Degu diabetes

RE: Degu diabetes

Roland Bulkyn-Rackowe — Thu, 24 Oct 2019 13:16:35 GMT

Hi, thanks Marie, it seems as if the new batch of hay has some fragments of apple and carrot in there so that's likely the answer. Thanks again,

Ro.

RE: Degu diabetes

Marie Kubiak — Thu, 24 Oct 2019 12:53:49 GMT

Is there any chance diet is being interfered with by any family members, or 'occasional' treats they haven't considered as it would be rare to get an overweight animal on hay alone? If diet is appropriate then pancreatic pathology may be responsible for true insulin disruption. Cytomegalovirus or amyloidosis are recognised as rare but possible factors but treatment of primary cause in affected degus is not possible. Insulin dose (based on chinchilla) suggested is 1 IU caninsulin sc q24hrs to treat the resulting insulin deficiency but I have no personal experience of using this I'm afraid.

Marie

RE: Degu diabetes

Roland Bulkyn-Rackowe — Thu, 24 Oct 2019 12:16:16 GMT

Thanks for the reply. I have discussed diet with them previously and thought these were only on a timothy rich hay. She's overweight (265g) but quiet in herself, losing weight and ketotic.

RE: Degu diabetes

Marie Kubiak — Thu, 24 Oct 2019 11:13:55 GMT

It is typically transient hyperglycaemia due to diet rather than true diabetes mellitus. Cutting out all high carbohydrate foods (including grain and root veg) and feeding a degu pellet, ad lib hay plus greens is usually all that is needed but cataracts develop rapidly and will remain in the majority of cases.

Marie