Feeling stupid-accidental possible pregnancy

BellaSimone · 03-30-2016, 08:53 PM

I have been reading the posts on pregnancy hoping to get as much info as possible, just in case. Here is the short story of this. We adopt our hamsters from Petfinder here in Illinois. I do not want to breed for I didn't want the responsibility for finding homes for hamsters, just like anyone here, I would have very high standards for placing them. We adopted a female Syrian a few weeks back. I was told she was approx a year but believe she's possible a little older. Her cage is above my male Sryians cage. Today, I went to pick up my male and just as he was walking on my hand, I see my female come out from a tunnel-in his cage! I feel so stupid! My husband and I are utterly dumbfounded how she escaped. Neither showed signs of any fighting and I am scared they had 'a good time'. Caring for babies would not be an issue but if I had an exceptionally large litter, is there anyone who knows of hamster sites in Illinois where I could find suitable people wanting one? I don't like the idea of advertising on a craigslist kind of site. If I did, I'd have a 5 page ad on what I expected from a potential suitable adoptee, an 8 hour class on hamsters, visiting rights (jk) and of course making sure they were not sold for food. This is premature still but since it is not a long gestational period, I want to be prepared. Or if anyone knows of surrounding area hamster sites, I'd probably be willing to drive to meet a good home, if I knew it was hamster people. If small liter we would most likely just get more ikea deltof cages and make another condominium community, this time putting the females on other side of room. Thanks for info.

Nancy's Hamsters · 03-31-2016, 12:26 AM

Well you'll need to place her on Pregnancy watch for 16 to 21 days. However if she is older then chances are in your favor she had a fling but wouldn't conceive as over a year many females still cycle and stand to mate but have no eggs to fertilize. Try not to beat yourself up as accidents do happen and thank the Lord above neither hamster was harmed while in the same cage.

WinnieTheHam · 03-31-2016, 03:50 AM

Accidents do happen and hamsters are great escape artists! So don't feel stupid. Glad neither are injured, you're very lucky! As Nancy said elderly hams are less likely to conceive. What species is she? Syrian hamster gestation period is around 16 days. If you keep a daily weight record from now on, if she gains weight in this time period she is possibly pregnant. Syrians usually start showing obvious signs around 10 days of pregnancy although it is possible to notice early on.

If you think she is pregnant, around 4 days before she is due remove toys that could possibly harm pups like the wheel and things they could fall from. Give the cage a full clean because you won't be able to clean the cage until pups eyes are open. Feed milky and protein foods like plain boiled chicken, boiled/scrambled egg, mealworms, porridge (made with water or puppy/kitten milk), Tofu, and fresh vegetables.

It helps if you sprinkle cucumber around the nest to help the pups get some fluids from when they're around 6 days old.

Let us know how she gets on.

Mama2six · 03-31-2016, 11:06 PM

I am also thinking it is good everything worked out okay. Escaping is also very dangerous! (Sometimes they can't be found.) At least you have her, and both hams are safe.

Females go sterile around a year (if she is a Syrian), but sometimes they can still have babies at 14-15 months.

Chances are good she did not conceive.

As you probably know, she will try to Escape again, and she will remember exactly how she got out, even if you can't figure it out.

Nancy's Hamsters · 04-01-2016, 01:25 AM

She is a Syrian as it states she was above her Male Syrians cage and I doubt they would think a Syrian male would mate a dwarf female

Mama2six · 04-01-2016, 04:00 AM

I did read the message twice... the middle of the night and I do not get along very well. Sorry, BellaSimone!

BluerayDarkes · 04-01-2016, 10:26 AM

Cheeky little lady she wanted some fun xD Hopefully she won't get pregnant, but if she does I'm sure you'll do well.

BellaSimone · 04-15-2016, 12:12 AM

So, it's funny, if she did have a successful hook up, she would be due any day now. I have absolutely no idea if she is. She does some things that make me think yes, new nesting area piled high under bendy bridge when she used to be out in open. But then, she's a new adoptee, maybe she's just adjusting to new place. Then she keeps pulling food dish to halfway under bendy bridge. Lazy? Smart? Or hoarding for pups? I can't tell if she gained weight, but can see her nipples. Again, maybe she always showed these off and I'm just now seeing them. I worked last few night shifts so I haven't seen her behavior when she's awake. I would love to clean her cage but since I can not see under the bridge, I don't want a surprise that could potentially harm her pups. I have stuck my hand by opening to offer hard egg and she took it but stayed under. Quietly watched her wash herself and did not see or heard anything. Sometimes, I think I am hoping for a sweet pink little body under there and may be sad when there is not. But, really the best is she remains a cute single lady. Plan now, is to watch quietly as if she may be pregnant and put off cleaning till I'm quite sure what our dear little girl has been up to. Just in case, anyone in Illinois looking for Syrians?

BellaSimone · 04-15-2016, 12:16 AM

Or come for a holiday, leave with a sweet baby to love...at least on this site I know they would have great home. ��

Pebbles82 · 04-15-2016, 07:37 AM

Aw - it must be hard wondering if she's having babies or not. Time and patience will tell. It sounds unlikely from what Nancy and Mama2six have said, if she is over a year old. But it does make you wonder why she went in your boy ham's cage! The piling up of substrate does sound like it might be - best not to disturb anything. Maybe put extra food out and see if she takes more than usual.