questions regarding male neutering

[ra]

kathandadam
New member


Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 3
Neutering Male Degus. Safe? Pricey?
« Thread Started on Today at 7:43 »

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Hi

We are looking at getting our little boy, Scratchy, neutered. He has just lost his brother and we thought he'd appreciate female company - but without the pups!

Has anyone had their male neutered?
How much, approximately, does it cost?
Is it a safe, easy procedure? (Apart from the risk of anaesthetic, naturally.)
Can anyone recommend a vets in the West Midlands?

Many thanks for all of your help.
Kath and Adam

[roz]

I had one of my boys neutered a few months ago, as he hit puberty and started fighting his brothers. My vet contacted the zoo first, as they had never neutered a degu before. The operation went well, but afterward there were problems with dehydration and he had to go back and have fluid injected just beneath his skin as he wasn't drinking. I'm happy to say that he made a full recovery.

I am planning on having Rasgado neutered also, so that he can re-join the clan as well, and the same vet will be doing the op, but this time he will know the pit-falls.

Very few vets have even seen a degu, never-mind neutered one, so it is unlikely that you will find one experienced in neutering degus in your area. I'm certain that my vet would be happy to share his new-found knowledge and experience with your vet (when you find one). If you want to email me contact details [e-mail] I'll pass them on to Alex (my degu vet).

As far as cost goes, I'm afraid it's not cheap. It costs about the same as a cat, which in Dorset means around £40 to £50. Then you have to wait for 4-6 weeks for the hormones/sperm etc to leave the body before they can safely be with a female.

My first neutered degu, SKP (my little escapee!) is very placid and now spends the bulk of his time eating, drinking and sleeping - a true and typical male ;D ;D