Pregnancy problems - help!

[melissage]

So, my degus have been together for a few years now (one is rescue and the other was purchased as a pup as the original degu did not get on with my others so lives separately and would only accept a baby).

I had no idea my degu was pregnant - she wasn't really 'showing' at all.

Today I noticed the female acting strangely, thought maybe she had become unwell and picked her up - much to my shock there were little feet hanging out! I put her back and left her to it but kept an eye on her - she took a while to get this baby out (approximately half an hour to 45 minutes) but unfortunately it was dead and she tried to eat it.
This baby seemed VERY big (we weighed it and it was 21g!).

She is still laying down now and then and then retreating back to the nest she has made and acting like she will give birth to more.
There is no evidence of any other pups (dead or alive) but she seems to me like she will have more and I doubt she would just have one?

Does anyone know if there is time between births or do they all come out in a short time frame?
I am slightly worried by the sheer size of the first baby and that the others will also have died. She doesn't really seem in pain - just a bit tired and on edge slightly (I don't blame her).

Any information or tips would be great!

Thanks,
Melissage

[Maravilla]

There is only one answer: Vets, now!

It is possible that there was only one baby, and in this case the baby is very big. This happens sometimes when the female is older. The problem of one baby: it can be big, too big actually for a natural birth. It probably died during the labour process. Such a birth a very, very risky for the mother. So, if it were my degu I would go to a vet now.

[melissage]

I already spoke to the vet (a degu vet) earlier and they said to only come down if she couldn't get the baby out - other than that she would be fine.
She isn't bleeding at all and seems okay in herself just like she might have another.

Thanks

[melissage]

This is the same vet that tried to get me to put other my degu down when he broke his foot (he is fine now!)

[Bexi87]

If you don't want to take her straight away I would keep a very very close eye on her and at the slightest sign of anything not being 100% I'd get her seen.

Remember she is very skilled at hiding pain until it becomes too much so it may worth a visit just to be safe?

[melissage]

I am fine with taking her to the vets - I just hadn't because they said she was fine.
She seems fine in herself now, I think maybe she just had one large baby with no room for any others.
I am staying up to keep an eye on her but only time will tell.
If there are any problems I will take her straight to the vets - although I think if she was going to have any more she would have done by now (the pup was born around 3.30/4pm today so nearly 8 hours ago now).

Thanks guys

[yasmin]

Your other degu is a male then? If so, he must be separated from the female immediately. Degus can get pregnant again within 24 hours of giving birth and this is very dangerous for the female.

I hope your "mama degu" will be okay – I would take her to the vet anyway just to be sure but maybe not to the vet that advised that you put down a degu because he had a broken foot. Please check our "Vet Guide"in the Health Section of this forum for a recommended vet in your area.

[Maravilla]

I know of a female (from a trusted source, not a "I have read somewhere...") that did not survive such a situation: It was an older degu (around 3-4 years; so not that old but old enough to have such a problem), with only one baby of the same weight. Birth was hard work and the mother did not make it. I don't want to scare you, but the statement of the vet that has not even seen the degu is really odd.

[moletteuk]

The vet comments worry me too because my vet would never say 'she would be fine' without seeing the animal, and there should really be more options than just putting to sleep, so I would recommend ringing around other local vets and checking out our list.

If she is still showing any sign at all that there are more pups inside or any sign that she is not quite right, then you only really have today to get her treated with any hope for a good outcome. Birthing complications can be severe for degus because degu pups are born so well advanced.

Do you have a spare cage to put the male into right away to avoid another pregnancy?

[melissage]

Hiya,

I took Ruby to the vets this morning because I was worried that she only had one - she had a feel and said she couldn't feel anything else in there and checked her over.
She was shocked at how big the baby was and that Ruby managed to get it out and said I wouldn't have noticed because there was only one pup, it was just huge.
Ruby is fine in herself and has been talking to Roderick (the boy) and snuggling up to him (funnily enough I got him neutered about 2 months ago so have left him in there with her for moral support).
She has made her nest bigger and has been crying out for her pup which is super sad to watch.

Tonight she has started running on her wheel and is much more lively and like herself.

Thank you for all your help guys. Just sad it ended with a dead baby gu

[Bexi87]

Phew - I'm glad she is okay

[klbishop]

pleased to read she is ok, I agree with MottleUK about the VET it seems a bit odd to not want to check her. Is your vet a small animal specialist?

[yasmin]

I'm so glad to hear that she is doing okay. (Glad to hear that Roderick is neutered and that they are snuggling together. )

[moletteuk]

I'm sorry for your and her loss. I'm glad the vet put your mind at rest and that she seems to be doing better now.

Good to know that Roderick is all fixed and they can stay together

[bouncy]

Poor little thing, glad Roderick is there to comfort her.

[deguconvert]

Coming to the topic late. How are your goos doing now?