|
Post by Xellie on May 9, 2020 10:50:39 GMT
So this is a super sad topic and I'm sad about it too...
I posted here before about my two 8 year old goos, stubbytail and fluffytail, stubby was diagnosed with a heart condition with we've been managing with meds. He's a bit breathless and a little wobbly, but still active and likes tearing up paper, loves a treat and loves a cuddle. So I've been putting off the final decision until such a time that his life quality is poor that he doesn't seem to find joy in anything.
And I think we're almost there. For the last two days he won't come out of his nest. He takes treats if I reach inside, but all he wants to do is snuggle with his brother. I give him his meds (which he has become very belligerent about the last couple of days) and is capable of walking back to his nest.
On top of that, his brother is off his food a bit and grooming stubby a LOT. He's taking any non-babyfood treats and just burying them in the nest. His stash was cleaned out the other day so it's not that he has a lot of food hidden.
So I think we are almost there. I'm praying he'll pull through in the next few days and that he's just being grumpy, but realistically I think he knows and is ready to go.
And I live in the UK, so lockdown, etc etc, finding new friends right now isn't very realistic.
I'm turning my thoughts to his brother who will survive him. Is there anything I should particularly do to help ease the loss? Fluffs doesn't like being handled (although that might change if he's alone?) and he's always been a picky eater.
|
|
|
Post by butters on May 9, 2020 14:30:24 GMT
Lone degus tend to bond with their humans more so maybe he is more getting used to you. Other then that snuggle safe and a stuffed toy(ikea has the best!) might help him. And try to give him more attention but that count for both now one is on his last days
|
|
|
Post by klbishop on May 9, 2020 15:21:47 GMT
Im really sorry love, that sounds really tough.
Weve had the lone situation once which quickly escalated into 3 degu set ups, 2 lone boys and triplets. (as teenage boys are really stubborn and hard to intro!) last year 2 of the triplets were nearing 10 years old and one (pablo) had lost lots of weight and fur, we made the decision to take on some females so miguel woudlnt be alone and sadly he passed on in january but was surrounded by his harem.
Whenever there is a loss Ive found the goos react differently and found that their characters change and they grieve in their own unique ways. I agree with xellie that that my 2 lone boys bonded and saught out contact with humans, they saught out grooming and when we tried intros were grooming each other through the bars but couldnt cope with living together. I also agree with safe cuddly toys adn things to snuggle up to.
Im sending all my love to your family xx
|
|
|
Post by moletteuk on May 9, 2020 18:06:26 GMT
I would say try and let Fluffytail guide you and just be there for him with plenty of attention of whatever type he prefers, even if it's just sitting nearby, and see how he gets on.
Sending best wishes to you and Stubbytail, it's so hard saying goodbye.
|
|
|
Post by deguconvert on May 9, 2020 18:24:50 GMT
I'm so sorry, Xellie! These will be hard days for you and for your boys. My thoughts are with you!
|
|
|
Post by klbishop on May 10, 2020 14:26:52 GMT
How are you doing today? much love sending your way x
|
|
|
Post by Xellie on May 10, 2020 17:57:04 GMT
Stubby is active today. He really loves the brown paper that comes in amazon packages when they ship them. I hadn't been putting the snugglesafe in because it's been quite warm here, but I gave to to them last night and they love it. I guess if his heart isn't working he probably feels cold anyway.
|
|
|
Post by moletteuk on May 10, 2020 18:27:12 GMT
Glad he seems OK today. They can make a habit of making you think they have nearly had enough til you are all upset and almost making the phone call and then rallying. My oldie, Alice, was poorly for a full year and enjoyed the heatpad right through the summer, although our house stays fairly cool. You can adjust how long you leave it in the microwave, or you could put an extra layer of fleece over it to shield the heat and give some extra softness.
|
|
|
Post by klbishop on May 10, 2020 18:58:04 GMT
Snuggle safe is the best thing ever !! glad you guys are having a good day. much love x
|
|
|
Post by winic1 on May 11, 2020 18:49:00 GMT
Perhaps get the snuggly toy now, so that it picks up both their scents-- do you all think that would make it more comforting, or more confusing for the one who is left alone?
|
|
|
Post by bouncy on May 12, 2020 13:40:06 GMT
Poor Stubby!
It does sound like the brothers are getting ready for the inevitable, I'm afraid. I do agree with Winic about getting the cuddly toy in there now, though.
