Unintended Pregnancy

[stymie1970]

I have what I previously believed were 2 female Dwarf Hamsters living together for the last 17 days. The Winter White is definitely a female, but now as she is getting larger and behaving strangely, I am beginning to believe that the Campbell's she is bunking with maybe a male (Thank you big box pet store which shall remain nameless!). They each have their own igloo, but the WW has been nest building, has a voracious appetite and constantly pleading with me to take her out of the cage (and during the day she usually sleeps, but she has been awake and acting like this all morning.)

I have a few concerns that I would like to bounce off some experienced members here.

1. I have read that a WW female may have certain logistics issues giving birth to pups from a "mixed marriage" (something about the Campbell's heads being too large for the WW's birth canal). Should I be concerned about the health of my WW? Could birthing kill her?

2. Although I think it's cool that Dwarf males often stick around to help raise the pups, I have zero interest in having another pregnancy go down, so I will be buying another cage to put him in TODAY and eventually the male pups once they are weaned can go in there with them before I find homes for them. Is this the correct move? or should I ask the shop to take him back?

3. The last few days I have been feeding a diet higher in Protein, did one last thorough cage cleaning, put some soft paper in for her to shred and been giving her all the attention she has been asking for. Anything else I'm not thinking of?

Thanks in advance for your helpful advice.

[Kissa]

Did you get them both from a pet shop? Campbells and Winter Whites are different species and should not be housed together, but if they're both from pet stores then in all probability they're both hybrids.

Birthing is always dangerous for the mother, there's always a risk she could die. I don't know how much more risk is carried by them being hybrids, though.

Apart from that, just leave her alone when the pups are born, don't disturb anything, don't look at them. Keep food and water away from the nest, at the other end of the cage. Remove the wheel and any unsafe toys, but don't do anything else until the pups have opened their eyes (at about two weeks). At that point it is safe to handle them, and to clean the cage! They should be put in single sex groups by four weeks.

[Ren]

Originally Posted by stymie1970

2. Although I think it's cool that Dwarf males often stick around to help raise the pups, I have zero interest in having another pregnancy go down, so I will be buying another cage to put him in TODAY and eventually the male pups once they are weaned can go in there with them before I find homes for them. Is this the correct move? or should I ask the shop to take him back?

Definitely the right thing to do, I wouldn't return him, keep him and his sons! Make sure she's housed alone too while she's birthing and caring for the pups. Clean the cage out really well now before she gives birth so you don't have to worry about it for a while. Give her plenty of toilet paper to build her nest. Plenty of fresh veggies and even some meat (sliced ham or turkey or whatever, just not seasoned or anything, just the plain meat). The meat should be once or maybe twice a week (and only a little bit).

[fluffymunchkins]

By refering the one as a WW and the otehr as a campbell, I presume your judging on their colouration? Pet shops usually sell campbell x ww's (hybrids) which vary in colour and body shape.
1. Hybrid dwarf hamsters are more likely to be born with health issues or deformities as they should not be bred. Its not certain the mother will have birthing problems, but its best to observe her to ensure she doesn't appear in pain or distressed. As you say she appears pregnant its likely she'll give birth within the next few days. The female often kicks out the male before giving birth also.
2.yes the male should be removed immediately. Introducing male babies to him is an option as long as he is willing to accept them.
3.Extra protein is brill, make sure to remove her wheel and anythign that could be a danger once pups arrive.
Be sure to keep handling to a minimum once babies are born, she needs to keep her attention focused on them.

Best of luck