like an oxymoron!

That's really good to know, ntg! They already seem to be pretty comfortable with the cage layout. Q (who has cataracts in both eyes) was even seen on the second level.

I'll need to buy a bunch more bridges, wasn't expecting this at all. I'll try to not adjust their cage/play area too much once they settle in.

I'll have to check my pellet mix. I dont believe it has grain, but it's always good to be positive.

A dried forage mix should be fine then? And I'll definitely get them started with the high calcium oil seeds. I haven't seen teeth yet and I'm kind of scared to look.

[ntg]

Yeah lots of forage is good as it causes a slower, steadier release of energy compared to carbohydrates

[hpdegus]

Excellent! Then it honestly doesn't seem like their diet will need to be too different from my other goos, which is great. Thank you so much for such quick responses

[bouncy]

It sounds like they're in safe hands, and have found their forever home!

They already look better having had a bath!

[deguconvert]

Well done, love! And I too think they look better already for having had a sand bath.

[hpdegus]

Thank you! Haha, Bouncy, I'm still trying to find them a forever home! But if that doesnt work out, I'm more than happy to have them stay

So apparently the pic from the craigslist ad was the original pic from when they were found. I have to give massive kudos to the guy who I got them from, since he was able to get them a lot healthier! Hes a reptile expert though, so itll be good to be able to give them degu-specific care.