Can neutering fail?

[blossombrooks]

Hi everyone,

I'm looking for some reassurance/advice. So I adopted our boy Dougal in October and it took until Christmas before I could integrate him with my girls. Since then Dougal has very much ummm 'enjoyed' Daisy's company in particular! Dougal was neutered a few weeks before adoption and we were advised to keep them separate until mid November which we obviously did.
What bothers me is how daisy seems to be filling out rather quickly! It could be due to the fact that she no longer goes crazy when in heat but considering what a tiny little miss she's always been I'm struggling to believe it's made this much difference.
Does anyone know if neutering is 100% effective? As cute as babies would be I really hope she isn't!

[deguconvert]

Hmmm!! Well, that is a good question. I would assume that if the neutering involved the usual method of removing the testes that there shouldn't be can rate of failure. However, if all that was performed were a vasectomy, then I would think there would be a potential for failure alright. Do you know for a certainty that he was completely neutered, as in testes removed? Do you know where the poceedure was performed, so that you could phone them and request confirmation of the surgery? I guess you could always take him to your vet and have him checked to see if that particular equipment is missing . . . . If you can confirm this, then Daisy is just finally putting on some extra weight. I wonder if this could also be a state of false pregnancy?

[blossombrooks]

I have his info sheet from the in house vet at the adoption centre which does state castrate so I assume it means all gone but I think I'll give them a quick ring just to be sure! It would be nice to see her looking a normal size if that's all it is but she seems, I dont know how to describe it, bulgy?! Is false pregnancy possible?

[Ady]

Hi, I don't think they would perform vasectomy on him, it's more expensive than castration and it takes longer so the risk is higher as needs anesthesia for longer. Also I think with vasectomy, there is after op test performed to check if vasectomy was successful.
My goo gain weight this winter as well and I was advised that some degus gain weight for winter and loose it again in spring time.

[deguconvert]

False pregnancy is something that can happen with some animals, but I am unclear if it has been recorded in degus. There have been instances reported on the forum, where females seemed to gain a large amount of weight over a 6-8 week time period, looking very much like they could be pregnant . . . but no babies showed, and then they just seemed to even out in body proportion. It could be the winter weight gain that Ady refers to, but in an extreme measure, or perhaps winter weight combined with hormonal changes, that all right themselves with the advent of spring . . . I don't know. At this point, I don't think it is anything to cause alarm over though. Just kind of keep an eye on her, and should you notice other changes, let us know and/or take her to your vet for a quick check up. It is my thought that she is just finally enjoying a body that is regulating itself much better with the presence and help of Dougal . . . and his special attentions.

[fred]

Could you weigh her regularly over the next two weeks? I only have this direct experience with one of my girls, but when she got into the “winter weight and costume” mode, it looked as if she had gained much more weight than she actually had.

[19Uhr30]

I have a hard time imagining how removing the testicles could not be 100% effective. Sperm that is already within the vessels that carry them away from the testicles can survive there for a few weeks. That is why you were advised to keep them seperate for that time.
The winter time weight gain seems to be the more likely reason. Especially since I have heard from several people that their degus have gained much more weight this year then usual. Although my degus have started loosing weight again by now (as the days get longer) your's might just be a bit late for that.
Another factor for weight is the rank. Degus that are higher in rank tend to gain some weight. And because there is a new degu in your group ranks could have changed or just become more important to them at the moment.

[blossombrooks]

I've had confirmation from the rescue centre (they really are brilliant!) Dougal definitely had a full castrate so there's no chance of pregnancy. This is our second winter together and whilst I didn't see a large weight gain last year perhaps with our winter being late this year the goo's (or daisy at least) are following suit. Pepper is my top Degu but daisy enjoyed a short stint at the top a few weeks ago, I guess also she could be bulking up for another try! I'm sorry to say I'm relieved it's not babies, they're super cute and lovely but now is not the time!