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Post by crazycarly on Oct 14, 2011 20:53:27 GMT
Hi guys! :3
Ive recently rescued 4 wonderful 'Goo's,all of which seem to be itching really excessively!
There general husbandry & diet was far less than ideal in there previous "breeders" home - fed rabbit muslie,no hay and no dust baths ever offered or at hand.
I was wondering whether the scratching is down to the lack of dust baths (now have access to it daily,for a good 2-3 hours) or whether it was possibly due to there prior diet?
I was also wondering whether they where prone or able to attract lice or mites of any kind,whether that would be the cause?
Many thanks for any help with the above,any snippets of information are greatly appreciated! :3
Best wishes,
Carly
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Post by Kins on Oct 15, 2011 7:47:25 GMT
How 'excessive' is their scratching? Every minute? Once every 5-10 minutes? I think sometimes people have a worry that the scratching is excessive when in actual fact it may be pretty normal. All 4 of mine scratch fairly regularly, a quick under the arm with a foot scratch and they love their dust bath, so much so that they try and bath in the dust that gets flicked out on to the shelf, which may be because they are a little 'itchy'... It may be something more serious though. Sorry, I don't seem to have been much help there...  |
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Post by crazycarly on Oct 15, 2011 7:59:56 GMT
It's very helpful Kins,thank you!  Im sure it may just be a case of "new owner paranoia",lol! The scratching is every 2-4 minutes generally,depending on which Degu, and they continually scratch for quite some time,it's not just a quick scratch here and there,if that makes any sense! xD |
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Post by deguconvert on Oct 17, 2011 3:33:13 GMT
Sounds like mites or something similar. You should probably have a vet look at them just to be sure and they will be able to give apropriate treatment.
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Post by NightwishRaven999 on Oct 17, 2011 3:38:20 GMT
I agree with Faith. If it is very regular and continual, it is very possible they may have contracted parasites. This is not surprising considering the poor living conditions they were in before coming to you.
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Post by malteser60 on Oct 17, 2011 15:50:01 GMT
What does their fur look like crazycarly? Are there any bald patches? Also are they using their dust bath now?
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Post by crazycarly on Oct 17, 2011 17:38:52 GMT
Ahh...so parasites it may well be! Rambo has a slight bald patch on the back of his neck,i wasnt sure whether it's from over grooming on Mama's part? Mama who does appear to be scratching the most does have slight hair loss on her nose,and a small amount on her belly/hind leg.Roo and Pickles dont appear to have any hair loss,although Roo especially scratches at her stomach quite a fair bit. They are very eagerly enjoying and using there dust baths - all often cram into the tub! xD Rambo,the little baby who im having to hand rear (believe to be around 3 weeks of age now) still hasnt a clue,or shown any interest,in the sand and is very greasy looking still - will he eventually take to the dusting himself,or do i need to be giving him a helping hand in some way? Many many thanks guys,i will phone up the vets tomorrow to see what treatments they suggest! |
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Post by Ady on Oct 17, 2011 18:26:05 GMT
Hi, I think the little one will learn to sand bath eventually. When I had pups, they all started to sand bath at different times, last one was 8 weeks old when she finally got interested. Also have u checked your degus skin? If it's not red or irritated?
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Post by crazycarly on Oct 17, 2011 20:13:24 GMT
Thank you Ady - thats a huge relief,fingers crossed he's a fast learner and takes to it shortly. He does go straight in there and sit in it (getting squashed by 3 excited females in the process! xD) Is it normal for younger degu's to be slightly greasy? Skin doesnt look red or irritated on any of them,although i havnt been able to get a brilliant look - such wiggly little monkeys!  Will try for a better look...il get the monkey nuts out as a distraction...  |
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