in need of advice...degu has passed away

[lilladylu]

Hi to all, I wasn't sure where to post this but I am guessing this would be kind of behavioral.

My degu gordon has passed away...not so long ago. and I am not sure whether Andre knows that he has gone...

Andre is in the bed with Gordy's body. He is making the talking/chirpy noises but hasn't reacted like when denzil died...They were both crying and squarking when their brother died.

How long do i leave the body in the cage for?? How will i know that he knows Gordy has gone?

I don't want to upset him by taking the body away too soon.

Grateful of any advice.

Thank you for your time

Lucy.

[Ady]

Hi,
just wanted to post to say I'm sorry your goo passed away. Wish I could give u some advice about your situation. How is Andre behaving now? Is Gordy still with him?

[lilladylu]

Hi Ady,

I took Gordon out about 2 hours after he passed away. Andre was still sitting with him so i picked Gordon up and put him under andre's nose, and at that point he went to bite Gordon's nose and walked over him. So I removed the body. I think if I had taken him away sooner he wouldn't have understood.

Andre had a fall in their tower cage last year. We found out he had an ulcer on his eyeball. He had eye drops but it gave him a nasty head tilt. I don't think he has been the full ticket since. He is fine in himself now. But I am not sure if he is quite as 'degu' as other degu's. hehe! His cage now has much lower levels as he falls over all the time.

It is devastating that he has lost Gordon. I don't know how he would do with other degus?

Thanx again for your post x

[Ady]

I don't have any experience with introductions but its success varies. I would think that as Andre will be alone now for some time, he could be quite open to meet new degu. It takes some time to introduce adults. Babies are easier but if your degu is couple years old, you would have to get at least 2 babies so one wouldn't be left alone when Andre gets old. There's introduction guide here on forum.
Hope Andre is coping fine. And you too x

Also if the cage is too tall for him, you could turn it on it's side (as Amie did, she posts pics here). I did it with my temporary cage and it works very well.

BTW I have 3 baby boys (5 weeks of age) up for adoption soon in North London

[Kins]

lilladylu I am so sorry for your loss.

I don't have any advice really other than to give Andre as much attention as you can so that he doesn't feel lonely.

RIP sweet Gordon

[nicola27]

Aww RIP Gordon x