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Post by margehomer on Mar 16, 2010 8:11:45 GMT
we got homer an marge from a rescue and were told homer had been neutered BUT this morning went i to give them a treat an there are babies there!!!!!!!Going to ring the rescue at 9 to tell them im not very happy but in the mean time i have not idea what to do.today was there day that there cage was due to be cleaned out too please help as i just dont know what to do. should i put some toilet paper in so they can use it as a nest will need to separte homer???
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Post by margehomer on Mar 16, 2010 9:59:20 GMT
UPDATE:
the rescue has assured me that he has been neutered they are ringing tthe vets and getting back to me. the only way i think this could of happened is that they put him back in with marge when he was still fertile. Any way wait to see what the vet says.
As he has been neutered will i still need to remove him for a few days to give mum a break from him hounding her???
Also we are getting are john hopewell cage on friday would we be able to move them to that cage or is it better to wait a week before moving them?the cage they are in now isnt big enough.
Also when the babies star moving im worried they are goin to fall an hurt temselves they are on one of the top shelves. any advice of tips in making it accident proof???
Ive got some mamy things to think about not only was i new to degus i've never had babies of any animal as i have always has single sexed pairs or they have been neutered. so i'm completely lost as what to do with them??
Any help would be gratefully appriciated thanks x
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Post by deguconvert on Mar 16, 2010 15:32:38 GMT
There is definitely the concern of the pups falling. They tend to become very active quite quickly . . . within 3-4 days they will be venturing out of the nest, but some try it out even sooner. Have you read through the Basics of Babies, on this board? It has very helpful information on it. It is the post directly above this yours. If there is any way that you can put some hammocks or soft cloth that can be stretched out in stages below the nest where the babies are, that would be a good preventive approach to injury, should any pups fall. Once you have the JH cage and are transfering them over, try to set up the nest that Mum has built on the bottom of the cage. Next, find some cardboard and place it around the cage wherever you have a tier or some sort of ledge. The pups are extremely mobile and can get through the bars to go for a looksee very easily! (In fact, if you can count them to know the exact number of pups, then you can count every time you are near just to be sure no one is missing.) A few times I have read posts of pups nearly being hoovered or stepped on because they had escaped through the bars. Degus being as intensely curious as they are means the pups are boldly going where no pup has gone before!  I hate to say it, but my brain just went blank! Once I remember what else I was thinking to tell you, I'll come back. In the mean time, congratulations on you little loves. I expect that Marge was possibly pregnant before Homer was neutered. They have a 90 day gestation, which is longer than many animals their size. Still, Homer could have done the deed after surgery as well, since there could well have been residual sperm still available. I hope you will be able to enjoy the pups. They are totally sweet, and by about day 4 you can start to hold them a little. |
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Post by margehomer on Mar 16, 2010 16:04:50 GMT
what looks like has happened that marge only had her last litter 3 months ago bless her and homer got to her before he could be removed. he was neutered not long after so seems they only way it could of happened.
Ive put carboard arond the ledges as you have suggested im just thinking of ways to make some hammocks now i'm going to use some old tea towels just no sure how to attach them securely.
I was so shocked this morning when i went in to give them a treat. we've decided we'll keep any girls in the litter as we wil have the room with the new cage and the rescue have said they'll take the males back an rehome them.
Poor marge though havin two litters in 6 months! is here anything i can ive her to build her up as this will eally take it out of her havin another litter so soon
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Post by deguconvert on Mar 16, 2010 16:14:42 GMT
It won't hurt her to have some sunflower seeds every day, up to six daily. You can also give her some things like dill weed, dandelion leaves, rose hips, shredded wheat cereal, try maybe some organic unsalted, unsweetened tomato paste, and obviously lots of hay and the regular food you give . . . but a bit more than you have given. Given in moderation of course. The pups will be starting to try out some of the solid foods within a week as well, so you will see a marked increase in the amount of food that is consumed.
The tea towels sound like a good idea. Would you be able to even just use a bit of needle and thread and put in a loose stitch or three to secure them in place over/through the bars? That way you can just clip the thread when you need to remove them.
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