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Post by kiwikie on Dec 19, 2011 16:47:54 GMT
A bit of history first. I have had 2 degus for almost 2 years and they've always been very lively. They live in a degu cage from Pets at home. www.petsathome.com/shop/chinchilla-and-degu-cage-by-thickets-house-15966They also have the Degu specific food from pets at home, in their cage is a flying saucer running wheel, a nest box half filled with hay, also in the cage is a metal rectangular dust bowl and a hanging plastic tube. I let my Degus out of the cage either in an exercise ball or on the sofa, both make the Degus happy and playful, they return into the cage when they want, or when I call them. I give them a single treat a day, I have a small plastic bowl filled with Degu friendly treats and I allow them to pick their own. Now the problem. I woke up today and went to check on my Degus as I usually do and I noticed one of them was still in the nest box, which is unusual because when I go to the cage both Degus come to greet me. I checked on the Degu in the nest box and he was cold to touch and didn't move, I took him out fearing the worst but he was alive, just very unwilling to move. With him being cold I quickly wrapped him up in my shirt and attempted to warm him up, after about half an hour of cuddling he started to move, however he only moved out of my shirt to piddle on the table in front of us and then retreated slowly to the shirt again(I thought it weird that he came out of my shirt to piddle) At this point I offered him food, which he denied, then a treat, which he also denied, so I offered him water, he also denied. From what I can see he has lost some weight, his teeth are from what I can tell normal, so I don't think he is ill, The other Degu in the cage is perfectly fine however, since I put the other Degu back into the cage the have cuddled, I'm sure that this is an attempt to warm up the cold Degu. I placed a light heat lamp in one corner of the cage and the cold Degu has gone straight to it. there is plenty of water(2 bottles) and 2 bowls full of food. Is there anything I could be missing? I am rather worried. I can't get in contact with the Vets so if nothing has changed by tomorrow I will take him to the Vets |
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Post by malteser60 on Dec 19, 2011 17:23:58 GMT
Hi kiwikie, welcome to the forum.
So, first thing is to try and keep him as warm as possible. The heat lamp is good, make sure both degus can't get to it (i.e. they can't touch the lamp). Other possibilities are a snugglepad, if you have one. Or you can put some barely or rice in a sock and heat that up in a microwave (put a glass of water in there as well to keep the sock moist).
Try and feed him some water and food. You may have to use a syringe, or pippete, dropper, something like that. For food you can either try to mush up the P@H pellets with some water. Even better is try some sugar-free peanut butter. Degus normallly love peanuts so it could entice him to eat. Another option is baby food as well.
However, the most important thing is to get him to a vet. Please keep us informed with what happens.
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Post by moletteuk on Dec 19, 2011 20:48:42 GMT
Unfortunately, he sounds quite poorly, they hide it really well when anything is wrong, so if he is cold and lethargic then he needs to see the vet ASAP. In the meantime warmth, liquid and any type of food you can get him to take.
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Post by kiwikie on Dec 20, 2011 17:39:00 GMT
Some good news, I left him at about 5am this morning as I needed sleep, sadly there was no change in his behaviour. When I got up I checked on him and he was more active than yesterday, I phoned the vets who told me the earliest I could see them would be Thursday.
The good news is that I gave him a small amount of carrot and he started eating it, he's not ate much since however, but it seems to be a start.
So, he's eating small amounts now and is slightly more active and is warmer, i will most definitely be going to the Vets on Thursday.
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Post by pappy1264 on Dec 20, 2011 18:41:40 GMT
You may want to get some gas drops, as when they don't eat, gas will start to build up and make them not be able to eat. They are infant gas drops (simethicone drops).
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Post by kiwikie on Dec 21, 2011 19:20:08 GMT
Today my Degu was much better than previous days, he's been eating and drinking, even playing with the other Degu in the cage, he has however stayed near the heat lamp, not venturing far from it. I've placed a food bowl and drink bottle near the heat lamp, still going to take him to the vets tomorrow, things are looking good.
