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Old September 11th, 2005, 03:58 PM
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Bumble Foot

My sister has two degus. THey have a large cage (actually, it's a large parrot cage, but it's great for them because they all kinds of shelves and hiding holes they put in it).

Problem is, Dingo (their names are Ringo and Dingo) keeps getting Bumble Foot. He is getting cuts from their wheel in the cage, and it keeps getting sore and infected.

I read a bit on the net about it, and most sites suggesting getting a "solid wheel" instead of one with wrungs. She tried that, but it was too heavy they couldn't get it to go around. She tried a plastic wheel, but they were too big for it.

Anyone have any suggestions? I suggested maybe she should coat the wire wheel in latex (there is a product called Deviant Liquid Latex which you can use to coat anything, tools, clothes, skin...).

They really need something in their cage for exercise, so any ideas would be helpfull!
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Old September 11th, 2005, 10:31 PM
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They do make plastic wheels for rats. I think you could easily get a degu into one of those wheels. There are also solid plastic wheels that would work too. I know the metal ones are a pain. The solid plastic ones sizes are from mouse to ferret, so they could even run together. I know SuperPet carries them. I'm not too sure about other stores.
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Old September 11th, 2005, 10:56 PM
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Cages with wire shelves or bottoms tends to be a common cause.
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Old September 12th, 2005, 08:08 AM
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None of the pet stores near us sell solid plastic wheels (I've checked 3; PJ's, Super Pet and Pet Smart). We have only seen solid metal wheels, and the skimpy plastic ones for hamsters that have wrungs which are too small.

The cage has a solid floor and wooden shelves. The only metal is the wheel.

Hmm..Maybe Petsupplyhouse has them.
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Old September 12th, 2005, 08:12 AM
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I got a lovely 12" Purple Coated Metal Wheel at Nature for my Degus. They go a mile a minute in it and I've not had any foot problems. It was a bit pricey at $24.95 but I figured it would last their lifetime. I tried the none petselling locations but they don't seem to have much in the way of supplies for Degus.
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Old September 12th, 2005, 11:53 AM
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I know that SuperPet has them. Where are you located? You could probably order them through Hagen's website. I'm pretty sure that's where they come from.
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Old September 12th, 2005, 01:01 PM
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We had a metal one already that didn't work, and it was the only brand that pet smart sold. It was made for a ferret and too big and heavy for the degus. It was blue (dont know the brand). They tried oiling it a little, but it was still too stiff.

Is there such a think as a solid plastic one?
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Old September 12th, 2005, 01:27 PM
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Degus eat through plastic no problem. I have a hut for mine in plastic and they've eaten a third exit in it so I'm not sure Plastic would stand up to them for any length of time.
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