Update on the rescued gerbil mom:
She went over six hours without nurturing the pups. So
I did try to foster two of the pups to the other
mother. That went fine and she has just settled down
to nurse. Once I took away two of the newborns, that
mom decided to become a good mother and gradually
began to nurture and nurse. Now What I don't know is,
do I leave the fostered ones in the other mother's
care? Or try to put them back with their own mother.
Yes the dead pups were removed. Not immediately but
two hours later, and after the point where she stopped
nursing them and went batty. Mainly because I did not
know about their death till I awoke. When I went to
bed I knew they were not going to make it. It was the
last two that were undeveloped.
I figured it was the lack of nutrition before I got
her that might have made the babies so small. I just
did not know for sure what to do to help her out. The
only time in the past that I ever lost a whole litter
of pups was when Scrap, my first female, was getting
old. Her last litter was only two pups and one died
shortly after birth. The other a few days later
because I assume she could not produce enough milk
without enough demand to make her produce.
The mother never tried to destroy the dead pups, she
kind of had them burried under the rest, and under
some litter. I will of course take the neccessary
precautions to help prevent infection in the pup with
the missing nose. Poor thing. I am not sure he is even
nursing. I don't want to disturb the mother at this
time for fear she will act all dazed and confused
again. He was breathing and moving. I wonder how
developed their little pain receptors are at this
stage.
As for the towel, I did think of that, but was afraid
such a change would be just as disturbing as messing
with the pups too much in her case. But after the
suggestions here I went ahead and did it. It may have
helped. She did settle down a bit after quite a while.
Or maybe she just wore herself out.
Anyway, thanks to those with advice. and any
suggestions on wether to leave the fosters where they
are or not, would be welcome.
--- Evans <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
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