|
| Author |
Message |
ungreat
Baby Degu
User is Offline
Joined: 01 Aug 2008
Posts: 5
Karma: 0
applaud / smite
Location: Cambridgeshire,UK
|
| Posted: Fri Aug 01, 2008 2:36 pm Post subject: Our two boys.....not so! |
|
|
Hi
We had our two degus 6 months ago and were assured at the pet shop that they were boys
Monday evening just gone,Taras gave birth to 3 babies! One was stillborn,but the other two are fine.
As we were not expecting this,we are unsure as of what to do now.We dont want to separate Taras and Dodger as I understand they pair for life and pine for their mate,but we really dont want to be having litter after litter of babies.
We have been told male degus can be neutered but its risky.Does anyone have any advice they could give me?
The pet shop have been pretty good,even offering to take the babies once they are weaned fully and also offering to pay for Dodger to be neutered,so I cant really complain there.
PS..Degu babies are really cute! Plus watching them interract with their parents is fun
Any advice very welcome! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
internet_nobody
Baby Degu
User is Offline
Joined: 23 Dec 2007
Posts: 69
Karma: 1
applaud / smite
|
| Posted: Fri Aug 01, 2008 5:23 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Aw, what a cute surprise!
I don't know much about neutering, when I got mine from the RSPCA they suggested not to do it as they didn't know how old they were - my guess was that like with most animals its safer done younger. I'm sure someone will know more than me! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
ungreat
Baby Degu
User is Offline
Joined: 01 Aug 2008
Posts: 5
Karma: 0
applaud / smite
Location: Cambridgeshire,UK
|
| Posted: Fri Aug 01, 2008 10:38 pm Post subject: |
|
|
We may end up keeping the two babies yet,as we like Degus and can get hold of a second cage for them(we use an old cage for T & D when we clean them out,or let them run in the bathroom..it degu proofed lol) All four are currently living in their giant chinchilla cage!
Our degus even let us handle the babies,which is a surprise..guess they must trust us! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
amethystbelle
Degu Rock Owner
User is Offline
Joined: 30 Jul 2006
Posts: 852
Karma: 13
applaud / smite
Location: Nottinghamshire, UK
|
| Posted: Sun Aug 03, 2008 12:44 am Post subject: |
|
|
Firstly congrats even if it was a huge surprise 
Normally you would remove dad straight away to prevent breedback as the female comes into heat straight after giving birth but in this instance its a little late now so there is a 50/50 chance the female could be pregnant again, its highly unlikely but it is known to happen. Baby care is really simple basically for first few weeks don't handle them too much as it has been shown via research that over handling in first three weeks can cause brain malfunction in later life. Usually they say its safe after the 3 week mark. But apart from that they are pretty independent from day one and will look after themselves 
Regards Neutering i know a few people who have had it done and to me its a last resort solution asits very risky on an animal so small. You have two babies there is every chance ones a boy you could keep the males together and the females together seperately or if the babies are male get the female a female friend and introduce them (females are easy to introduce compared to males) 
_________________
 |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
ungreat
Baby Degu
User is Offline
Joined: 01 Aug 2008
Posts: 5
Karma: 0
applaud / smite
Location: Cambridgeshire,UK
|
| Posted: Sun Aug 03, 2008 10:07 am Post subject: |
|
|
Thanks for the advice! We will probably do something like that if we are lucky enough to have one of each. If not,then I am sure we can find another degu to keep either mum or dad company! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
|
|
