> 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.
[I sent a reply privately, this one is public...]
This does seem to support my belief that the
mother was stressing out period. Over her
being a mother. Removing a few of the pups
reduced the stressing factors, and allowed
her to settle down.
Sometimes a female hamster will destroy part
of her litter, making it smaller, and easier to
care for...and reducing the stress. In gerbils,
it seems to manifest as you mentioned this
female doing.
>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.
Don't put them back. If the foster mom is doing well
and the little ones are getting enough to eat, then
leave them where they are.
Sometimes if a very large litter comes along with
a few small ones around the same time, 'evening
out the litters' by moving a few often helps all
the females involved.
> 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.
Or that she is a young female, and first litter,
and fairly large, and possibly the genetics
contributing as well.
> 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.
This is one case where fostering a few more
pups to her of the same age or close will help....
or getting a few pinkie mice and fostering them.
Either will assist in making sure there is enough
milk produced.
> 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.
It sounds like such a severe injury that the pain
receptors have probably ceased to function.
You could try offering him some KMR, as well
as a little to the others in the litter and the mother...
just a few sips...so everyone smells the same.
> Anyway, thanks to those with advice. and any
> suggestions on wether to leave the fosters where they
> are or not, would be welcome.
Luck
Deb
Rebel's Rodent Ranch
