ava
Burrowing Degu
Posts: 215
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Post by ava on Nov 9, 2011 16:49:42 GMT
Well, basically, Dmitri, as of this afternoon, seems to have two sort of lumps around his genital area. Due to the symmetry and shape of them, I would assume they're his testicles. But I don't understand why they're suddenly showing. They're um...quite large. That's why I noticed them, when he was standing up. I'm worried he might have an infection or something, making them swell up? He's not acting any differently though. Any ideas? I have a picture if needed...  |
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ava
Burrowing Degu
Posts: 215
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Post by ava on Nov 9, 2011 16:57:55 GMT
Oh. No, I think they're above it. Oh dear. |
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ava
Burrowing Degu
Posts: 215
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Post by ava on Nov 9, 2011 17:16:26 GMT
Ok, though I just looked again and they're gone. I'm so confused  |
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Post by fred on Nov 9, 2011 18:11:15 GMT
Degu testicles are well inside and you shouldn't be able to see them. If you have a picture, could you post it? I have a paper with pictures from a neutering operation and could at least say whether these lumps are in a relevant position.
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Post by Maravilla on Nov 9, 2011 19:06:07 GMT
Degu testicles are well inside and you shouldn't be able to see them. I don't agree with that. At present, I am taking care of a group of 5 not neutered boys and you can see their testicles very well. Actually, some of the boys have quite big ones ;D. Degus can hide them when stressed, but when a degu is relaxed you can normally see them. |
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ava
Burrowing Degu
Posts: 215
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Post by ava on Nov 9, 2011 19:29:18 GMT
Well, here's the picture  (In case it's not obvious, the picture shows from mid-body to mid-legs, which are then blocked by the wooden ledge)  You can see the cone just below. I couldn't see them anywhere when I went back earlier. I've definitely not seen them on either degu before. |
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Post by fred on Nov 9, 2011 19:43:19 GMT
From the position, these are the testicles. I have now seen a few posts on deguforum.de which indicate that testicles can be seen, depending on whether the degu is relaxed. I think I was picturing something different when you described it as lumps. From your picture it seems they are internal. Taken together with the coming and going, it seems likely these are the testicles. Well, something learned today  If Google Images hasn't missed something this is the first picture. |
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ava
Burrowing Degu
Posts: 215
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Post by ava on Nov 10, 2011 11:57:49 GMT
Ah, that's relieving. Thanks. But doesn't that mean they're hardly ever relaxed around me? |
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Post by fred on Nov 10, 2011 12:43:36 GMT
Ah, that's relieving. Thanks. But doesn't that mean they're hardly ever relaxed around me? Not at all. There are hardly any observations of this and we don't understand what's going on. To be honest, when I read maravilla's post yesterday, I first did a Victor Meldrew  Searching deguforum.de, I found a single post mentioning this. Loosely translated the key sentences: “I have 2 neutered and 2 intact boys. I can see clearly that the two intact boys have their testicles. However, only when they stand somewhere or run around in a relaxed manner. When you pick up these degus, they retract their testicles because they become tense.” With perhaps only a handful observations, we can't know what relaxed means, whether it is physiological or emotional. I am sure the abdominal muscles will play a role and it seems perfectly possible to me that a degu has a tense posture while being completely relaxed with its owner. Bottom line, I am sure there is nothing to worry about |
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Post by Maravilla on Nov 10, 2011 16:13:50 GMT
I heart this from a friend of mine who observed it with her not neutered boys. The boys I am housing at present show their testicles very well. They can be seen even better from the backside. I'll try to take a picture, but cannot promise anything.
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ava
Burrowing Degu
Posts: 215
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Post by ava on Nov 10, 2011 18:40:54 GMT
Thank you, Fred  That's good to know. |
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Post by Maravilla on Nov 10, 2011 19:53:36 GMT
  I admit, it's the same degu and it's a really big one. But: Any doubts ;D??? |
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Post by fred on Nov 10, 2011 21:21:32 GMT
smux Could you have a closer look please at the pictures provided by ava and maravilla, respectively? The “lumps” seem to be in different positions. If I understood you correctly, the ones you observed are like those of maravilla's degu?
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ava
Burrowing Degu
Posts: 215
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Post by ava on Nov 11, 2011 14:55:59 GMT
I'm now seeing the lumps more often and on both degus, usually when they're standing.
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Post by deguconvert on Nov 12, 2011 4:45:09 GMT
This is . . . strange . . . new . . . and interesting!! I've never yet seen these . . . protuberances. Watch . . . now that we've had it called to our attentions, we'll start seeing more of "them!" Now, if we could just figure out what they are . . . . If they really are scent glands, as suggested by Smux . . . anyone willing to give them a sniff?
Brings up a question for me . . . are these the things that would be responsible for making the wee decidedly STINKY at times, while at others it is not? The boys all scent mark me, but they don't do it so much on the other family members . . . and I mean LIBERALLY scent mark me!! I can't stand to be with myself sometimes after they have been on me. PEEEEUGH!!!
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If Google Images hasn't missed something this is the first picture. 
Searching deguforum.de, I found a single post mentioning this. Loosely translated the key sentences: “I have 2 neutered and 2 intact boys. I can see clearly that the two intact boys have their testicles. However, only when they stand somewhere or run around in a relaxed manner. When you pick up these degus, they retract their testicles because they become tense.”
That's good to know. 
