|
Post by alisha9099 on Mar 29, 2007 16:55:41 GMT
Can Degus have premature babies? This is my thinking...I recieved a pregnant degu and was told she was about two months pregnant. They did not know how to care for degus and were mistreating them (feeding them cheetos) I brought her home and stuck her in a nice cage...within two days she had babies! Im thinking the stress from moving may have caused the birth. They do not have hair, they still have not opened there eyes (its been two days), they cannot walk at all and they make no noise. Four babies were alive, I found one dead in the cage when I cleaned up after the birth. The mother leaves two of them away from her and does not seem to be feeding any of them...They can not eat any food as they have no teeth...what do I do? Is this normal....Im fairly new to Degus and deffently new to degu babies!
|
|
|
Post by alisha9099 on Mar 29, 2007 17:19:08 GMT
Were down to 3 babies The tummies are soo sunken in I dont know what to do!
|
|
|
Post by ilovemydegus on Mar 29, 2007 18:01:31 GMT
This is so sad I really don't know what to say that can help you sorry. Please can you private email me.
|
|
|
Post by degumaus on Mar 29, 2007 18:06:33 GMT
Oh, this is very sad When the babies don´t have hair then I think they were born too early. I don´t know if there´s a chance for them. I don´t have experience with this, sorry.
|
|
|
Post by pinkpiglet on Mar 29, 2007 18:26:16 GMT
I'm so sorry. The poor little things.
|
|
|
Post by alisha9099 on Mar 29, 2007 18:43:52 GMT
I have put them on a heating pad...the momma was not keeping them warm...I am also bottle feeding them milk that I was told to get by a vet...well see how it goes Finger crossed
|
|
|
Post by ilovemydegus on Mar 29, 2007 18:50:26 GMT
good luck hun, im sure you know but make sure the heat pad isnt too hot for them i really do hope this will be a success in the end x
|
|
gooey
Burrowing Degu
Posts: 174
|
Post by gooey on Mar 30, 2007 1:42:02 GMT
oh how sad! i hope what you are trying works. good luck and keep us posted
|
|
|
Post by alisha9099 on Mar 30, 2007 2:08:34 GMT
i have lost another babie but they were the two that I was not sure if they were going to make it in the begining...The two that are left are fairly livley...They squirm around...The heating pad is not to warm...Im keeping the cage about 80F degrees as the vet recommended...There bellys are finally filled...they are not sunken it like they have been :-) Which is a good first step...They dont each very much but they are actually eating and begining to suck on the bottle...Its going to be some long nights but if it works it will be worth it...momma wont even keep them warm...She is not producing milk right now...does any one know if she will start producing milk?
|
|
|
Post by alisha9099 on Mar 30, 2007 15:03:55 GMT
The two babies mad it through the night :-) Hopefully they will keep making it...They are fairly strong right now rolling around and making squeeks...Hopefully they will be okay! Its going to be a long road though! Im praying for them
|
|
sarah
Burrowing Degu
Posts: 182
|
Post by sarah on Mar 30, 2007 21:03:06 GMT
Alisha, you're doing great! I'll be thinking about you all weekend and hoping that the babies make it through the next few days.
|
|
|
Post by alisha9099 on Mar 31, 2007 12:21:00 GMT
Babies made it through the night again. ;D We have made it to day 4! They are trying to learn to walk, but there heads are soo heavy they fall over. Its soo cute. I got up with them every hour to hour and a half last night. Im still worried im not feeding them enough but I can only give them what they will take!
|
|
laurieb
Burrowing Degu
Love My Goos!
Posts: 175
|
Post by laurieb on Mar 31, 2007 13:09:51 GMT
What a dedicated mom. I hope they will be ok. It's so sad when their own mom wasn't ready for them. They're soo lucky to have you!
|
|
sarah
Burrowing Degu
Posts: 182
|
Post by sarah on Mar 31, 2007 18:53:09 GMT
Alisha, thanks for the update! I was thinking about you and the babies last night and this morning. You're doing a fantastic job!
Sarah
|
|
|
Post by alisha9099 on Apr 2, 2007 1:39:41 GMT
Unfortunetly, I lost one this morning. Everything was fine last night when I went to bed. I got up to feed them at one, and one of the little ones wouldnt eat...and it wouldnt eat at 5 or 8 or 11 and it was dead by noon ( I took them to work with me to keep them feed I had a 9 hour shift) ...I don't know what went wrong...I still have one...and it seems to be doing okay...sqeuueking and rolling around and such...I hope it makes it...I feel bad that I couldnt save all of them =( At least there is still one and im doing the best I can
|
|
|
Post by degumaus on Apr 2, 2007 12:18:55 GMT
I´m sure, you´re doing your best. I hope the last one makes is.
|
|
|
Post by ra on Apr 2, 2007 19:35:31 GMT
I fear you are fighting a losing battle. The babies were definitely premature born with no hair and their eyes not open. They would not have lived this long without your intervention. Degu babies are born fully developed (save for their ability to thermoregulate body temperature which develops about a week later) with a full coat of hair and their eyes open. It's sad and very hard on you. I am sorry - you are trying so hard. Even if the remaining pup lives, it may have a number of on- going health problems since the mother did not have proper nutrition etc.
|
|
|
Post by alisha9099 on Apr 4, 2007 15:26:57 GMT
I know it may be a losing battle but I can't just give up I have to continue to try...I could not live with myself if I did not try...the last baby is still alive, walking and is opening its eyes-its progress... I would rather take the chance and have it live...if it fails at least I tried my best!
|
|
|
Post by ra on Apr 4, 2007 18:47:56 GMT
Oh I agree. I couldn't stand by and not try either. Is the baby developing any hair covering yet?
|
|
|
Post by alisha9099 on Apr 5, 2007 17:31:24 GMT
Yes the baby has a lot more hair then to begin with...but stil not fully haired it is making progress...I just hope it continues to do so!
|
|