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Post by weeble257 on Jan 28, 2016 21:47:34 GMT
I posted the other day that my degu had 5 babies but now mama died! I have no clue why! What do I do? Can they be fed kitten milk?
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Post by Karma on Jan 28, 2016 21:56:31 GMT
Oh no!! I probably would use puppy milk, tiny bit lower protein than kitten. Other than that I would wait for the comments from the more experienced people, I don't know too much about babies. Just keep the babies warm as well, they will need a constant source of heat - a heat lamp probably would be the best.
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Post by bouncy on Jan 28, 2016 22:18:04 GMT
Oh no! Again, don't know much about babies, but definitely will need to keep them warm. Is dad still pining? He obviously can't feed them, but could perhaps help with the nesting?
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Post by weeble257 on Jan 29, 2016 1:00:40 GMT
I took them out of the next since Dad wasn't doing much for them and bought some kitten milk. Turnes out there were 8 babies, half have died. I feel so bad. The others don't look too great, but I will try my best.
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Post by bouncy on Jan 29, 2016 1:03:01 GMT
I'm sure you'll do a grand job!
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Post by deguconvert on Jan 29, 2016 3:48:34 GMT
I think kitten milk is the right kind to be using. Also don't be afraid to put Dad back in with them, they need his body warmth and all that they can learn from him about degu behaviors. You need to feed the pups at least every two hours every day at least until they are two-three weeks of age, then it will start tapering off around four weeks as they start eating more solid foods, and they will be weaned around six weeks. You need to make sure that they can't escape the cage, pups are very mobile and can get through tiny spaces. Have water available, they will be learning to drink that as well, but don't rely on that as their source of liquid, they really need the milk.
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Post by uglibug on Jan 29, 2016 8:03:53 GMT
Definitely put dad back in; he will keep them warm and safe. I'm afraid your on for some sleepless nights with feeding them, and be vigilant about them wandering too far from the nest, they can't control their own body temperature yet.
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Post by Kins on Jan 29, 2016 10:11:08 GMT
Oh gosh, what a terrible thing to happen.
No advice, just fingers crossed for you. I know how hard hand rearing can be, especially with such tiny little pups!
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Post by moletteuk on Jan 29, 2016 11:11:28 GMT
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Post by yasmin on Jan 31, 2016 5:01:41 GMT
I took them out of the next since Dad wasn't doing much for them and bought some kitten milk. Turnes out there were 8 babies, half have died. I feel so bad. The others don't look too great, but I will try my best. Oh my goodness – I just read this thread. What a huge challenge you've been saddled with. All you can do is your best; the rest is up to nature/fate. How is it going? Do you have any one to help you with this?
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Post by bouncy on Feb 2, 2016 13:46:32 GMT
Hi Weeble257, how is the pup rearing going?
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Post by deguconvert on Feb 3, 2016 2:46:00 GMT
I have sent a request by email for an update to the poster, but so far haven't heard back.
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