Baby question

[shadowdancer60]

As I posted in the Welcome section, we have been blessed with a litter of 9 pups on 5/28/07. All look to be healthy and thriving. However, we are concerned with one of the pups. It looks as if a large bite had been taken out of the right side of its face. Whether by accident while the mother was cleaning it, or from another degu, or a birth defect is unknown. When I found it, there was no blood coming from the wound, and, though I'm sure the little one was in pain, it wasn't pawing at the site. Knowing that the mothers know best, we left it in with the rest of the litter, hopiing for the best...We weren't sure how much this wound would affect the baby's nursing abilities.

Upon getting up this afternoon (I work nights), I did a nest check. Again, mom just calmly walked away from the nest and went to get a bite to eat while looked in. I was able to get a head count and watch as the babies waddled around without having to intrude into the nest. The wounded bub was still very active, and was tussling with a sib.

We were wondering if there is a way of telling how much milk a baby was getting? ( With mice and rats, the young show a milk band in their tummies, but, as we found, degu pups are too dark to start with)

Are we doing the right thing leaving this pup in with the rest? We understand degus need other degus, and, especially a newborn needs its mother.

[laurieb]

I would let nature take it's course, and let it be with it's family. We just had 2 litters and thank goodness all went well, so I do know how hard this would be. He may have a defect, since there was no blood. If he wasn't meant to be here, he will pass. It is very difficult to feed the pups yourself, because they are so tiny, but it can be done.
Personally, I wouldn't take him away from mom.
Laurie

[shadowdancer60]

Good news...The little one is still with us...and just as rambunctious as the rest of the pack. Funny watching them run around from adult to adult, on shaky legs, looking for mom.