We have 41 + new babies with more due soon Degus here in our home that have all be rescued for one reason on another. We have now started to rehome on any that have no health issues and are in good condition. Some may have arrived with medical issues and will not be up for rehoming before they are given a clean bill of health by our very experienced vets. You will need to complete a questionnaire
and show proof that their new home is both a suitable one and is appropriate for their needs which includes meeting all their basic needs. We prefer them to go in their established groups to avoid further upheaval for them and you need to understand they will need a time to settle in to their new surroundings before they will fully trust you. We work hard with all the Degus in our care to make them friendly, confident and human friendly. Some times this will be difficult due to their past but we do not give up. We will advise of the most friendly and outgoing of them if that is what you require. This is a family home so they are all used to children of various ages and my children do hold them while closely supervised so they are also used to child contact. Any that have ongoing issues will not be rehomed unless specifically requested by yourself and you have the experience, knowledge and understanding of their ongoing needs and the costs involved. Some have rather specialist needs which require ongoing treatment and special care or cages to assist their standard of living to one that we find acceptable. I will over the next few weeks / months try to put up pictures of them individually and their name and any special needs including why they came here when they did. We are very committed and focused on all of them having the best possible life they can for the rest of their days regardless of how long that will be. Some require frequent vet visits and operations (especially dentals) as a known common issue especially if they are not given very important daily Hay and Herbs which keep their back (molar) teeth ground down and stop this from forming. The are also unable to have sugar in their diet as they have an intolerance which can lead to diabetes and cataracts if not followed very strictly. There are so many things that they can have though which are available online rather than the very limited items that are in the shops currently. Safe woods are also very important for them so they can chew on things constantly due to their ever growing front teeth. Degus are very good at hiding illness sometimes until it is too late to save them. They can be prone to respiratory infections, eye infections and other minor ailments that can escalate very quickly if not caught early. I am very lucky to have the support and mutual respect of a fantastic and very knowledgeable vets locally that quite uncommonly has 5 vets that are both qualified and very experienced to deal with these little exotic trouble makers. They are so rewarding and loads of fun to have in your life too. I could not imagine my life without them now.
