Mama degu died

[cookie0609]

I need some help, I had 4 degus 3 females and 1 male. Well my 2 oldest have passed away. My issue is that my 2nd oldest female just gave birth yesterday and I found her sitting on her baby and she was dead. I have another female still with the pup but I don't know what to do. I am going to the feed store and getting milk for the pup, but would the other female develop milk and start feeding the baby? I don't want the pup to die he or she is the only the mama didn't lose, the other 10 came out no fur or eyes. The mama got really sick and we are not sure what happened, honestly we think it was just old age. I am not sure how long they live but she was 7 years old. I need a little help.

[zenaida]

Oh my goodness! That's so sad! I'm pretty new myself so I don't have enough experience to help. I know someone who can help will be along soon. I just wanted to send you internet hugs for the tragedy.

[moletteuk]

I'm afraid it's going to be hard work and the odds are stacked against you, but you can try feeding the pup with 'Shirley's lactol' made up with cooled boiled water and fed every two hours.

The remaining female will not produce milk but she should keep the pup warm, which will help a lot.

See this page on Degutopia www.degutopia.co.uk/deguhandr.htm

[Deleted]

How unfortunate and I'm sorry for your loss. I hope the little one survives! ❤️

[deguconvert]

You can use milk for kittens, and you need to feed them every 1.5-2 hours, 24/7. Call your vet or a pet store to find some of the milk, it is usually available in cans. Pups are often weaned between 4-5 weeks of age. The female you have right now will not develop milk, but will tend to the other needs of the pup. Pups do not regulate their body temperature well, and need to be kept warm, so if you see the pup wandering about, you need to pick him up and see how he feels. If he is cool, you need to get him warmed up. Do you have a Snugglesafe heating pad? Degu pups are very active pretty early, so it will be walking around and exploring the cage. They are masters of escape, so you need to be sure that the cage is safe, and that the pup can't get out. It's a huge world, and if he/she gets out, you might be very pressed to find it in time.

How are you doing? I'm so sorry about the passing of the pups Momma. My condolences.

[goolover]

Ah hun, so so sad. I think the recommended max pregnancy age is 5 years old so don't know if this was the causing factor and with such a unusually big litter it has had an immense strain on her body (I personally would consider 8 pups a big litter). Plus there are also underlining factors that could have caused this defect in the pups i.e. If the mam was ill in the first instance or had a illness like diabetes etc. Your pup does have the odds stacked against her as she will need to feed from a syringe AND every 2 hours, which is problematic and such a hugh pressure on you. If you don't feed her, she wont survive plus she is not vocalizing with her mam so she will feel this. I've had 2 litters, a 6 and a 8 so I know the importance of mam and baby bond. I'm sure i've read a successful story of a hand reared degu though. Heat is also very important. A heat pad is an option to keep her warm if big sister isn't providing this. Good luck and let us know how you get on x

[mangoo]

Heya Cookie, Really sad to hear this tragic story, as goolover has explained it is possible to nurse this Degu through this early phase. It will not be easy, however, if you do manage you will have established a remarkable unique bond with this newborn. Glad to hear that you have a surviving adult Degu which can provide all the critical learning tools for this pup (noise stimulus is so important, with the correct mindset I firmly believe humans can provide all the rest)! Good luck!!