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Post by kiwikie on Dec 24, 2011 21:07:12 GMT
I have been very busy of the past few days but, my degu is fine, the vet couldn't put a finger on what was wrong with him but my degu is acting exactly as i'm used to  |
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Post by jayner27 on Dec 26, 2011 16:04:55 GMT
Kiwikie that is such lovely news.. i havent been on much with christmas but was wondering how all was going for you, superb news ... my degu stevie (the dad) had his neutering op and the following day collapsed and started what looked like fitting..just held him in my hands and he just lay there, i phoned the vets they said watch him if there is no improvement bring him up , the rest of the goos cuddled up nudging him and taking care of him but still no improvement.. i had not joined here then and had no support:(.. following day the same, he wouldnt move and if he tried he was just crawling on his belly i was distraught...i phoned the vets again and they said bring him up picked him up no arguements from him at all which was so unlike him.. i got to the vets opened the carrier and he jumped out and starting bounding up and down on the table good as new?? ... £25 later a clean bill of health.. little devil!!! iput that down to shock of the op but who knows he has been fine ever since... going on here lol.. just wanted to share this one.. take care jayne x |
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Post by princessveronica on Dec 29, 2011 2:20:18 GMT
From what you wrote it simly looks like you KEEP the dustbath inside their cage! This is very bad! I bought my degus (and accesories) from Pets At Home. Haven't they told you to put the dustbath in for only an hour??? ?  Plus, you should give them the treats not let them pick their own because they can't have too much sugar!!! Sorry about me complaining. Now. If you say his teeth are OK, do you mean they're yellow? If yes, great! Yellow teeth=strong, healthy. White teeth=weak, unhealthy. Because your degus are from Pets At Home, you should go to their shop and they will contact their vet. (That's what they do in Milton Keynes.) I really don't know what happened to the degu! I really hope he gets back to normal! If not then I am very sorry! |
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Post by Maravilla on Dec 29, 2011 9:26:57 GMT
From what you wrote it simly looks like you KEEP the dustbath inside their cage! This is very bad! I bought my degus (and accesories) from Pets At Home. Haven't they told you to put the dustbath in for only an hour??? What is bad about leaving the dust bath in the cage the whole time? There isn't anything bad about it actually. These "experts" at pet shops are just trained to sell stuff and animals, learned some facts (which don't need to be the truth) about every species of animals they sell but normally they don't have any idea about the keeping of these animals. Normally there is just one reason for removing the dust bath from the cage for a couple of days: when there are injuries. In this case it is better to remove the sand bath to avoid infections. Do you like the idea of only being able to enter the bathroom once a day? Of only washing your hands once a day? And only, when your parents allow you to do so? |
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Post by deguconvert on Dec 30, 2011 18:53:58 GMT
I used to take our dust bath out all the time, only leaving it in for a couple of hours every 2-3 days, but I leave it in all the time now. They are very good at managing their own bathing schedules!!  |
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Post by malteser60 on Dec 30, 2011 21:13:14 GMT
Unless it's not practical dust baths should be kept in the cage all the time. I'm afraid P@H have told you wrong. Degus skin will NOT dry out if the dust bath is kept in the cage all the time. And degus are very good at regulating their dust baths. With regards treats, yes you are right that treats need to be monitored. But if a degu is not eating then any food, be it treats or not, is better than nothing. Degus, like any rodent, will go rapidly downhill if they don't eat. If they do eat a bit then they have a fighting chance. Now. If you say his teeth are OK, do you mean they're yellow? If yes, great! Yellow teeth=strong, healthy. White teeth=weak, unhealthy. With teeth there is more than just the colour. Degus teeth may become overgrown, break off, maloclussion, or develop tumours at the root of the tooth causing sinus problems and ultimately bloating. Because your degus are from Pets At Home, you should go to their shop and they will contact their vet. (That's what they do in Milton Keynes.) I'm a bit confused here, it doesn't matter where the degus come from you need to find a good vet. Not all P@H offer a vet service to the public. Please be careful with what P@H say as it is not always good information. kiwikie - I am so glad to hear that your degu is doing well. I keep on reading about these unexplained instances where a degu seems to be really ill, only to suddenly perk up again for no reason whatsover. If that happens to one of my girls I swear I'll just freak out!  |
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