[Nagichan]

So when I first posted, my goo's Cinnamon and Nutmeg were very fearful and not interacting with me.

Well that's changed. They love running in and out of their cage onto me, allow me to pet them etc but Cinnamon did something interesting and a little gross to me tonight.

I was chattering for him and they both came running to me. Nutmeg played a bit but then went back but Cinnamon really seemed to want my attention. He chattered back at me, cleaned my hair for awhile then cuddled up next to me (I was laying on the bed) and then when he got nice and comfy...He PEED on me!!! Not a sprinkling either, a full out pee. So what was this? Was it scent marking? It didn't seem to be a random weeing but a very deliberate act. Any ideas?

PS: He seemed pretty happy with himself too. Both before, during the grooming and when he cuddled up. I just really wish he'd cuddled up and NOT peed like that lol. Got all over my hand and arm.

 

[16degus]

Nice to read that they are enjoying your company and you theirs.

(Hmmm.... are you sure it was pee?)

 

[Nagichan]

....Well seeing as now I know that Nutmeg is female and just gave birth just under a week ago to four healthy degu pups I'm not so sure now xD
Though it smelt like pee pretty quickly in my run from the bed to the sink to wash it off.

 

[16degus]

Congratulations (I think). Interesting...have I told you my story? I adopted 4 "female" degus from the local animal shelter (this was 2.5 years ago). One of my degus, Azure, was shooting pee outside of the cage and some of that pee was blood-tainted, so I took her to the vet. Turns out she was pregnant and so were two other degus, Lilac and Peridot. The shelter had made an error – the fourth, Sienna, is actually a male (now called Sean).

Azure miscarried her lot but Lilac and Peridot both had their babies – 12 of them!

How are your degus all doing? Have you separated Cinnamon? Degus can become pregnant within 24 hours of giving birth which is very risky for the mother (or so I have heard). As soon as I realized that Sean was a 'he', I put him in a separate cage. When all of the babies reached 6 weeks old, I had the vet separate the males from the females and the four male babies were introduced to their father. He accepted them right away (was so happy for the company). I kept Lilac and her four daughters in one cage and got a third cage for Peridot and her four daughters. The babies are all 2 years old now. (Lilac is now 6; Peridot and Sean are 4; Azure passed away from teeth issues at 4.5 years )

What do you plan to do? If you need any help, please ask. I have experience with this.

 

[Nagichan]

At first we were overwelmed but now it's turned into (mostly) a blessing. They're adorable.

Wow O___o That's a huge mixup and a HUGE litter!!! I'm glad things went well.

Because the babies are so small I have had to keep mom and the little ones in a smaller cage right now. It's not ideal but the babies are growing very nicely and Cinnamon gets neutered next Monday. I'm hoping I can re-introduce everyone asap just because Cinnamon is so lonely (and destructive) by himself. Chewing never used to be an issue but since he's been alone and in sight of the other cage he's chewed a hole in his water bottle and anything else he can reach and is so mad that he rarely comes out now even when I leave his cage open. I try to give him extra things to chew and extra dust baths/the odd treat to try and balance things out.

Mom also doesn't like the smaller cage. It is basically empty now because she was so annoyed by the little toys in it, so now I hang chew toys from the ceiling of the cage hanging down. Babies are eating me out of house and home!! O__O they eat a lot, already chewing on solids. Climbing cages, curious and very very healthy. All and all I would say I was quite lucky. The litter was relatively small and hopefully Cinnamon and Nutmeg did not have a chance to create a second litter. I can say that having these little guys has just completely set in stone that degu's are just about the most adorable, interesting pet to have though which is great.

 

[Nagichan]

So much has happened...

Since my last post there's been a lot of chaos in my degu family. First of all we weren't quick enough in separating the mom and dad, so we had a second litter. They are currently just about 3 months old and I'm having trouble moving them. There's such a small demand for degu's in my town.

Secondly, this litter has not been as healthy as the first. Nutmeg had six babies this time: Rishi, Terragon, Paprika, Anise, Kisha and Ginger. Right off the bat Terragon and Anise weren't well. They stayed so very little and were gasping. Took them to the vet. She diagnosed them with a lung infection (even though none of the others were getting ill) and gave them medicine. The medicine didn't help and despite my feeding them kitten formula, them knawing on solids and also drinking from mom, they continued to stay small. I started to think at this point they may have a birth defect, since every time I fed them, there'd be some liquid that escaped from their nose no matter how small an amount. Sadly the two of them passed away within ten minutes of each other after a week and a half.

The others were quite healthy until just on Friday. I'm not sure if it was misadventure or something else but the cage was knocked over Friday night when I returned home and Paprika had passed away. I'm not sure what it was...If the cat might have accidently scared her to death, if she got hit or pinned by something on the way down from when the cage fell or if she just expired. It's been hard not only on me but on Nutmeg...She's all alone again because once more we have no other females for her. Nutmeg will squeak for me when she feels lonely...A loud, very insistent squeak.

The only silver lining is I have a potential buyer for the three males I have. I hope so because I want to see them settled and happy in a forever home. There will be no more babies as Nutmeg has been separated from Cinnamon since day 1 or 2 (we didn't know they'd given birth) of the first litter. Once I sell the three males and find a home for Nutmeg I am left with three degu's all together...Cinnamon, the father, and two of the first litter: Masala and Chai.

I need a bit of happy thoughts though. Really...Paprika's passing hit me really hard. I was awake all Friday night just balling....

 

[16degus]

Oh my goodness. My heart goes out to you Nagichan.

Please take comfort in knowing that you have done all that you could for them. Terragon and Anise most likely suffered from birth defects. Paprika's passing is an unfortunate accident that, if you could have foreseen it, would have prevented. Or she too could have died from other issues. You will never know.

I hope the three boys will be adopted. Too bad you have to rehome Nutmeg (any chance that you might keep her and adopt some female companions for her? or, if Cinnamon has been neutered, could he be put in with her and the other two boys, Masala and Chai, share their own cage?). I am on a forum called deguworld. Are you on it? There is an Adoption Page where you can list Nutmeg; as well there are quite a few Canadians there to that might be able to help.

Good to hear from you again though too bad it is with such sad news. Though there is happy news too – Nutmeg, Cinnamon, Masala and Chai are doing well. Please keep in touch. Wishing you all the best.

 

[Hound-senpai]

I've read this is a sign of love, but the website I got that from wasnt completely accurate on most things haha! How many times has this happened? And is it only Cinnamon doing this?

And if the males are neutered I'd keep Nutmeg.
But if you can't, remember degus have great memory and will never ever forget you! -xxxx

 

[Nagichan]

And an update on an update. Been so busy.

The second litter really was not very healthy at all. The first three passed away and then the second three, two of them had cataracts (which was perplexing to me, since all were on the same diet and all the rest were absolutely fine.) Eventually I found homes for the three little ones and Nutmeg and I am in regular contact with their new owners. I kept Cinnamon, Masala and Chai.

Now they have their own ROOM (which they tear through) and all the love and care they could ever want. I recently discovered that Masala loves being scratched behind the ear. My one annoyance with them is with treats I have to have three at the ready as they are a bit aggressive around food with each other (not with me, I can actually pull the food away from them if needed.)