Pregnant hamster- remove wheel? - Page 2 - Paw Talk

Brenna · #16 04-17-2009, 06:11 PM

OK thanks! I really hope she doesn't abandon them, because it sounds like a lot of work.... On the other hand, I almost want her to so I get to keep them a while longer. She looks bigger today and has a large nest on one side of the cage, and a small on on the other that she has been sleeping in. Now she doesn't run away when I open the cage (she still doesn't seem to trust me much, I've been working with her), I think she is tired and the weight of the babies is hard for her to move around with. I'm expecting the babies tonight

, so I'll post when they come!

RodentzRule · #17 04-18-2009, 03:53 AM

YAY! I hope so! The big nest is for babies so when you see her go in there you will know that she is gonna give birth! Good luck!

LuvPets · #18 04-18-2009, 10:42 AM

EEEEE!! I can't wait! I am so excited for you!!

Brenna · #19 04-18-2009, 06:46 PM

They came home earlier than I thought!!! My neighbors got back at 4:00pm today and came to get the hamsters at 5:30pm, so I explained that the female was having her babies. The kid's mom readily said that I could keep her for at least another day if I wanted too, I didn't even have to say that the mom should probably stay with me for a while! The female WAS going into labor but all the people and noise scared her so she still hasn't had the babies yet. The kid's mom also looked at the female and said "She looks bigger than I remember from last time", so I think there will be more than 5 babies (which can be bad because it will be hard to find homes for them, but it's not going to be my problem haha but I might help). I've been checking on her every hour or so I can make sure she's okay. I know there's a good chance that the mother will abandon them, so I'm glad that I will have them for a few days so I can keep an eye on them. If she does abandon them, I will offer to keep the babies until they are at least a week old and can eat food on their own because it will be a lot of work to take care of the babies and feed them, and I don't think they will want to do that (or even find out how).

I just wanted to say THANK YOU EVERYONE WHO HAS HELPED ME DURING THIS WHOLE PROCESS!!! I've gotten a lot of great advice from you that I don't think I could've gotten anywhere else, I will continue to keep you updated on these little babies!

RodentzRule · #20 04-19-2009, 02:30 AM

Hey, thats good news that the mom let you have her for at least another day, lets hope that she is more sensible than the rest of them and lets you help out. Now she has been scared out of labour I am 75% sure she will abandon them. Good luck!

Brenna · #21 04-19-2009, 05:10 PM

She STILL has not had the babies and she is getting bigger and her eyes look funny and kinda bugged out like she in pain. I get to keep her at least for a day or two after she has the babies, so I'm glad that I will be able to keep an eye on her. I've been checking on her every hour and keeping the lights dim, I keep the door closed so my dog won't get in (Suzi, my dog, loves to watch her but I think it scares her). I am estimating that there will be about 8 babies, but it could be anywhere from 7 to 10 or possibly 11. She is REALLY big now, if I put her on her back she can't get back up by herself. I only have two questions right now, what can I use if she abandons them? Puppy formula? Baby formula? Or just regular milk heated in the microwave? Also, can I remove the babies from the cage and keep them seperate from the mom? Thanks!

RodentzRule · #22 04-19-2009, 05:16 PM

You can use either, it wont make a difference, and yes you can, that is probably best. Good luck, if she doesnt have them by tomorrow-day after she will need a vet...

Brenna · #23 04-19-2009, 05:35 PM

I can't really pay for a vet, if my neighbors want to pay for it then they can. Which is cheaper, baby formula or puppy formula? It would be a lot easier just to use regular milk, but I guess that won't work. If the mother abandons them, I'll move them to a different cage/box so it will be easier to care for them. Should I use a heating lamp? I have one because I used it when I raised ducklings, it will keep them warm. I don't know what I will do if she doesn't have the babies by tomorrow, it's been a week since she was noticeably gaining weight.

RodentzRule · #24 04-19-2009, 05:43 PM

Ok, you should use a heating pad but a lamp will work. I think baby milk is cheaper, the regular milk has too much calcium and stuff for them to handle. If she goes to her nest just leave the room, pretty much just leave her alone now, she will not want to give birth infront of people so she may be holding back... Good luck!

Brenna · #25 04-19-2009, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RodentzRule


	she will not want to give birth infront of people so she may be holding back

I think that may be part of the problem, she has been getting a lot of attention in the past few days and she doesn't seem to trust people very much. I will leave her alone for the next few days and check her once in a while to make sure she's OK and see if she had her babies. Will I be able to save the babies if she abandons them before they are a week old?

RodentzRule · #26 04-20-2009, 12:34 AM

Yes, many are abandoned as soon as they are born, im sorry to say you may lose the runt if she does...

Brenna · #27 04-20-2009, 03:10 PM

Good news! They were born around 5:00am, I am a light sleeper so I woke up because I heard the babies squeaking. The mother has not abandoned any (yet). When she left the nest to get water, I counted 8 babies on top and could tell there were at least 2 underneath so there's about 10, maybe more. They are bright red/pink and not even an inch long. Now I will keep them at least 3-4 days, maybe more, because I want to keep an eye on them. They look weird right now, but they can't help it

. I am excited, I hope they all live, but I don't know how my neighbors will find homes for all of them! I have asked a lot of people I know, but nobody really wants hamsters because they have other pets, like dogs or cats. I may end up keeping a few, I'm not sure.

RodentzRule · #28 04-21-2009, 01:20 AM

Awww, Im so happy and exited! Im glad she didnt abandon them

I dont know how you wont be able to find homes for adorable little baby hams, just remeber dont touch them or the momma until they are weaned, the only thing you can do in the cage is change the food/water. Im so happy, keep us posted

LuvPets · #29 04-21-2009, 03:57 PM

Wow! I've been gone for a few days! What a saga for you!!! I'm am soooo happy all is going well!! Keep us posted!

Brenna · #30 04-21-2009, 05:09 PM

She's doing great so far! Everytime I check on her (not very frequently, I don't want to scare her!) she is nursing the babies. I was wondering, since she has about 10 babies, will all of them survive? She can only nurse 6 babies at a time, and I can hear them squeaking (I assumed it was because they weren't currently nursing). I'm a bit worried that some of the weaker babies that can't fight for themselves won't be able to survive. Thanks!