molly
Newborn Degu
Posts: 22
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Post by molly on Aug 28, 2011 19:57:19 GMT
We've just found 1 of our degus injured. We heard a rather loud bang a little while ago and after about 10 minutes of frequent alarm calls, we came to check...Noel was sitting in their food bowl calling to the others! Looking more closely we found some minor cuts (and 1 more significant wound) down his side! We don't know if he fell or was fighting...1 of the dowling rods across the cage has been chewed through and was hanging...
He's having a time-out at the moment, in the P@H box after being cleaned up with some salt solution.
I don't know whether to put hime back in the cage or not...we don't have a spare!...only the box!
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Post by deguconvert on Aug 28, 2011 20:08:10 GMT
I suspect he was sitting on the doweling and chewing through it as he sat on it. Very likely he tried to catch himself as he fell and achieved his wounds in that manner. Can you hold him for a while? Would the weather today allow for a second shirt on top of your first shirt, so that he can climb inside and rest for a while? He would probably calm down in there and potentially curl up for a sleep. Do be prepared that he will poop and wee.
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molly
Newborn Degu
Posts: 22
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Post by molly on Aug 28, 2011 20:13:01 GMT
Yeah thats kind of what we thought...its just gone 9pm here by the way...
Our problem is lack of a secure place to keep him separated if needs be.
We've just tried to put him back with the others but they are pawing at his wounds...i dont know whether to keep him by himself for a while...?
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Post by deguconvert on Aug 28, 2011 20:25:15 GMT
Hmmm . . . you do need to bring your day to an end. The box is not a good choice for him as he will chew his way out of it in no time at all. Can you watch him in cage with his fellows for a while and see if they calm down together?
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molly
Newborn Degu
Posts: 22
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Post by molly on Aug 28, 2011 20:34:47 GMT
yeah, i might try again in a minute...i think we've found something better than the box anyway if they won't leave him alone. I have a large plastic storage box and my husband just drilled some air holes in a large piece of plyboard for a roof. I think thats better than the cardboard box he's in at the moment.
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molly
Newborn Degu
Posts: 22
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Post by molly on Aug 28, 2011 21:02:20 GMT
No, it's no good. I put him back in and 1 of them pounced straight on him, then everytime I tried to put him in he would pace back and forwards squeaking and then climb back into my hands!
Has anybody heard of a degu being rejected by the group because of injury/weakness?
...or am I being melodramatic?
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Post by marracraighead on Aug 28, 2011 22:23:25 GMT
I am so sorry your lil goo is injured. My heart breaks everytime one of mine is injured
I will be watching your thread and what a great set of questions
I have a set of 4 I have been trying to intro for a few months but one came preinjured so I am wondering if they do not get along bc of her injury
I hope you get some answers but I am no help, sorry
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Post by deguconvert on Aug 28, 2011 23:19:43 GMT
It's probably too late to reach you, and I don't really have anything more to add. If you do choose to use the plastic container, make sure that you have substrate in there and some potential nesting things, like tissues, maybe a small cardboard box, like a facial tissue box, that can be used as a hiding place, water, food, and hopefully some chew toys. You may wish to place this container in a room that can be completely closed off, just incase he chews his way out and escapes on you.
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molly
Newborn Degu
Posts: 22
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Post by molly on Aug 29, 2011 16:22:14 GMT
Thanks for the advice guys, its been quite a stressful episode altogether.
I did use the plastic box last night... i gave him the towel that we'd held him when we bathed his wounds, he made a little burrow in the folds to sleep in!
We tried to reintroduce him to the group this morning but Milton is being very aggressive to him. So Noel now has his own compartment in the top third of the cage...hopefully we can reintroduce him at some point when he's better!
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Post by sancho on Aug 29, 2011 17:43:53 GMT
Maybe the aggression results from a possible change in the ranks, Milton tries to take the chance to change the pecking order. I guess Milton was below Noel 'till now?!
If so, you should give Noel some time to recover and reintroduce them...with both goos fit and healthy, the order should be re-organized quite fast.
How did the others react? Were all of them aggressive, or was it just Milton? Or was everything to quick to oversee?
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molly
Newborn Degu
Posts: 22
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Post by molly on Sept 6, 2011 19:50:29 GMT
I just thought I would update on the situation for anybody who is interested...
following a tense week, my husband and I decided today that Noel needs a completely separate cage to Milton...I'm sure there's plenty of you out there who would have told me that from the start! So after slating the Thickets Degu home the other day on this very forum, I've been out to buy one! Noel seems to be loving it, its just the right size for him and his injuries/afflictions!
We have found ourselves constantly policing Milton and Noel over the last few days...they managed to gnaw a rather large hole around a notch we had to cut for the door to swing properly...and they have been nose to nose taking swipes at each other for a week now!
On a more pleasant note, all is now calm! Noel is happily exploring his new home, running...skipping, jumping in and out of his sputnik! The other 3 are currently cwtched up together snoozing on a ledge! Tomorrow, they can have their upper levels back!
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Post by deguconvert on Sept 6, 2011 22:19:15 GMT
Sounds like you have made the right decision. I'm so glad that Noel is happier. It's a huge relief for you, I'm sure! Enjoy the peace!
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