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Andi · 07-28-2019, 03:16 AM

Hi!

Several months ago I purchased two Syrian hamsters from two well known breeders. They have official papers with their genetic information, heritage and everything. The two hamsters seemed compatible based on the information in their certificates so I spoke to several friends who all agreed to take a baby or two and when the female reached 6 months of age I decided to try for babies.

Everything seemed fine at first, she was building her nest, I was giving her a lot of chicken and other protein. When the babies got born she did not seem all too excited, but several hours later she collected them and put them in a nest. She spent a lot of time outside the nest but she would always return and feed them. She ate one of the babies but otherwise all seemed well.

Then the nightmare started. All babies died between 4 and 7 days of age, despite the fact the mommy fed them and everything. One got half eaten, but the rest seemed just fine, except for being dead that is. Then I noticed their stomachs were slightly yellow and swollen; a vet suggested they might have a genetic liver problem?

So I really don't know what to do now. The babies could have died because the mom was not taking care of them properly (she kept leaving the nest for several hours - is that normal?) or they could have had a genetic problem. Is there a chance that while this litter didn't work out, the second will?

Thanks!

07-28-2019, 03:16 AM
Andi Newborn Pup Join Date: Jul 2019 Posts: 1	Negligent mum or birth defect? Hi! Several months ago I purchased two Syrian hamsters from two well known breeders. They have official papers with their genetic information, heritage and everything. The two hamsters seemed compatible based on the information in their certificates so I spoke to several friends who all agreed to take a baby or two and when the female reached 6 months of age I decided to try for babies. Everything seemed fine at first, she was building her nest, I was giving her a lot of chicken and other protein. When the babies got born she did not seem all too excited, but several hours later she collected them and put them in a nest. She spent a lot of time outside the nest but she would always return and feed them. She ate one of the babies but otherwise all seemed well. Then the nightmare started. All babies died between 4 and 7 days of age, despite the fact the mommy fed them and everything. One got half eaten, but the rest seemed just fine, except for being dead that is. Then I noticed their stomachs were slightly yellow and swollen; a vet suggested they might have a genetic liver problem? So I really don't know what to do now. The babies could have died because the mom was not taking care of them properly (she kept leaving the nest for several hours - is that normal?) or they could have had a genetic problem. Is there a chance that while this litter didn't work out, the second will? Thanks!