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Post by bouncy on Sept 4, 2016 12:29:34 GMT
Yes, that's right re residual sperm. Could Lemmie maybe babysit on and off? I know they still feed from mama and won't be weaned yet, but it would give her a break and him some company. Don't know what the others think but, once weaned, does it matter which parent gives the pups their life skills? At that point, could the boys move in with Lemmie to share the load? It doesn't sound like the cages are next to each other. Is there any chance of doing this? Poor Lemmie sounds totally heartbroken
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Post by dops on Sept 4, 2016 14:49:49 GMT
I haven't been able to let Lemmi babysit as much as I had hoped, as when I let Mowgli out to run I pop Lemmi in her cage, but then she will decide to nip back at random all the time to check on pups/hide something in the cage and when she realises she can't get back in she gets quite antsy. Also annoyingly the cage Mowgli + pups are in is smaller than the one Lemmi is in, but his has far too wide bar spacing. So I think tomorrow I will go get some mesh wire to kit out his cage, and then swap em over.
Unfortunately their cages are right next to each other, but it just isn't enough for them :-( . But thinking about it they are being little drama queens about it all! But yes that might be a nice light at the end of the tunnel, as soon as they are properly weaned the boys could keep dad company.
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Post by dops on Sept 4, 2016 14:56:53 GMT
But on the plus side I have been thinking of borrowing some money off my family to buy the Liberta Explorer cage, and then sell the other 2 I have once they've moved into a single one to pay them back. And I think with the right adjustments (I was having a look at the CARA recommendations) it would be suitable for 3 to 4 degus. So if I neuter Lemmi, I could make a potential group Of Mowgli and Lemmi and 2 daughters. If I cannot, I would probably keep it at Mowgli and 2 daughters. Will have a think!
I have owned cats and dogs for years, but they have never come close to the manic life of having degus!
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Post by bouncy on Sept 4, 2016 16:03:04 GMT
Don't forget, you'll need somewhere to keep a neutered Lemmie!
Sounds like an excellent plan, and good positive thinking! By modifying to make both half levels into full ones, it's enough for three. If you can also adapt the stand into another level, that will give enough for four.
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Post by dops on Sept 4, 2016 20:05:58 GMT
okay my mum lives abroad but is a vet and so very animal friendly and I explained my situation and she's given me a loan so I just ordered the explorer cage! I did the fastest delivery I could, so Mowgli just needs to hold on for a couple more days then she + pups can move in to it.
And yes will make sure Lemmi has a nice, soft cage for if he gets neutered! Will update once I have met with the vet tomorrow.
Phew, its nice to think I am actually finally doing something, I felt very useless and was stressing.
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Post by deguconvert on Sept 4, 2016 20:46:42 GMT
Yes, that's correct, Dops. Now, I'm not sure about the science of the procedure, but I can only think is that though the testes are gone, perhaps there are still some in the within the . . . pardon me, I'm WAY tired today . . . "tubing." So while I would like to say you could put them together sooner, it is probably best not to. Though letting them meet for little playdates could be fine, so long as you don't walk away from them, look anywhere else but at them, and don't blink, because apparently they are "speed mate-rs".
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Post by winic1 on Sept 4, 2016 23:49:04 GMT
remaining in the "tubing" is right. So, even a brief meeting could mean another pregnancy and litter. Now, if there's some way to encourage him to, ummmm..., "flush" the tubing frequently, then any residual would be gone sooner. But, of course, without a vet verifying sterility, there's no other way to know if he's "done".
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Post by deguconvert on Sept 5, 2016 0:32:23 GMT
ROFL!!! And yet again . . . ROFL!!
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Post by dops on Sept 5, 2016 8:51:55 GMT
haha this was a very entertaining read this morning! Makes me wonder whether I could get some sort of fake female degu for him to errr practice on and empty himself out lol
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Post by bouncy on Sept 5, 2016 9:11:44 GMT
Just get him to take lessons from Spidey!
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Post by dops on Sept 5, 2016 12:04:54 GMT
I dread to think what would happen if all our goos somehow met up one day Bouncy! World chaos.
Took Lemmi to the vet, who was very good and seemed to know quite a lot about degus. She works at the Royal Veterinary College exotics section in London as I thought if I take the risk with Lemmi I want to go to the best. She gave him a clear bill of health, said everything seemed fine and healthy so I have decided to book him in for Thursday! Quite nervous, but she had done degu neutering before, and when she examined him she knew about the testicles and felt to make sure they were both droppped and in position. So hopefully will go okay.
