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Post by ntg on Sept 5, 2018 7:26:18 GMT
Great job on the other things! Remember to completely block off the lowest level and keep Tookie in the very bottom level of the cage. If you can you should at least take Cha-cha to the vets to be sexed if you can't do so yourself. For now put Cha-cha in the oposite section of the cage from Tookie incase she is actually a he!
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Post by degucat on Sept 5, 2018 9:30:27 GMT
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Post by misscatafer on Sept 5, 2018 11:00:43 GMT
Wow Tookie is huge isn't she compared to Cha Cha. I agree that you really need to take cha cha to the vets to get sexed today, it may mean you don't have to separate them which will make things easier for you.
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Post by moletteuk on Sept 5, 2018 11:04:17 GMT
Tookie is certainly quite a lot bigger than Cha Cha!
The cardboard box is fine for a nest, they will probably chew it up but it's fine while it lasts. Also a large water bottle is fine.
Is Cha Cha going to the vet to find out what sex he is today?
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Post by winic1 on Sept 5, 2018 11:08:57 GMT
Yes, if you get Cha-cha sexed, and find out she really is female, then she can stay with Tookie, and she will help tend to the babies, which is good for everybody. Degus make great aunts and babysistters, they all love taking care of pups.
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Post by degucat on Sept 5, 2018 11:35:42 GMT
I’ve tried to take a look at Cha Chas genitals without the stress of taking her to the vets..... All I can see is the cone and nothing else. I think it’s because I can’t lift her/his tail up to properly see. Does this suggest it’s towards one way or another or does it not help at all? I will try and take another look but it’s v hard 😂
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Post by moletteuk on Sept 5, 2018 12:09:02 GMT
Unfortunately, that does not help at all. You need to check the distance between the cone and the opening, you need a photo so that we can check for you. I strongly suggest that you take him/her to the vet today because you have been trying for 3 or 4 days witout progress and it is now very urgent that you confirm she is female or separate from Tookie.
If Tookie gives birth and Cha Cha is a boy and still with her, they will mate right after she gives birth and it is dangerous for her to get pregnant again and you could end up with 20 degus that you have no room for.
I'm worried for you, Tookie and Cha Cha.
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Post by winic1 on Sept 5, 2018 12:46:37 GMT
Being separated from Tookie will also be stress for Cha-cha, especially if she can hear pups down below. Better to have an hour or two of stress and get the matter settled, than to have weeks and weeks of stress living alone. Take ChaCha to the vet and get it settled. Also, while there, if ChaCha is a girl, the vet may also be able to tell if she is pregnant as well, and just at an earlier stage (remember, it takes 3 months), so you'll know for sure if there will be more pups coming.
Degus are very social, and it would be best if neither one had to live alone. Living alone is very stressful for them. So do take ChaCha to the vet to find out if she really is female, or is a male and needs to be separated. yes, it will be stressful, but only for that short time. It's really the best way to handle things. And then, if ChaCha IS a male, when you get home you can put him directly into his own section of cage and not have to catch or move him again. If Chacha is a girl, she can rejoin Tookie and will soon forget the scary vet trip.
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Post by degucat on Sept 5, 2018 12:52:27 GMT
Right! I finally got to have a look as she (Cha- Cha) was half up the side of the cage and she looks as though she is a girl (no gap!) I’m now very confused as PAH said that they have been alone the whole of their life. BUT they did say that they just sold two others (I think boys) a few months ago so could they have lied and they were actually together and could it all have happened just before the others got sold and Tookie be at her last stages of pregnancy? Or does this now mean that Tookie is fat and ill? What do I do?!?!?😭 Thanks again for everyone’s help 😀 Oh and should I still take them to the vet now I have finally found out that Cha-Cha is a girl?
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Post by savvy on Sept 5, 2018 13:27:50 GMT
If Cha Cha is a girl she can stay with Tookie and help look after the pups. I still think that Tookie is pregnant, but I'm now concerned that Cha Cha may be too.
If p@h told me today was Wednesday I'd feel the need to check in all honesty. Degu pregnancy is 90 days, so there was plenty of time if someone to have made a mistake and put both of yours in with the boys, even if it was just while they were cleaning the cages, it only takes seconds with degus!
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Post by misscatafer on Sept 5, 2018 13:45:11 GMT
I second Savvy. Plus based on how worried you are about the situation, a vet visit is a must to put your mind at rest and give you a clear plan on what to do next.
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Post by degucat on Sept 5, 2018 13:50:01 GMT
Ok I’m glad I can keep them together as Cha- Cha really relies on Tookie as she doesn’t have a human yet to hold her and occupy her and cuddle her as she is too nervous so I’m really relieved! I think I’m going to still believe Tookie is pregnant because if it’s that easy that they can get pregnant it’s very possible.
I think I’ve already asked this but if she’s not pregnant what could it be, could it be fatal if it’s not pregnancy? How likely is it that she’s not pregnant? Sorry about all the questions! Thanks
I am taking them to the vets v soon!
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Post by deguconvert on Sept 5, 2018 14:08:48 GMT
Judging from your photos? Highly likely she is pregnant!
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Post by misscatafer on Sept 5, 2018 14:17:15 GMT
Good luck at the vets, let us know the outcome.
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Post by moletteuk on Sept 5, 2018 15:50:58 GMT
I agree you should get them both checked by a vet so we can all be sure and set your mind at rest.
Do be wary of Pets at Home vets, they can be rubbish, ideally ring round your local vets to find one with degu experience.
Take them in a secure carrier covered over with a towel to keep the degus feeling secure.
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Post by degucat on Sept 5, 2018 17:49:15 GMT
Thanks! PAH have now re arranged my appt for Monday! If they do it again I will definitely be complaining as it’s not on! ☹️ Luckily it was a free appt and I didn’t have to pay for it. But because they said they had to rearrange it they did let me speak to the surest who also through gritted teeth said it did sound like pregnancy. I will do that with the carrier and thanks for all the info and support 😀
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Post by misscatafer on Sept 5, 2018 18:06:03 GMT
I would request an emergency appointment, or take them to another vet. You need to know if cha cha is male or female and it really can't wait another 5 days - she may give birth before then if she is pregnant, or further deteriorate of you are suspecting she is unwell. I know you seem confident cha cha is female, but even if this is the case, she could also be pregnant and you need to prepare for that. Plus if she is actually male, she needs separating - from what you have told us Tookie could give birth within hours.
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Post by savvy on Sept 5, 2018 18:14:34 GMT
Have you had a look at our vet guide? deguworld.proboards.com/thread/15521/vet-guide Forum members have personal experience of all of the vets listed in the second post and you may be able to find a degu experienced vet near by. Just because p@h sold degus doesn't mean their vets know much about them or have treated them before. A decent degu experienced vet is worth paying for and as misscatafer has said, you can't wait 5 days.
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Post by moletteuk on Sept 5, 2018 18:26:16 GMT
Pets at Home will pay for you to see another vet. They should not have sold you a pregnant or sick animal, they are liable for any expenses. Do not wait until Monday.
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Post by degucat on Sept 5, 2018 18:40:36 GMT
I will insist on an earlier appointment, I agree 5 days is too long especially if she is ill.
Also thanks for the vet guide, the nearest one is an hour away though ☹️
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