How To Avoid Heat Stroke In Degus?
Degus are the little, adorable, and sensitive rodents that can not bear extreme temperatures. In their wild habitat, these creatures live in burrows that have a stable temperature. The temperature in their burrows remains 24 °C so they can live peacefully. As the arrival of summer is near, these little creatures can suffer from strong heat waves. Because o climate change and the rise of high heat in different parts of the world heat stroke in degus is common which could be fatal. Mostly in their wild habitat, they live in burrows and come outside only when the temperature becomes bearable. They can’t bear high temperatures and might develop heat stroke.
5 Methods To Minimize Heat Stroke In Degus
Below are some methods that will help to eliminate the chances of heat stroke.
1. Prevent Warm Hours
Keep these little creatures cool by preventing them from taking them outside during warm hours of the day. Besides this, keeping their cage in the cooler places of the house is recommended to avoid the scorching heat of summer.
2. Close The Shutters
If the cage of these rodents is exposed to direct sunlight, it is better to keep the shutters and blinds closed. During the day, when the temperature is not bearable keep the shutters closed and leave an area open or ventilation. Regulate the temperature by placing a damp cloth on the windows. As soon as the temperature drops open up the doors and shutters as it will allow the entry of fresh air. Besides this, placing them in the fresh air net will keep them cool.
3. Ensure Hydration
Ensure your little bundle of joy is hydrated by providing them access to fresh drinking water. As these rodents can go without water for several days that doesn’t mean they don’t even need it. Sometimes, heat stroke in degus also results because of extreme temperature and dehydration. In such dry and high temperatures, these little creatures prefer food items that have moisture content.
4. Avoid Taking Them Outside
It is advised to not take them outside in extreme temperatures. Taking them outside in direct sunlight means you are inviting their death. Besides this, placing these innocent creatures in the car for a longer period could cause a heat stroke in degus. The temperature of the car rises at an unimaginable level and ultimately leads to death.
5. Cool Up The Cage
Placing a fan near their cage will ensure the entry of fresh air. Placing an ice tray near the paddles will enable the draft to carry cooler air. Besides this, a cost-effective method is to place cold towels near their cage or cooler and fresh air. Put the ice packs in their cage by wrapping them in a cloth. By leaving these ice packs and enough space or ventilation you can avoid the chances of stroke.
Essential Measures If A Degu Suffer From Heat Stroke
If these rodents suffer from heat stroke they become dehydrated, lazy, listless, and don’t eat anything.
- To avoid heat shocks, it is advised to cover them in a cool and damp cloth.
- Place them in the coolest place immediately.
- Take water at room temperature and wet down their paws.
- Allow them to drink water as much as they want to prevent dehydration.
- Provide them with fresh and moist food to fulfill their water requirements.
Wrapping Up!
With the changing environmental conditions and extreme temperatures heat stroke in degus become common. These little creatures can not bear the high temperature and become dehydrated. In their wild habitat, they prefer to live in burrows where the temperature remains in bearable range. While in captivity sudden temperature changes could cause heat stroke and if the situation gets worse it could even lead to death.
The different ways to avoid such a situation are to cool up their cage, avoid taking them outside, ensure hydration, avoid the hottest hours, and close the blinds. Besides this, it is advised to provide them with watery food, allow them to drink water, wet down their paws, and cover them in cold or damp cloth.
