1 Baby

[Tammy22]

Hiya everyone,

i had a quick check on my Sable last night and there were two babies in the nest.

This morning there is only one again.

This baby is very big, very full of life and also has milk in his / her tummy - so fingers crossed!

I was just a bit worried that it wont be able to survive in the nest when the mother starts to come out for longer periods - will it be alright on its own? Can one baby survive on its own?

Also, is there a chance she could have problems with her teats if not enough of them are being succled? What should i look for? What signs mean she is having problems?

I have never had a hamster with only one baby before.

edit**** actually just remembered about Lilly's baby - she only had one and she was very young too, as she was pregnant from the petshop - and that baby died - but she's a campbell (pobably hybrid) edit****

Thanks,

Tammy x

[NaomiR]

wow I've never heard of a single syrian baby either, it's going to be a whopper!

[Holly]

I have heard of hamsters with just one in a litter - I'm guessing there's usually more but the others die/are culled my the mum. I can see what you mean about it struggling to survive on it's own without others to cuddle up to it. On the plus side, if it's the only one, it will be getting all the nutrition and, as Naomi says, it will be a whopper. You'll just have to make sure there's lots of bedding for a warm nest as it won't have siblings to snuggle up to - and keep the room nice and warm (luckily it's summer!).

I'm not sure about the mastitis issue - I know it happens but if the baby suckles constantly and uses different teats then you might not have a problem. Good luck!

[Bunsey]

Moosley had a female whose babies died and she had mastitis, but it could be a case that if the baby suckles from a different teat each time that she'll be ok. fingers crossed

[Moosley]

Encourage her to stand up and 'beg' every day for a treat and while she does so, look at her teats, they often look 'suckled' but if there is a bulge there or it is a slightly darker pink than the rest of her skin...

A trip to the vets and a short course of Baytril seems to do the trick! Both Bessy and Delilah had mastitis which cleared up with two days of Baytril.

[Emma1978]

I've had single babies survive before. One of my oldest hamsters I've had was the only one in her litter (originally 5) that even opened eyes!

[Tammy22]

Thanks for the replies everyone.

Sadly, the baby had 'disappeared' on Sunday morning - but i thought it might just have been hidden, or i just couldnt see it etc. but i had a good look this morning and it is definately gone

I have heard that the process of feeding a litter of babies actually takes more out of the mother than giving birth - is that true? If it is true then maybe this was a blessing in disguise, as now she can concentrate on growing herself.

Anyway, although it is very sad, i am not too upset about it as it means that maybe she can continue to grow abit and not be too traumatised by it all!

Tammy x

[souffle]

Sorry about your loss Tammy but as you say she was just a baby herself and seems she was not quite ready to cope with her own babies. I think sometimes with only one baby there may not be enough stimulation for the mother to produce milk and the baby does not make it. Hope she has a speedy recovery and gets herself nice and fit and well grown now.

[Emma1978]

sorry to hear about the baby

[Spuds Mum]

My sympathies to you as you say though, at least your girl can now grow and mature. Big hugs x