Mystery solved -- Coco is a boy

[sarah]

This is so upsetting! The pet store swore up and down that they were both girls and we assumed they knew what they were doing and didn't check.

After keeping them separated all day yesterday we put them back together and watched them go through what was clearly some type of mating ritual. We got them out one by one and checked -- the difference was so obvious. We feel like such fools.

Now we're not sure what to do. Blossom is most likely pregnant, but they are brother and sister (or so the pet store said...) and I know inbreeding is bad. The degu formerly known as Coco will need to be neutered, but I know that's dangerous.

We have an appointment with an exotic pet vet tomorrow to discuss our options. In the meantime, they are still separated and both are pouting.

Sarah

[ra]

I'm sorry for your harrowing experience. Pet stores unfortunately appear to be the most uneducated bunch when it comes to Degus. It's certainly not your fault. I was sold a male who mysteriously had 9 puppies (8 lived) about five weeks after I bought "him". I'm not certain but am pretty sure she was bred by her father so I was very concern about the babies. Hard to say how she got pregnant since they said she was a male. Chances are the pet store doesn't have a clue. So lets hope if she is pregnant her babies will be ok. Mocha's were. All eight surviving puppies looked normal and active. The one I kept was the runt of the litter. Today I'm hard pressed to tell her from her mom. She grew up just fine.

If Blossom is expecting, you could keep a female for a cage mate for her and a male for a cage mate for Coco keeping them in separate cages of course. It may be better though to neuter him depending on what the vet tells you. They do form close bonds and may be unhappy being separated.

It's such a shame. You bought them in good faith wanting to give them a good home and thanks to the ineptitued of the pet store you have an unwanted situation on hand.

Good luck with the vets.