Pregnant degu (probably)

Question
QUESTION: Hi there,

I have a rescue degu which I've had for a month and is probably around 5 months old. She appears pregnant based on her belly next to her smaller sister. On Saturday she started bleeding from her womanly parts a thick blood - not too much of it. She's been doing the same since - I've taken her to a non specialist vet who thought it could be labour, intense estrus or a miscarriage but none of those should take this long. She stills seems active and is eating / was on the wheel today. Have you any experience of similar from your breeding - should i worry (more than I am).

Thanks,

Alex

ANSWER: The only time I've had anything like this was a breech delivery where both mom and baby died.  They only have induced ovulation (male must be near them to get them to ovulate) so you don't have the heavy estrus possibility, and while miscarriage is the most likely option, if she is still bleeding you really need to check the bedding.  If they have a stillbirth/miscarriage, they will chew up the head and bury the body.  Often when they are young they will not carry the first litter to term, but not always.  Just dig through the entire cage and see if you find any bodies.  Then keep a close check on her...get her some calf manna if she does nurse (it's a calcium supplement sold at farm stores and Rural King).  If these things are happening and you don't have a specialist vet near you, there really isn't much you can do but keep her comfortable.  If you ever suspect a female is pregnant DO NOT HANDLE HER!  They miscarry very easily.  Only move them by letting them crawl into a jar--never pick them up.  Sadly in the earlier stages of pregnancy you don't always know when she is expecting.  It's only the last few weeks you can usually tell.  
Good luck,
Carol

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Carol,

Thanks for the quick response. I'm in the UK, just in case you think I like to write at very odd times of day.

Just to follow up - do the timescales fit with a breech? She was first bleeding last saturday and it's now Friday - not really any blood any more, just a little mucus (originaly it was bloody mucus). I haven't handled her, have taken her to the vet twice though who has prodded and thought he could feel fetusus inside her.

For your breech, did it take this long with her stil seeming very healthy, curious, on wheel, eating, etc? Also, if it did how quickly did she go downhill when she did?

The vet has offered me an x-ray, but it would be under light aneathetic so would terminate the pregnancy if they were still alive - don't want to do that if it's not endangering her.

Thanks again for all the help and advice,

Alex

Answer
Sorry the late reply, for some reason when I replied this morning it didn't "take".  When mine had trouble, her first pup was fine, then came the breech.  She didn't eat, only moved to try to work it out and was very NOT ok.  I can't see into the future and tell you what exactly to do, but I'd recommend if she's acting fine let her be.  If she isn't you can either take her to the vet (where he may or may not be able to help) or let nature take it's course. It looks like yours is doing much better.  Good luck!  Carol