Unique situation here...

kmknits · 07-14-2016, 05:35 AM

Hello, I am not new to having Syrian hamsters, as have two before adding two more from my local shelter on July 11...here is my slightly bizarre tale: when I went to my local SPCA to sign up for their foster program I ended up adopting the last 2 of 5 hamsters surrendered to them on July 1st. I can tell by their size that they are not babies, but have no idea on their actual age, yet they were living together in a critter trail cage...snuggled up to sleep etc., just bare necessities in cage...bedding, water bottle, food bowl and 2 wood chews. I was told they were both females...one golden and one white and that the flesh eared white one was blind, so they were afraid to separate them. I got them home, got a good look at them and the white one is blind in only one eye(it's all white in the middle), but he is most definitely NOT a female!. Needless to say, they are living in separate cages in my care...and not the critter trail, that thing's only good for clean outs, lol! My concern now is that the female could be pregnant...she is chubby looking, with what could be baby bumps at her sides. What are my chances that she's just a lumpy older female and not actually expecting? I am still processing the fact that they lived together without hurting each other! I have her on pregnancy watch for the next two weeks, just in case, but really have no idea when to expect babies if she is indeed pregnant. Any advice at this point, or is it just watch and wait? They are both friendly and not scared of me, but I've not handled them yet as to give them a chance to settle in properly...they've been thru allot the last weeks.

Erin.R · 07-14-2016, 08:18 PM

I think I saw some pics of your girl on FB? She did look slightly lumpy but that could be due to lack of exercise in the tiny critter trail. I would say you will have to treat her as if she is pregnant. Count 16 days from the day you got her and then you will know either way in 16 days

Pebbles82 · 07-15-2016, 05:09 AM

Agree with Erin - time will tell

It is quite possible. I'm surprised they haven't had litters before if they've been living together all that time (if that is the truth!) Good on you for taking them on. The blindness is a bit of a mystery - maybe an inflicted wound? It doesn't sound like a birth defect if only one eye really, so hopefully if babies come along it won't be an inherited issue.

AmityvilleHams · 07-15-2016, 11:58 AM

I've heard of dogs being born blind in only one eye,not sure if it would be just as likely in hamsters.It could still be a wound though,but there is definitely no guarantee on that.

kmknits · 07-16-2016, 04:37 AM

Thank you all for weighing in on this...the 3 other hamsters that were surrendered along with them were all the same colors of golden and white, so I guess it's possible they've had babies before or they could have been litter mates. It's anyone's guess at this point, lol. I did get a digital scale and she has gained 2g since I got her so far...so we'll just act "as if" and hope for the best?

souffle · 07-16-2016, 05:05 AM

Good for you in taking them in. It depends how long they have been together as to what has been going on. In poor conditions females may not come in to heat and therefore not mate or they can resorb pups if their body feels it will not cope with pups.
The hamster with a cloudy eye likely had an injury which has resulted in the clouding. It will probably be able to see normally from the other eye if it isn't cloudy.
I hope she isn't pregnant but if she is I'm sure you will cope just fine and so will she.
Good luck!

kmknits · 07-17-2016, 04:25 AM

Update...she looks bigger now and has gained 10g in 3 days so far. She was at 138 on Wednesday and then 148 on Saturday...by far my biggest hamster, lol. The boys both only weigh in around 120. Pregnancy watch is nerve wracking when you have to leave for vacation!

WinnieTheHam · 07-18-2016, 04:19 AM

It does sound like she's pregnant. Most likely past the 10 day mark by now seeing as she's gained a lot of weight in a short amount of time, as well as looking a lot bigger. Who's looking after them? It might be a good idea for them to note down when she looks thinner than usual. You'll know the birth date then and when to separate the hamsters at 4 weeks old. If not then that's fine, you'll be able to guess their age when eyes open around 2 weeks old. Fingers crossed everything goes well for her.

kmknits · 07-19-2016, 05:09 AM

My son and his girlfriend are quietly checking on them daily and making sure she doesn't run out of food etc...they know what signs to look for, so I hope to get some good news soon. Had I known what would transpire, I wouldn't have planned to be away, but rescue work is unpredictable, at best, lol. Thank you for the well wishes...I'll share news once I get it! Thank goodness we'll be home Thursday night...I am a nervous wreck, even dreaming about my hamsters, lol.

Pebbles82 · 07-19-2016, 07:10 AM

Lol I know that feeling (dreaming about hamsters!) I worried every night when we were away for 3 days ha ha.