SteveHolden 2 Posted May 10, 2012 Report Share Posted May 10, 2012 I have two polecat jills that were mated between 24-26th March. While they are both showing signs of pregnancy, nipples, loosing hair, etc. I feel thay may be a little overdue. While they are both in excellent health and eating well. Should I be concerned? Quote Link to post
Kay 3,709 Posted May 10, 2012 Report Share Posted May 10, 2012 I have two polecat jills that were mated between 24-26th March. While they are both showing signs of pregnancy, nipples, loosing hair, etc. I feel thay may be a little overdue. While they are both in excellent health and eating well. Should I be concerned? The jills could have had phantom pregnancys , or had there kits & eaten them Quote Link to post
The one 8,463 Posted May 10, 2012 Report Share Posted May 10, 2012 If there both looking healthy and eating well i doubt it ,Was the 26th the last day the hob was in ? . It does sound like a phantom pregnancy ,unless you spotted blood under there tails then they have gave birth and eaten them . Quote Link to post
SteveHolden 2 Posted May 10, 2012 Author Report Share Posted May 10, 2012 Thanks Kay. I did think along those lines but to have two phantom pregnancies and both eating thier litters seems a little unexpected. They are both still swollen and i have read that polecats may delay pregnancy. These are two jills from wild stock and mated with a white "greyhound" hob. I kept and used ferrets many years ago as a teenager in the 70's but never bred them, so this is a whole new experience to me Quote Link to post
Kay 3,709 Posted May 10, 2012 Report Share Posted May 10, 2012 Thanks Kay. I did think along those lines but to have two phantom pregnancies and both eating thier litters seems a little unexpected. They are both still swollen and i have read that polecats may delay pregnancy. These are two jills from wild stock and mated with a white "greyhound" hob. I kept and used ferrets many years ago as a teenager in the 70's but never bred them, so this is a whole new experience to me I really dont know anything about the delayed pregnancy to be honest, but if the jills are handleable It may pay you to get them quickly ultra sound scanned at the vets to see if there are any viable kits , having said that i would find it unusual for both jills to have produced nothing yet if the dates are right you gave Quote Link to post
Gaz_1989 9,539 Posted May 10, 2012 Report Share Posted May 10, 2012 Ferrets crossed with greyhounds? I hope that's a typing error? Quote Link to post
Bunny Boiler 177 Posted May 10, 2012 Report Share Posted May 10, 2012 They're 3 days overdue IF they were pregnant by the 26th. Gestation is 42 days and the egg can take a day or two to fertilise if the hob was removed on the 26th, bringing it to the 28th, making them only a day overdue at most also. I wouldn't worry to much as long as the mothers look okay. Phantoms can often result in birthing a blob of slim or similar which they may or may not eat. Just keep an eye out of the next few days and make sure they're getting the required amount of food and drink they need and they should be okay. Atb, Bunny Quote Link to post
SteveHolden 2 Posted May 10, 2012 Author Report Share Posted May 10, 2012 Ferrets crossed with greyhounds? I hope that's a typing error? Not the greyhounds as per "mick the miller" these are apparently much sought after albino ferrets about the size of a small weasel. Quote Link to post
Gaz_1989 9,539 Posted May 10, 2012 Report Share Posted May 10, 2012 Ah right. Never heard of a greyhound ferret before Quote Link to post
paul roberts 88 Posted May 10, 2012 Report Share Posted May 10, 2012 if they are due you will surley feel the kits run your hands over them Quote Link to post
SteveHolden 2 Posted May 14, 2012 Author Report Share Posted May 14, 2012 Well, they're a week overdue now and still no sign. I can feel small bumps in their lower end. They have now started biting each other's necks, yet fret for each other when I part them. I think a trip to the vet's is needed. Quote Link to post
SteveHolden 2 Posted May 14, 2012 Author Report Share Posted May 14, 2012 Totally gutted, just back from the vets, £25 lighter, and both jills have had phantom pregnancies. They are going mad at each other, presumably to get back in heat. I have decided to have them both spayed. A shame really, as they are beautiful half-wild polecats and the sire(I use that word loosely) was a beautiful little albino no bigger than a weasel. Quote Link to post
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