{"id":4160,"date":"2014-09-30T21:31:59","date_gmt":"2014-09-30T21:31:59","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/lafeber.com\/staging\/vet\/?p=4160"},"modified":"2019-02-05T22:54:22","modified_gmt":"2019-02-06T04:54:22","slug":"basic-information-for-degus","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lafeber.com\/vet\/basic-information-for-degus\/","title":{"rendered":"Basic Information Sheet: Degu"},"content":{"rendered":"

Degu (Octodon degus<\/em>)<\/h1>\n

\"degu\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

Natural history<\/h2>\n

<\/div>
\n


\nDegus, also known as brush-tailed or trumpet-tailed rats, are natives of central Chilean open scrubland where they are routinely exposed to droughts. Degus survive on very poor diets in the wild.
\n<\/div>
<\/div>
\n
<\/p>\n

Taxonomy<\/h2>\n

<\/div>
\n


\nClass<\/strong>: Mammalia<\/em><\/p>\n

Order<\/strong>: Rodentia<\/em><\/p>\n

Suborder<\/strong>: Hystricomorpha<\/em><\/p>\n

Family<\/strong>: Octodontidae<\/em><\/p>\n

<\/div>

<\/div><\/p>\n
\n

Diet<\/h2>\n

<\/div>
\n


\nWild degus feed on grasses, seeds, cactus fruits, tubers, and local crops. The captive diet should consist of rodent chow low in sugar (devoid of cane molasses) such as guinea pig or chinchilla pellets supplemented with green vegetables, and free-choice grass hay<\/a>. Avoid fresh fruit and other sugar-rich foods such as corn, peas, and potatoes. Degus normally drink very little water.
\n<\/div>
<\/div>
\n
<\/p>\n

Husbandry<\/h2>\n

<\/div>
\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
Cage furniture\/Enrichment:<\/td>\nDegus are very active. Provide a wheel, PCV tubing for burrowing, and a hide box. Provide small Nylabones, paper towel rolls, and pine cones for chewing. Hang small, sturdy branches across the cage for climbing and chewing. Also provide ladders and ramps for climbing. Provide a dust bath at least twice a week.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Numbers:<\/td>\nDegus are social animals that may be housed in same sex pairs. Singly housed individuals may develop stereotypies, depression, or barbering without a lot of owner attention.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Temperature:<\/td>\nDegus easily succumb to heat stress at temperatures > 86 F.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

<\/div>

<\/div>
\n
<\/p>\n

Normal physiologic values<\/h2>\n

<\/div>
\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Temperature<\/td>\n100.9 F<\/td>\n38.3<\/span>\u00b0<\/strong><\/span><\/span>C<\/span><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Body weight<\/td>\nAdult male<\/td>\n275 g<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\nAdult female<\/td>\n250 g<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Mean life span<\/td>\n5-9 years<\/td>\n(Should live 8+ years)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Sexual maturity<\/td>\n75 days<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Gestation<\/td>\n87-93 days<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Litter size<\/td>\n3-11 (5-6)<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Weaning age<\/td>\n4-6 weeks<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

<\/div>

<\/div>
\n
<\/p>\n

Anatomy \/ physiology<\/h2>\n

<\/div>
\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
Dental formula<\/a> Gastrointestinal<\/p>\n

 <\/td>\n

I (1\/1) C (0\/0) PM (1\/1) M (3\/3)
\nIncisors are yellow to orange in color due to iron pigments.
\nMolars are deeply enfolded giving them a “figure 8” appearance.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Urogenital<\/td>\nAs in chinchillas, the vaginal is normally closed with a thin membrane. Both sexes have a cone appendage or genital papilla used for urination. In females, the distance between the anus and urethral cone is very short.
\nThe testicles are intra-abdominal.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Special Senses<\/td>\nDegus possess a good sense of sight, hearing, and smell.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

<\/div>

<\/div>
\n
<\/p>\n

Restraint<\/h2>\n

<\/div>
\n


\nMost degus can be easily handled by encircling the middle with one hand and the tail base with the other. NEVER pick a degu up by the tail as they can shed their tails.<\/p>\n

<\/div>

<\/div>
\n
<\/p>\n

Preventive medicine<\/h2>\n

<\/div>
\n


\nTo minimize the risk of diabetes mellitus, avoid fruit and high-carbohydrate vegetables, and maintain a healthy body weight (no more than 250 g for females, 275 g for males).<\/p>\n

<\/div>

<\/div>
\n
<\/p>\n

Important medical conditions<\/h2>\n

<\/div>
\n

<\/p>\n