New goo babies w/o mom..need help PLEASE

[racingchick]

8 hours ago 5 new goo babies where born but mom passed away after birth. Any suggestions or ideas to help us care for the babies. We put daddy in a different cage should we put him back with the babies? We are using Milk Replacement(Nutri-Vet)used on kittens, and an eye dropper , we are also trying to keep them warm. How often do we need to feed them?
***JUST ANY HELP WOULD BE GREAT

[emz]

I have read that degu pups need to hear sounds from their mother as it encourages some of their mental development - and dad degus are usually very good with looking after their young. I'd say put him back to help take care of them and keep them warm. I think a pup can get cold extremely quickly without the warmth of its mother.

Hopefully some other people who have had pups themselves will also offer input. I wish your pups all the best.

-Emma.

[racingchick]

Thanks Emz...God bless

[deguconvert]

They need to be fed every two hours, any longer between feedings and they won't be getting the nourishment they need. It needs to be very regular for the next two weeks, after that there can be a longer period between feeds, but I'm not sure how long. It would be helpful to ask a vet I think.

[deguconvert]

Let me add, I am so sorry that you have lost the momma. That must be very distressing for you, and certainly a distress of great proportions for the pups and daddy goo. My thoughts are with you.

[DegutasticJen]

Im so sorry about the mummy goo :-(.

I would definately put the dad back in with them, just as Emz said above. I found that when I had baby goos, the dads are very good. He will look after them and definately keep them warm as they do get cold very quickly.

As regards the milk and the feeds I wouldnt know what to suggest as the mum fed them, All I know is when the mum was very tired and needed to rest the dad was always there looking after them.
I hope everything works out for the best.

[racingchick]

The Goo babies have made it through the night, but it seems really hard to keep them all together so they stay warm. There is one that keeps on wondering off and the dad will not bring it back, so it has gotten very cold. Should i just keep watching it and putting it back with the others? Or what should i do???

[iamlina]

I don't know anything about this type of thing, but my mam has a chew proof hot water bottle for the rabbits in the winter...something like that may keep them a little bit warmer.
Something like this -
www.amazinghealth.co.uk/snugglesafe-heatpad.htm
You can get them from a lot of pet stores!

Sorry I can't be of more help!

Lina x

[emz]

I'd say try and keep the wandering baby with the others, if you're handling them already to feed them then picking the little baby up to move him shouldn't be a problem. Nothing wrong with them exploring a little of course it is natural that within a few hours they wander about and I think they can even eat solid food (but still need the milk) but he needs to keep warm as I don't think they can produce their own heat for a while.

[DegutasticJen]

After a few hours of my pups being born, they were wandering around and I was scared stiff, But they do go back when they are starting to turn cold, However I would watch them, because as you know if they are away too long then they will start to get cold.

Emz is right they do start nibbling on solid food after about a day, but they still need the milk.

Dad should keep them warm, So as long as they are all huddled together most of the time, they should be fine, as a few days go on you will find them trying to escape from the nest and wander around a lot more. The first few days are the most precious.

I Hope everything is going well with the feedings, did they take to the milk ok?

[deguconvert]

Try grabbing a couple or more old socks, fill them with rice, tie a knot in the end, and then you can warm them up in the microwave. You will have to experiement a bit to get it just warm and not too hot, and then you can put them in the cage with the babies to help them stay warm. Then warm them up again and again as needed. These work much better than hot water bottles, and keep the heat more even and longer.

[canthavedamango]

I'm so sorry you lost Momma. My thoughts are with you and your situation. I sadly don't have advice but wanted to wish you luck too.

[racingchick]

Thank you all for your help. It is really cool to see so many concerned. Its been 3 days and finally have the chance to update. We got a heating pad used for reptiles and stuck it to the underside of the tank. Seems to be working. We lost three of the pups at the 30 hour mark. As of today the remaining two seem to be healthy, taking to the kitten formula well. They sleep almost non-stop but are always very warm at feeding with no signs of weakness. "Big" daddy goo is definetly "emotional" as his attitude/personality has changed. But still seems as all of you said...Taking care of his babies. Thanks again for all the support and we will keep you updated.

[emz]

I am so sorry to hear of your loss of some of your pups but I am glad 2 have survived so well without their mother. Them surviving is indeed a little miracle.

[racingchick]

Just an update for those that might be curious. It has been two weeks since our birth and what a rollacoaster ride it has been. We lost one of the last two five days ago. We think it was constapated and we could not find a way to help him soon enuf. The last one "ZZ" had what appeared to be a "stroke" last Thursday. At feeding time we found it lifeless and breaths few and far in between. My mother rubbed his chest...talked to him and we all prayed. About 4 hours of this and the little thing woke up and all but a bit wobbely and his eyes closed seemed to be okay. Its eating was not so good and we thought it was just a matter of time. The good Lord was smiling on us and after fighting a cold for a few days it has opened its eyes and got back its personality. Its eating and playing like a "child" should do. We don't know what caused its episode, maybe a diabetic coma of sorts. Dad says it was just like me when i went into my diabetic coma. So we are watching what food we put in closer and have found numerous peanuts. Don't know...Just very glad that its still with us. It has been very tough for our whole family and all of you that have given us support has helped alot...Thank you. We will be in touch.

[DegutasticJen]

Oh im sorry about the one you lost :-(, and the lord was definately shining down with your other one which has been poorly, thats brilliant news, not heard of that sort of thing before but thank god its ok :-)

[deguconvert]

Praise God! I'm so glad that the last little one has turned the corner, by God's mercies. I pray he will grow stronger and stronger, to live a very full and long life. I'm sure this has been very hard on your family. I truly wondered how it would go, and expected it would be very difficult. God continue to be with you, little ZZ, and all your family!

[canthavedamango]

Its great to hear ZZ is sticking in there! My thoughts are with your family and degus. Talk about a rollercoaster ride for sure!