Large litter of Pups! - Page 3

souffle · 06-11-2006, 11:43 AM

Quaker oats is good. Wheatgerm I would think any health food store would stock. I think Lactol is a UK make but I would go for any puppy or kitten milk you can get. I think you can get little cartons of made up kitten milk in pet stores. You can here. Ready Brek is the Uk version of an instant hot oat breakfast cereal but if you make the recipe for porridge on the Quaker oats pack that will be just perfect. Just cool it after it is cooked. Try them on tiny bits of tofu, chicken & a teeny bit of greens, brocolli or something now. Also baby food is good. Heinz jars of chicken & pasta or spagettiti hoops & sausage. Mum will take it in to them. I am rooting for them. Candace is in the USA she might know about some stockists.

Personalityhamsters · 06-11-2006, 12:29 PM

I have kitten and puppy milk from a pet store! Ive tried it on the smaller pups that werent suckling on mom but there bellies swoll up well they were still alive and they lookwd very uncomfortable....Then unfortunatly they died.... Is baby oatmeal w/ soy milk ok for the babies?

**babyboos** · 06-11-2006, 01:53 PM

That is for both mum and babies to eat. You need to get some protein and carbohydrates into the babies. I would not under any circumstances touch them or go anywhere the nest however, mum does not sound happy at all, and I would hate for you to ose your final two pups. Place a piece of wholemeal toast near the door next to your jar lid of supplement (oats whatever) mum will collect these and take them back to the nest. Cooked wholemeal pasta works well, especially tuna pasta

The milk you gave the pups is not ideal for such young hamsters - either use it mixed with food or if you can the powdered form sprinkled dry on the nest - this is ultimately the best variety as it is packed with vitamins. This is really only of use for future reference though. For now I recommend you do not directly interfere with the nest.

souffle · 06-11-2006, 03:53 PM

As Babyboos said the puppy/kitten milk needs to be mixed into the porridge. Mum will have plenty milk for the two pups so do not worry about them getting enough milk. The other pups would have been too small to digest the milk supplement properly so that could have caused their tummies to distend. Mothers milk contains lots of other special goodies like antibodies to help them fight disease and just the right balance of proteins, fats and carbohydrates to grow healthy little hammies. Do not panic over getting milk. Just feed mum the mix we said and she will pass it on in her milk and by giving it to her babies.

Personalityhamsters · 06-11-2006, 11:53 PM

Babyboo The mommy hamster is FINE and is not upset at all.... She Hasnt yet showed any signs of being upset.... The 2 babies i have left seem alright for now and ill keep you posted! I am putting oatmeal. baby oatmeal and sm seeds in nest along w/ the whaet germ i found today woohoo! LOL Anyways im still giving mom wheat germ, oatmeal, soy milk warmed and mixed together. She still doesnt seem like she has milk but within a few days well see how babies look(skinny or fat). Ill keep ya posted

Thanks 4 all ur help guys.... :P

Personalityhamsters · 06-12-2006, 11:00 PM

Momma ham doesnt seem to be showing as much interest in 2 babies as be4... ? Im a bit worried.... Anyways they were born on the 2nd so they are 10 days old now! Im so exited they are getting creases in eyelids showing eye development too! Aww im glad these 2 are doin good... Im still filling nest w/ baby grub...

souffle · 06-13-2006, 12:18 AM

Don't worry. The mums soon get fed up with the babies and it is normal for them to pay less attention as the pups grow. For the first few days they are like broody hens and sit on the nest all the time but gradually they get back to a normal routine as the babies become more independent. You are almost there now. Are the pups crawling out on little missions yet? You will soon see them out lapping porridge and baby food! When the are 4 wks you can separate the boy and leave the girl with mum till about six weeks. Its a pity you don't have another male to run him on with but never mind. Our Nelson was an only boy and he turned out great! When their eyes open and they are out and about I would love to see some piccies. When they come out start handling them so you have nice tame babies. Stroke them at first after rubbing your hands in bedding and then pick them up over a low soft surface like a bed so if they jump, and they probably will, they will not fall far and hurt themselves

Personalityhamsters · 06-13-2006, 12:50 AM

Thanks i needed too hear that.. She seems to be out of nest for 2 - 4 hours at night but on nest almost all day! Ive seen pics of 10 day old babies on varies sites and mine seem to look a bit smaller but that seems normal in a litter of 10 or more! Anyways i will definetly send you some pics or post pics when they are about 14 days old so about 4 days :P Also is it normal for a little patch of skin to be peeling from mums bellie? Around one of her bottom nipples...

Also I have a home for the boy. A family or 6 are taking him. they have no other pets but a mouse and the kids are all 10 and up! Everyone wants a male so i might have to keep lil girl ive also grown kinda fond to her. She has a very beautiful pattern as does boy but she seems silkier! Im so exited to see how they come out... I was told id have all goldens but these seem bandeds of some color!

Personalityhamsters · 06-13-2006, 06:44 AM

Man oh man what would i do with out you guys? I am really grateful for all your advice and help! Even though im a brat sometimes i really appreciate it guys!

Anyways,

I had left some porridge in cage for about 20 mins and i came back and baby girl (Penelopie- Yes, i named her.....) was drowning in it... I immediatly took her and wiped her nose down w/ warm water in case it was in way of breathing.. She got all perky and BIT me and HARD too.... I didnt know they could bite so hard at this age(Only 11 days Old!). I put her back in nest w/ boy whos coming along beautifully and have had no other problems! But to sum it up i gots to be more careful about the porridge they are still a bit young! :P

lizzer · 06-13-2006, 10:05 AM

I'm sure the breeders here will have ideas, but thought I'd share one I had. Maybe you could try using a smaller shallow dish for the porridge. Shallow bottle caps from water bottles make great little dishes for food. I use them to give small about of baby food to my dwarves.