Large litter of Pups!

[babyboos]

maybe best to start a new thread - whatever happened here it is now a right mess - and then we can delete this one

we would all love to hear how the little ones are doing

[Personalityhamsters]

they are doing fine!



I also was wondering what the best hand rearing milk would be?

puppy Goats milk

Baies soy formula

regular puppy milk

Kitten milk replacement





? thanks

[souffle]

In the UK the recommended milk would be Lactol available from most pet shops. You could offer this as a porridge made with ready brek and a little wheatgerm to your babies now. Mum would like it too. Once they get to 9-10 days they do not need hand rearing as they lap their porridge themselves. We use 2 teaspoons ready brek, half teaspoon wheatgerm and quarter teaspoon Lactol mixed to a paste with hot water in a shallow dish like a jar lid. Cool till cold (can add cold water) and offer to pups. Ours have always done well on this. You don't need to use the wheatgerm if you don't have any. Glad to hear mum is coping well. What colour are they?

[babyboos]

I use Sherley's Lactol and Jordan's Wheatgerm with all my pups.

I make up a porridge with Hot Oat Cereal (Ready Brek type but usually shop's own brand version) and these in 2 teaspoon Lactol : 2 teaspoon Wheatgerm : 4 teaspoons Cereal respectively. I also add a teaspoon of each or either (depending on what I have to hand) of sesame, pumpkin, sunflower seeds and linseeds to the mix. Actually tastes quite good (I have tried it yes ). Make up to smooth consistency with soya milk and serve in a small food dish or jar lid. All goes very quickly. Mum's love it as much as babies.

[Personalityhamsters]

Well guy's I cant find lactol anywere? Im so desperate it's not even funny... Babies are 7 days old and will be 8 tommorow! I cant find wheat germ either ive been to 5 petstore's and 3 different grocery stores! I am so lost and there isnt any safe kitten or puppy milk replacement other than that i might be able to use? I have baby oatmeal and soy milk im giving to mum too...



( ps... i need help diagnosing something? Well ive been observing each dead pup mum puts in corner of cage and i see swollen bellies full to the max w/ air and yellowish stuff? Is this mean bad milk from mommy or is it a desiese? Remember dont get on my case about breeding petstore hams it was an accident...) :P



Thanks guys ur so helpful........

[Personalityhamsters]

oh color----

Male Pup- Maybee Golden banded or cream but he's darker than female!



Female Pup- Cream Banded( Perfect white Line in middle like mum)

[souffle]

Where have you tried for Lactol? It is available at Pets at Home which is nationwide. Your local shop should be able to order it for you or you could Google and order on line maybe. Jordans wheatgerm can be found at Sainsbury's and it is in the 'Organic foods' section or most Health Food shops will have it or similar. You can get Ready Brek most anywhere. Your vet should stock a suitable milk substitute and Lactol is a puppy/kitten milk which is probably similar to most brands. At a pinch use soya milk. I cannot really tell what is wrong with the pups. What are you giving them sprinkled on the nest? When a pup dies the bowel bacteria fill the body cavity with gas so that could just be something you are seeing that has happened sadly after the pup has died rather that the cause of death. I doubt there is anything wrong with mums milk. It is probably just bad luck, a large litter and a first time mum. Do you have two left now? I would leave them with her and cross your fingers & toes all goes well. I think if it had been an infection you would have lost them all so here's hoping she keeps these little ones. Where are you in the UK and someone may be able to help out? There is nothing wrong with pet shop hams as long as you know what you are doing when breeding and can home the babies. You need to be careful with the white belly gene when breeding from unknown backgrounds. Keep us posted.

[souffle]

Just had a thought. It is worth checking that mum does not have mastitis which would make her nipples all swollen and hot and hard. Most hammies are quite poorly if they get this and would need vet treatment but it does mean they do not produce enough milk for the pups. Have a look under her tummy. A bit redder and more noticeable is fine when she has pups but not red and swollen.

[Personalityhamsters]

Well I had 10 homes out of the 17 but i dint expect this many to pass! Yes i have 2 babies left a male and a female. They look healthy and i cant see there insides anymore! Im putting quaker oats around the nest along w/ parakeet food... I also have some porrridge i think they wander of and suckle on? Anyways yes ive never taken any babies from mom shes done evrything heself unless i see a dead babie in there for more than a day i remove it! I checked her nipples and theres only 2 nipples that seem a bit swollen... Its the first 2 under her front arms... They dont fell hard or warm though....





Im in the US so ive tried petco, petsmart, Pets delight, Pet depot and Pet city w/ no luck of lactol.... Ill call my vet tonight and see if he carries it or can order it for me? Also Im going to a Healthy farms wish me luck on finding ready brek and wheat germ....

[lizzer]

I think I read somewhere that you live in California. Try Whole Foods. They will have wheat germ. I got some there myself along with some oat bran for a diabetic dwarf. It will likely either be in the bulk food section or the baking goods section.