Neutering Degus

[amie]

I'm thinking about having Elijah neutered as he's not accepting any of my males, but he seems (with good reason) to like female degus

I'm don't know enough about the risks involved to do it though. I had two male rabbits neutered a few years ago by a really good vet, yet both died within a week of each other after the operation. This has completely put me off having small animals done and I'd like to know what everyone else thinks?

I don't want him to remain on his own, but I don't want to lose him either. It would be so upsetting.

If you've had your degu neutered, can you tell me a little about what to expect? I'm obviously reasearching this myself, but I'd like to hear personal experiences and opinions too.

I think he was the runt and has stayed very small compared to my other degus. Would this increase the risk?

Thanks to anyone who can help me here

[amie]

Thanks Smux

Ideally, I'd like to try to introduce him to two six week old male pups, but I can't be sure that he won't start fighting with them once they're a few months old.

I'm more than wiling to travel to an amazing vet. There is no distance too far. I don't care if it's expensive either. I wouldn't just go to ANY vets.... and I'm still not 100% that I even want to risk the operation at all.

It's a shame because he's so loving towards humans. He'll sit and have his ears, under his arms, tummy etc.... tickled for ages and he grooms me back (which is adorable). He does seem very content on his own, but surely, he shouldn't remain on his own? He's surrounded by other degus, but that can't be the same as having a close bond with another degu. He lives next door to the girls now and he sings to them everyday (I sometimes try to imagine what he's saying ).

As you can tell.... I'm very much in two minds about it.

[amie]

Haha.... he could well be saying that! I just imagine he's saying in a funny voice "Sexy time! Sexy time!" to them

The reason he rejected his old cage mates was because a humping went a little too far and they made him bleed. Poor thing. He never accpeted them again after this and he's been on his own for the last year. I have a feeling he wouldn't allow another degu to dominate him. Bad memories and all that

I do think my best bet is to have him neutered. I just have to stop being scared and accept that it's the best thing for him. Whatever the outcome. He can't remain on his own forever, and even though he enjoys my company, I don't have the time (or the desire) to live in the cage with him, lol. He needs a constant companion. I'm think some young female friends would be perfect for him.

[sara]

Hi amie,
I have the exact same issue with one of my boys-he is really loving to me but always seems to end up in the ball of death with any other degu (even his 3 brothers). I'm really in two minds about whether to get him neutered or to keep him on his own. He seems happy enough and i have him out of the cage for hours everyday but i just think he's missing out.

If you do have him neutered I'd really like to know how it goes and whether he's more accepting of other degus after the op.

[deguconvert]

Just to let you know . . . it will take a good 3-4 weeks following the surgery for all testosterone related aggression to be gone. The reason for that is it takes at least that long for the body to burn of any residual testerone that in stored in the body. By the 4 week mark, you should be able to see who he will be from that point on. That is when it is best to restart introductions with the other degus.