Sad, sad news... :*(

Beowolf72 · 06-25-2007, 02:01 AM

Well today Piper gave birth to one pup. Unfortunatly, the pup didn't survive past an hour.

So right now we are letting her rest, and giving her pleanty of food, and when she is awake, my wife is talking with her.

Maybe at a future date we will try to breed her again. But for now, we are leaving her to her own cage.

Holly · 06-25-2007, 02:06 AM

I'm really sorry to hear that

Just one thing - I'm certainly not an expert breeder but I think one baby is quite unusual (though not unheard of). Are you sure there are not other pups stuck? Does she seem distressed at all?

Here's hoping not but it's just a thought. I hope she's doing ok and recovering.

Beowolf72 · 06-25-2007, 02:09 AM

Well she is hopping around the cage, and she stills seems swollen in her stomach area, so we aren't for sure if she's done.

So I dunno if she's still trying to birth another pup or not.

Holly · 06-25-2007, 02:12 AM

Hmmm...how long since the first one was born? As far as I know birth for hamsters is usually very straightforward and over in around an hour - eben if there are lots of babies. They apparently show very little distress or signs of pain.

If she's distressed and it's been a long time I think she might be having trouble giving birth - it's called dystocia, I believe. I think you should phone your vet for advice now.

Good luck

souffle · 06-25-2007, 02:17 AM

Holly is right that one pup is unusual. There can be problems with stuck pups in breech position or infections. Usually the mums appear much thinner suddenly after all the pups have been born so if she still looks large after a few hours you may need to take her to the vet. Are you sure there are no more pups hidden? Try and leave her peacefully as any disturbance may hinder the birth. If she is still swollen by late afternoon I think you should have her checked by the vet. Take her whole cage to give her a little stress as possible. Cover it with a blanket so she is dark. So sorry about the lost pup. Sometimes it happens and it must not have been strong enough. This also might indicate a problem with the rest if they are still inside the mother.
Fingers crossed all is well

Holly · 06-25-2007, 02:22 AM

I'm glad you are here, Souffle - I wasn't enjoying the responsibility of giving advice on this one.

My fingers are also crossed for little Piper.

SnuggleHam · 06-25-2007, 04:57 AM

Awww, I hope that all turns out okay, my fingers are crossed as well.

Beowolf72 · 06-25-2007, 09:57 AM

Well this morning she is doing fine. No more pups were found in her cage. I am going to be taking her to work just to keep an eye on her.

It's weird though, she seems VERY docile right now. When I put my hand in her cage to give her a treat, she walked right up to me and gently took the treat out of my hand. Which she has never done. Usually she, like the other Robo's, run around like the world is coming to an end. But this time, she just walked over, sniffed my hand, and took the treat.

souffle · 06-25-2007, 10:02 AM

Has her tummy gone down? The change in behaviour may indicate illness or an infection. If pups die inside the mum they set up an infection in the womb which can prove fatal. Is there any discharge or is she drinking a lot.

Beowolf72 · 06-25-2007, 11:06 AM

No, I haven't seen any discharge. And I just filled her water bottle up because she had thrown some of her bedding on it and the bottle leaked. But I haven't seen her go and drink alot.