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* Sore feet, lameness, not moving around as much as normal or irregular movement.
Bumble foot: Repeated abrasion of the soles of the feet. This condition is usually caused by a degu walking on exposed wire mesh floors of cages over long periods of time. Can be aggravated by poor cage hygiene and possible link with diabetes.
Cover all exposed mesh surfaces with lino or something similar. Maintain good cage hygiene. Treat sore feet with saline solution to prevent infection. It may also be beneficial to rub affected areas with evening primrose oil or sunflower oil.
* Degu is not walking correctly, may avoid using certain areas of foot. Limping, getting caught on fabric/carpets, or possibly accidentally scratching other degus.
Nail growth: Lack of rough surfaces to wear nails down. Rear nails often grow more rapidly and wild degus encourage nail wear through digging.
Where possible, provide sand for degus to dig in or run on. Carefully trim very long nails with clippers, up to cuticle. Ask your vet to do this for you.
* Bleeding from/around nail. Toe may be swollen and infected. Avoidance of weight bearing on affected foot, limping. Avoids having area touched. Nail (s) missing.
Torn nail, Infected nail: Trauma to the nail , may become infected through poor cage hygiene. Long nails may become torn if caught on fabric/carpet.
Remove all potential sources of damage from the environment. Maintain good cage hygiene. Bathe affected toe daily in saline solution until healed. Trim long nails (see nail growth).
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