Fluffy will, as the others say, become more attached to you. Some interpret this as having a happy goo, but it is an indication of loneliness. Again, let Fluffy guide you. Cuddly toy, snugglesafe, extra attention, and make sure he gets to see Stubby afterwards so he knows to start mourning. I think you'll know whether Fluffy is just missing his brother and is content to stay as he is, or whether he'd like company, but this may change as the world starts to emerge again and people spend more time out of their houses.
|
|
|
Post by Xellie on May 14, 2020 9:13:27 GMT
Stubby is up and down atm, but fluffy is still very depressed and refusing most treats. (he'll only take fenugreek crunchies and crocks! and then he buries them). He kind of guards stubby when i try to give him his meds. (Stubby has resigned to taking them, he grabs the syringe after a minute or so of fighting like "okay, get it over with so I get my treat" )
I'll look for a toy for him. Worst case I'll stuff a sock with some bedding.
If it comes down to him needing company, its going to be very hard. The only goos in my immediate area are a pair of males roughly a year old. I love them and they're adorable, but I feel like they are at such a age that there will be tantrums over territory.
|
|
|
Post by bouncy on May 14, 2020 13:33:24 GMT
You may find, at his current age, that Fluffy will just submit and let them get on with it.
I'm sure I've asked this before (sorry!), but whereabouts are you? In the UK, we certainly have a rescue or two that will do the introduction for you.
|
|
|
Post by moletteuk on May 14, 2020 17:01:02 GMT
Just wondering if Fluffy has had his teeth checked recently?
There isn't usually a desperate rush to find new friends for a lone degu, so don't feel you have to rush into getting the wrong degus. It does sound like fluffy is quite a sensitive soul though, not sure if that means he is more likely to be submissive or if he might be more or less fussy about who he makes friends with??
|
|
|
Post by Xellie on May 14, 2020 18:04:24 GMT
bouncy , I'm in east norfolk, right by great yarmouth. Sorta miles from anywhere really. moletteuk he had a dental about 2 months ago. I've thought he might just be a really toothy goo. I'm not sure who the boss is between them! Stubby seems to call the shots when it comes to food, but right now they are laying in the sun, with fluffs on top of stubby. edit: Oh yeah, he is very sensitive. I separated them for Fluffy's first dental, so they were apart for a day. And he sulked like... he looked like a deflated balloon. He just lay there so still and so sad. Now I always take them together if vet trips are needed
|
|
|
Post by bouncy on May 14, 2020 22:16:06 GMT
Ah, not a million miles from my sister, so I know what you mean about the middle of nowhere There's definitely a place in Sussex called Raystede the helps with intros. Although they've closed the rescue, Peggy at the former Little Bites in Luton may also be able to offer help and support.
|
|
|
Post by Xellie on Oct 2, 2020 8:51:22 GMT
So... On tuesday I took the boys to the vet, it's a long trip so I overnight them there for fluffy's dental and pick them up the next day. I wanted the vet to check on stubby because he became very puffy very suddenly over the course of a couple of days.
In the morning I got the call that stubby was unconscious and wouldn't wake. We made the decision to help him on his way. Fluffs stayed with him the whole time.
I cried like a baby, but not half as much as when I saw fluffs laying around depressed and refusing to do anything.
He's bouncing back surprisingly quickly. He's active again 3 days after the fact, he wants a lot more attention from me (which is a big improvement from wanting NOTHING from me!) and I feel like he knew it was coming too. I was prepping a new cage for him and his bro, but I'll wait a few weeks to see how he's coping.
In other news, I adopted a pair of 6 month old rescues, completely in the mindset that they are at an age where this might not work, but I thought I'd have more time. So in a few weeks I will move fluffs to his new home and have the cages close by, I think...
|
|
|
Post by savvy on Oct 2, 2020 9:17:55 GMT
I am so sorry that you've lost stubby, but so happy that you've got new furbabies.
I'm convinced that close groups know when there's something wrong with a cage mate and I think you made the right decisions all round.
Rest in peace stubby.
|
|
|
Post by Xellie on Oct 2, 2020 9:34:09 GMT
The new boys are giving me a work out for sure! One of them lunges at me screaming if I try to take the treats bowl away! (no teeth, he just yells at me then runs away)
The vet kept the older boys together as stubby passed. hopefully that eases things for fluffs a bit
|
|
|
Post by bouncy on Oct 2, 2020 15:20:22 GMT
My guys started mourning Scaredy a couple of days before we said goodbye - they're smart cookies. The new guys sound like they don't want you to make any changes to their new home quite yet! Also, a possible translation could be "oi, we're rescues, so you have to spoil us! Removing the treat bowl is NOT allowed, unless to refill, ot we'll report you to the rescue!"
|
|