Orphans :(

[xcsx]

So as you may know I had 2 pregnant degus, Cookie and Pebbles. Cookie gave birth to a litter of four about 4 days ago and we were keenly awaiting Pebbles' litter. Unfortunately Pebbles was discovered dead this morning. She had delivered a litter of five, and it seems none were left in her belly - it looks like cause of death was something to do with the afterbirth as this was still hanging out of her Has anyone heard of this or know any more? I am still in shock as to why she died.

Cookie seems to have taken the 5 new youngsters under her wing. She is huddling and feeding all 9 in their nest. This is a very good thing as far as I'm concerned as I wouldn't have a clue as to how to hand rear baby degus! My question is this - Will she cope? She is seperated from the male until he is neutered so she does not fall pregnant again, and with her cagemate passed away, she is all on her own huddling and nursing the 9 pups, as well as feeding herself and keeping guard of the nest/protecting the pups etc. I'm so proud of her for taking them all on, and I have weighed them all, the newborns all an average healthy 15g. I cant think of anything more I can do for her. I was thinking of offering a treat with some sugar in either once a day or once a week to keep her strength up, what do you guys think? I'm so worried!!

Thanks in advance for replies!

[deguconvert]

I am so VERY sorry for your loss. What a terrible shock to find her as you did this morning. You must feel terrible.

Good thing for you and the five new babies that Cookie is there with new ones herself. I hope she is able to handle them all. I don't think I would be giving her sugar. Goos are unable to process it, so it would actually act like a poison in her body and possibly increase her bodies struggles to maintain herself and the babies. I think I would be inclined to be giving her herbs like mint, and parsley, as well as a daily portion of sunflower seeds. The fat that is in the seeds will be needed by her body to produce milk and such. If you were to give her say 3-5 a day, that should be very helpful to her. She will need the calories!

Since she is four days past the birth of her litter, I would be leaning towards putting daddy goo back in with her for the help that he can give her. (Personally speaking that is.) She has such a huge job on her hands, and probably really needs his support.

Once again, I am really sorry about Pebbles. Poor, poor little sweetheart!

[buzz]

How awful. It could be anything, perhaps she couldn't pass the afterbirth or perhaps she just didn't have anymore strength left. Quite a few first time mothers don't make it I'm afraid, but so far every one else on this forum has been lucky. At least Cookie is going to be a good mum.

Well agree with everything deguconvert said... she shouldn't have sugar. She'll cope but the litter is massive and it depends on whether shes a laid back or overly protective mother as to how bad raising them on her own will affect her. Theres no doubt she'll be strained though so I'd put the male back with them, plus having both mum and dad benefits the pups development.

[xcsx]

Thanks guys, yeah I was thinking of something along the lines of sunflower seeds, not pure sugar! Any opinions on fruit? Half a grape a day or shall I just stick with the sunflower seeds?

Yes the daddy situation is tough. It was my instant reaction yesterday to put him in there to help out, because if she does get pregnant again it wouldn't be the end of the world, and she needs help from him. However I decided against it because he has been seperated for 2 or 3 weeks now and as I believe he is a first time dad I didnt know how he would react to the pups... I'd never forgive myself if I put him in to help and he ended up killing half of them!!! I know goo's aren't particularly like that and especially him as he's very sweet and I think he is desperate to be with his girlfriend again. Does anyone have some knowlege/experience on this and how dad is likely to react to the new babies?

Thanks for your replies

[phe]

i just wanted to say sorry for your loss its a very upsetting story, are you ok?
i dont kno anything about breeding or male degus but i cant see the harm in giving cookie the odd raisin, grape(never new degus like them, mine dont :s),, walnut not even just to keep her strength but as a treat/reward as shes been so brave and good with the new pups. i feel for her as she wont even have time to greive for her friend give her lots of hugs and kisses from me

xxxx xxx xx

[xcsx]

Thanks I'm ok thanks, it's still a bit of a shock and I do feel it is my fault because I think she might have been ok if someone had just seen and pulled the afterbirth out or something I have a lot of fond memories of Pebbles, especially how she was always the over protective one, while Cookie would run away if too many people came to the cage, Pebbles would be protecting them both and would stand up and squeak loudly at us! But Cookie is being such a trooper. So proud of her I don't think she is that fussed about guarding the nest, obviously when I took the babies out to count them she was running around craiizily! But it seems Pebbles' role was the guard degu and now she's gone Cookie isn't fussed about stepping up to that role

[phe]

aawww its so sad, but you cant blame yourself no one knows when degus are going to give birth!
none of it is your fault, its just nature, i know its horrible but things like this happen and there is nothing anyone can do try not to think like that

well im sure once the babies grow up one of them will take after its mother and become the protector or perhaps cookie just needs time to adjust a bit!

xxx xxx xx

[deguconvert]

Avoid the fruit. Degus don't have ANY method of dealing with sugars of any kind in their diets. So even the sugar from fruit will be dangerous to them. Raisins and grapes have among the highest amounts of natual sugars, so those really must be avoided! Sunflower seeds, fresh herbs, rose hips, those things will be good for her. It wouldn't hurt to get her some vitamins that you can sprinkle on her food, or put in her water, as well.

As for dad? I would give him a try. Male degus are known for being extremely good with their young. The longer you wait, the harder it will be, so sooner is much better. He will be a great help to Cookie, if only by keeping the babies in line while she gets food and drink, and maybe a stretch or two. He will be much happier as well.

[buzz]

How is Cookie coping xcsx? Did you put Clyde back with her?

[xcsx]

Hi. Everything is fine thanks. I put Chase back in with Cookie yesterday. At first he didn't seem interested in her or the babies, he was just sniffing around exploring the cage. But Ieft them for 10 minutes and when I came back he was stood on top of one of the nest boxes by the door and started squeaking at me! I think he was telling me off for getting too near his babies. Very proud of him

I checked regularly and towards the end of the day he and Cookie were both sitting on top of the babies keeping them warm. I'm very happy it's gone so well! Cookie seems more relaxed for having him in there. I gave them both loads of broccoli for being brave

The babies are all still very healthy. Have been weighing them, all are gaining a good amount of weight. The older ones are a week old now, and apart from needing a feed from mum every now and then, they pretty much do their own thing! Took more pics yesterday, will put them up later

[buzz]

Sorry Chase not Clyde

Things are going well then, thats great news.

Can't wait for those pics

[phe]

aaawwww glad things are going well with them
xxx xxx

[Lala]

Awww I'm so sorry for your loss *huggles* poor little babies!! I'm glad too hear Auntie Cookie has taken them in and all seems too be going well! In the wild degus do communal nest so the work would have been shared between Cookie and Pebbles with the pups anyways and of course dad would help

Aww bless chase proud of his babies so he should be! Little darlings