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Post by s_degu_2015 on Jul 15, 2015 7:01:40 GMT
hello,
Back in March I adopted a 3 year old male degu to accompany my 1 year old male who suffered a tragic loss when his brother died by taking a bad fall. I was concerned I
he would become lonely so started introducing the adopted degu. They bonded instantly and starting living together end of April/beginning of May. About 5 weeks after this I found out the adopted degu was actually female! I got the male neutered immediately. Over the last week I have noticed the female has put on weight around the abdomen, she doesn't like to be picked up where as usually she likes nothing more then attention and a cuddle, she has been spending a lot of time laying down and laying in the nest box. She weighs 300g but unfortunately don't know what weight she was previously. I have added a picture of her body shape as I have read about pregnant degus being a pear shapes, and it has also been mentioned on here too but as have been experienced this before im not sure. I would be very grateful is anyone could help? Do you think shes pregnant or just overweight?
Thank you in advance for your help. |
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Post by krazypara3165 on Jul 15, 2015 8:09:50 GMT
Its highly probable if she was with a male for 5 weeks. Towards the end of pregnancy they do seem to go pear shaped (literally!) too.
Looking at the time frame from when they were introduced its likely you'll find out anyway in a few weeks!
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Post by yasmin on Jul 15, 2015 15:05:44 GMT
The gestation period for degus is 3 months. The fact that she is spending alot of time in the nest box may indicate that she is pregnant. You will know for certain some time by September. They become extremely fat a week or so before giving birth. I'd say at 300g she is likely not there yet (assuming she was not originally a tiny goo). Might be able to tell when you send a picture of her. I have gone through this when I adopted 4 "female" degus, finding out too late that they were actually 3 females and 1 male. All three females had become pregnant by the time I removed the male. One female miscarried in August of that year, the second gave birth in September and the third gave birth in October.  I didn't know this back then but It is better not to handle a pregnant degu because that could cause a miscarriage and a miscarriage could be dangerous for the mother. It is good that the male has been neutered – that way, he can stay in the cage and help raise the babies. Degu males make great fathers. Please keep us posted. (What are their names?) |
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Post by deguconvert on Jul 15, 2015 17:41:56 GMT
I agree, she is likely pregnant. I, too, am glad the male is now neutered, that will make things so much nicer for everyone. You should probably be considering what to do with your pups now, so that you can be prepared when they come and when it is time to separate the genders and rehome.
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Post by s_degu_2015 on Jul 15, 2015 19:57:03 GMT
Thank you for your help... I have now uploaded a picture so hopefully that might help tell a bit more. The males name is Chewie and female is Dingo. I guess all I can do for now is keep an eye out for any more chances or signs and see what the next few weeks bring.
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Post by yasmin on Jul 15, 2015 21:37:19 GMT
Hmmm, kinda does look like Dingo is very pregnant. Probably the next sign/change you will see are babies. What kind of a cage are they in – how big is the spacing between the bars? Degu babies start wandering around soon after birth with fur and open eyes.
Tip: Organic rolled oats are a nutritional treat for a nursing mother – try to have a bag of these on hand for when the time comes.
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Post by yasmin on Jul 15, 2015 21:40:48 GMT
Also, Welcome to the forum sonny1928! And a warm welcome to Dingo and Chewie as well. |
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Post by s_degu_2015 on Jul 16, 2015 6:41:19 GMT
Thank you, I had a feeling that would be the case. They are in a big tank aquarium with a bar cage topper on top but the top bit can be closed off - think I might do that in preparation don't want the babies escaping. Yeah I read about them being fully developed when born... Amazing really. Thanks for the tip I will defiantly get some organic oats.
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Post by s_degu_2015 on Jul 17, 2015 19:18:49 GMT
Weighed Dingo today, she now weighs about 380g!!!  |
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Post by jamiee on Jul 17, 2015 20:42:13 GMT
I think the time is nearing fast! Well done for preparing for the escape artist babies. Well done for getting dad neutered too; degus are also great dads and I'm glad that Chewie can stay with his babies. Good luck!
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Post by s_degu_2015 on Jul 27, 2015 9:45:35 GMT
Updated picture of Dingo 27.07.2015 She continues to get bigger and bigger!!!! Attachment Deleted |
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Post by Bexi87 on Jul 27, 2015 11:43:02 GMT
Aww bless her! Look at that chubby little face! She's gorgeous
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Post by moletteuk on Jul 27, 2015 12:47:48 GMT
Has she slowed down? built a nest?
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Post by s_degu_2015 on Jul 27, 2015 17:52:46 GMT
She has been laying around loads recently and I have noticed she is build a nest underneath the house. Earlier on today we noticed the babies moving around inside her.... it really was very cute!
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Post by s_degu_2015 on Jul 27, 2015 17:53:38 GMT
Aww bless her! Look at that chubby little face! She's gorgeous Thank you |
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I didn't know this back then but It is better not to handle a pregnant degu because that could cause a miscarriage and a miscarriage could be dangerous for the mother.
