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Post by yasmin on Aug 9, 2011 1:52:23 GMT
Just found alot of blood and four bodies of hairless, premature baby degus scattered around one level of the cage. I think that my Degu, Azure - who I took to the vet about three weeks ago because I was finding blood in the cage (and strange green goop around her mouth) - is the one because she's got blood on her feet and on other parts of her body; but I am not 100% certain because yesterday another of the Degus, Lilac, looked like she was also a bit bloody and seemed to be leaking a bit of blood.
When I had taken Azure to the vet three weeks ago, he at first thought she might be pregnant but I told him that was unlikely because I adopted her along with three of her sisters. The Humane Society had had them since February and I adopted them in late June, so I assumed that she had only been with sisters since February. The vet took Xrays just to be sure but he couldn't see any baby heads on it. Final diagnosis was a bladder infection which was treated with twice daily doses of Baytril for two weeks. Seemed to work because I didn't find anymore blood in the cage for the past week...until last night.
I checked the other three degus to make sure they are all females and they look as if they are.
Now I am afraid that Lilac too might be pregnant. Azure seems to be fine: she's eating, and running on her wheel.
Is there anything I should be doing for either of them?
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Post by malteser60 on Aug 9, 2011 8:20:10 GMT
Oh dear, that's the last thing you want. I'm sure somebody here on the forum can give you some good advice on what to do.
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Post by fred on Aug 9, 2011 11:57:16 GMT
I am afraid there doesn't seem to be much information about miscarriages in degus. From what I have seen, you should monitor her very carefully. Although rare, complications can occur. From what you wrote she seems to be fine, but if that changes even just slightly, I would take her to the vet.
It is probably more likely than not that her sister is pregnant too. I would treat her as a pregnant degu and others here may be able to give more advice on this. I would also double check that they are all girls. You can always post pics of their “bits” so that you can get confirmation.
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Post by yasmin on Aug 9, 2011 14:42:45 GMT
Thanks for responding. I will keep a close eye on her. There was more blood in the "nesting" box this morning. I think that her sister is probably pregnant as well and I will treat her as such, as you advised. I have called and left a message with the Humane Society (to see what happened and if there is any chance that my other degu, Lilac, is pregnant as well) and with my vet to see what I should do/look out for.
I appreciate your support. Thanks.
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Post by listracian on Aug 9, 2011 14:53:31 GMT
Take her to the vets. One of my girls had a miscarriage and later still gave birth to 3 pups but she died when the pups were about a month old. So it would be worth taking her down there so they can find out if she has any more pups in her because they need to come out if they so. Just beware my girl didn't show any signs of being ill or in pain or anything before she died and it surprised me when she did. I don't want to scare you but it's a big thing for a small animal so take her to the vets just to get checked over and make sure she is okay. It's always better to be safe then sorry!
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Post by malteser60 on Aug 9, 2011 17:34:57 GMT
Degus are well known to be able to hide their pain - a prey instinct.
To be on the safe side I would do as listracian says and take her to the vets again. At the end of the day they know more than we do (hopefully!).
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Post by yasmin on Aug 10, 2011 16:40:03 GMT
I spoke to my vet. He said the best thing is to not stress her anymore so he recommended that I NOT bring her over (it's a long drive). He told me to keep an eye on her; if I notice any issues to then come in. He also said that it was possible that she might have more pups to be born. Listracian, I am alarmed to hear that your girl died a month after the birthing. So sorry to hear that (hope that this doesn't happen to my girl, Azure). How long after the miscarriage did she give birth to the live pups?
As well, I am concerned, as you and malteser60 have pointed out, that perhaps I will not be able to notice if anything is wrong. The vet told me that as long as she is eating, drinking and pooping and isn't showing any signs of infection, she should be okay. So far, she's good (or at least I think she is).
Also, I spoke to the Humane Society where I got them from. They say that the foster mother was sure that there was no contact with a male during her 4 months of foster care unless one of the other three sisters she's living with is actually a male. They are trying to arrange to get a vet to sex the others. I hope this is not the case; I do not want to separate any of them from each other.
Thanks for your support. Will keep you updated.
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Post by malteser60 on Aug 10, 2011 16:46:28 GMT
Yasmin, if you post pics of their 'bits' we will be able to help you sex them.
Also I should have said speak to the vet not take them to the vet, sorry. Definitely do as the vet says and not take them so as not to stress them.
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Post by yasmin on Aug 10, 2011 17:24:49 GMT
Thanks Fred and Malteser60 for the offer to help sex my other degus. I'll take you up on the offer if the Humane Society can't do it.
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Post by Bexi87 on Aug 10, 2011 21:08:37 GMT
I would recommend posting pictures of all their bits anyway as some of the more experienced members are able to tell the difference very quickly!  |
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Post by yasmin on Aug 10, 2011 21:46:10 GMT
Okay. I will try and do that ASAP.
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Post by yasmin on Aug 10, 2011 23:11:13 GMT
I've found the male. Now what do I do? Right now I have him in a little carrying cage, separate from the females. The cage I have can be separated (top half from bottom half). Should I put him and Azure (female who had the miscarriage) together in the level with the nesting box?
Or should I put him in a completely separate cage but next to the big one so that he can at least see the other degus?
Or should I put him alone in the bottom half of the cage and the girls in the top half with the nesting box? I am afraid that he will "die of loneliness" if he can't be near the others.
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Post by yasmin on Aug 11, 2011 0:50:05 GMT
Thanks smux. I will do just that.
(I truly appreciate all the help from you all. So glad I joined this forum.)
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Post by malteser60 on Aug 11, 2011 10:27:16 GMT
Go with what smux says. The other thing you can do until Lilac gives birth (as long as you are certain she is pregnant) is alternate her between the him and Azure, so that he's not on his own the whole time.
Alternatively you can always consider having the male neutered.
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Post by yasmin on Aug 11, 2011 14:37:43 GMT
Thanks, malteser60. I will consider having "Sean" (nee Sienna) neutered if no babies show up (as if that's likely) in the next 3 months. If I/he can't wait that long then I might take them to the vet and see if he can tell if any of the three females (Azure, Lilac, Peridot) are pregnant. However, when he did radiographs of Azure, no babies showed up on that and she miscarried three weeks later.
Right now, Sean's cage is right up against the other cage so they all can see each other and touch noses and talk to each other (which they are doing).
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