Bless him, I had to take him on the tube which was chaotic and he took it all so well, even peeking out at people and when we arrived at the clinic he even ate a bit of dandelion root. When the vet tried to examine him he wouldn't stay still, although he is always so gentle (far more than Mowgli), and then I had a go at holding him and he stayed still as a statue for me! I was very touched, I don't often restrain them as I know it stresses them so was nice to know he trusts me a bit.
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Post by bouncy on Sept 5, 2016 12:20:23 GMT
I think that's part of the plan for world domination!
Awwwwwwww excellent! I know you're nervous about Thursday, but at least you know he's in good hands!
What an experience on the tube! When I go to the vet, we go by car, then pop into Costa next door. The boys love the attention!
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Post by Bexi87 on Sept 5, 2016 12:25:34 GMT
Wow, I don't think my girls would accept travel by tube! They would cause havoc!
Fingers crossed Thursday goes well, I'm sure it will. Exciting times ahead for Lemmie!
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Post by moletteuk on Sept 5, 2016 17:33:16 GMT
Good luck for Thursday. See what the vet says, but it's usually 3 or 4 weeks after the op before they are sterile.
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Post by deguconvert on Sept 5, 2016 18:50:36 GMT
May trip, the surgery, and the recovery good well beyond expectation and hope! I'll be thinking of you and Lemi all week!!
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Post by dops on Sept 6, 2016 23:26:56 GMT
so it may have taken me a good 3 hours (far more than it should have) but i set up the explorer cage! it is actually beautiful. i live in the basement of the house, and my stepmother is lovely but not keen on animals, and so she went slightly pale when the huge boxes arrived today... But the pups love it! They have been clambering everywhere. Mowgli is mildly appeased but still intent on reuniting with Lemmi, they are acting like long lost lovers. But hopefully in a couple of weeks they will be together. Also a few questions about the pups (sorry ignore if you cant be bothered!!)
When should I think of providng water? I guess they are getting most of their liquid from milk but I'm guessing that will tail off at some point, how do I introduce water bottles to them? Also is there any type of food I should be feeding them to make sure they are good? I check them everyday and jesus I don't know how she has managed it but all 8 are big and healthy. Also with handling them so they hopefully get tame, should I use the fact I can still catch them and hold them (and so catch them, and then do it that way) or should I treat them as grown degus and not crowd their space and let them come to me? Sorry, I really want them to be well handled before they go to new homes, but also don't want to give tham a bad impression of people!
Thank you in advance
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Post by bouncy on Sept 7, 2016 0:21:31 GMT
You could try a bowl, but I'm not sure I'd want to risk it. You or mum can introduce them to the water bottle.
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Post by winic1 on Sept 7, 2016 3:00:52 GMT
Watching Mum and their own curiosity should teach them to use a water bottle. Just make sure there is one, or more with so many pups, that is low enough for them to comfortably reach and experiment with.
If they don't mind you catching them to hold them now, I'd say keep it up so they stay comfortable with it. If it seems to be scaring them off, then stop. Others with more experience may have a different view on this, tho.
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Post by deguconvert on Sept 7, 2016 4:48:06 GMT
Now is a good time to find out what kind of treat they will do anything for, and then start to train them to your hands and whatever else you would like to train them to. Our first litter of pups LOVED sunflower seeds.
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Post by dops on Sept 8, 2016 11:02:45 GMT
thank you! will get another bottle or two and put them in various heights and places.
Dropped Lemmi off at the vets this morning and so am now anxiously waiting for them to call later. He was absolutely amazing at the vets, they had some vet students in there as well and he was so friendly, he clambered onto their hands and nibbled their sleeves! They thought he was brilliant, and he was so gentle with them. He is also getting so good with the tube! Today he just sat in his cage and ate some hay and peeked around and even groomed himself a bit. But I have put some money aside to bring him home in a taxi after the surgery as I think it would be nicer for him.
Am hopeful, the vet seemed to know everything about degus and had neutered many degus before. And I am relieved she said although the vet students would be watching, they wouldnt be allowed to assist as it is quite a delicate one and she says she tries to keep the actual surgery as quick as possible. And although the price was quite expensive, it includes 2 post-operative checks and all the meds and pain relief.
Sadly she said to be on the safe side, to keep Lemmi separated for about 6 weeks after today, but we agreed it would be better to overdo the time than underdo it.
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