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Post by chloejane on Mar 8, 2014 8:19:33 GMT -8
So my gerbil snowy gave birth to 7 pups, they are currently 9 days old and the mother has rejected them. I was wondering what I could do to hand rear them, I have droppers, syringes and kitten milk as a replacement, can someone give me advice on how often to feed them? How much to feed them? And how long will I need to hand rear them until they are weaned? Any advice I'd be grateful  |
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Post by johanne on Mar 8, 2014 23:22:17 GMT -8
The odds on being able to successfully hand rear gerbil pups from that age are somewhere between very slim and none. I would try to either adjust her environment and food such that she takes over their care again, or find a foster mom (any rodent species pretty much will do). Those are your only realistic options if you want those pups to make it. It's very unusual for a mother to reject her pups at that age. Can you tell us more about what her home, bedding and surroundings are like, and what you're feeding her?
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Post by chloejane on Mar 9, 2014 9:01:15 GMT -8
The odds on being able to successfully hand rear gerbil pups from that age are somewhere between very slim and none. I would try to either adjust her environment and food such that she takes over their care again, or find a foster mom (any rodent species pretty much will do). Those are your only realistic options if you want those pups to make it. It's very unusual for a mother to reject her pups at that age. Can you tell us more about what her home, bedding and surroundings are like, and what you're feeding her? Well her home is just simply a large gerbilarium (I understand a tank would have been better), I use shavings (non scented) will toilet paper bedding, my gerbils surroundings are very quiet as they are in my room, I always got worried about them being in loud surroundings and I feed her the (if I'm naming the correct name) wagg mix for gerbils, hamsters and mice. The babies have been hand reared for just over a day now and seem to be doing well, they are currently doing well. I did ring a few vets and pets at home for advice and I explained the situation of the mother rejecting the pups and they said that because of what was going on hand rearing would be the best option. |
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Post by johanne on Mar 9, 2014 17:29:00 GMT -8
You didn't mention another adult gerbil being with the pups now. I hope there is one to teach the pups how to be gerbils and to keep them the correct temperature?
You don't mention what sort of shavings you're using. If it's pine I suggest switching to aspen to reduce the risk of respiratory infections, particularly when the pups are being weaned, if they make it that far.
I would also suggest using a kitchen scale to weigh the pups daily. If they're not eating enough or otherwise not well, they will appear fine for the first couple of days. By the time it's obvious there's something wrong it may be too late. The only way to know for sure if they're actually doing well is if you know they're gaining about 1 gram per day.
Do be very careful with the syringe. It's incredibly easy to accidentally kill them if they aspirate, get milk in their lungs.
Wagg's is low in protein for lactation. You'd need to supplement that with something (dry dog or cat food, nuts, mealworms, etc) so a mum with 9 pups would be able to produce enough milk for them.
Good luck! Let us know how they do. It would be nice to hear of someone successfully hand rearing a litter like that.
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Post by chloejane on Mar 9, 2014 23:35:26 GMT -8
You didn't mention another adult gerbil being with the pups now. I hope there is one to teach the pups how to be gerbils and to keep them the correct temperature? You don't mention what sort of shavings you're using. If it's pine I suggest switching to aspen to reduce the risk of respiratory infections, particularly when the pups are being weaned, if they make it that far. I would also suggest using a kitchen scale to weigh the pups daily. If they're not eating enough or otherwise not well, they will appear fine for the first couple of days. By the time it's obvious there's something wrong it may be too late. The only way to know for sure if they're actually doing well is if you know they're gaining about 1 gram per day. Do be very careful with the syringe. It's incredibly easy to accidentally kill them if they aspirate, get milk in their lungs. Wagg's is low in protein for lactation. You'd need to supplement that with something (dry dog or cat food, nuts, mealworms, etc) so a mum with 9 pups would be able to produce enough milk for them. Good luck! Let us know how they do. It would be nice to hear of someone successfully hand rearing a litter like that. Oh sorry, both the vets and pets at home told me to keep both the mum and dad away from the pups, and my bedding is aspen I am keeping log of each pups condition each day; one of the pups seem to be the runt so we are making sure he takes in the milk and another male his claw is dangling off, so I'm going to contact the vet again today just to see if they need to be checked over. But I will keep you updated on how the pups go and fingers crossed if not all-that some pull through |
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Post by chloejane on Mar 10, 2014 8:43:58 GMT -8
Is there any way I can attach an image of the gerbils as i would like to show you their progress over the last day they have got a lot more active, and have made a lot of improvement:)
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Post by Demonic Hope on Mar 10, 2014 8:50:12 GMT -8
Yes. First upload your photo to tiny pic or Photobucket. Then copy the link that contains the IMG code. On Tiny pic it will say for message boards. The just copy and paste it into your post.
Good luck with the pups
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Post by chloejane on Mar 10, 2014 10:26:13 GMT -8
Yes. First upload your photo to tiny pic or Photobucket. Then copy the link that contains the IMG code. On Tiny pic it will say for message boards. The just copy and paste it into your post. Good luck with the pups Thank you for that, I shall paste a link now |
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Post by chloejane on Mar 10, 2014 10:27:03 GMT -8
So the gerbils have been hand reared for 2 days and all seem to be making good progress, they are moving around more, eating more and keeping warm  |
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Post by chloejane on Mar 10, 2014 10:27:30 GMT -8
So the gerbils have been hand reared for 2 days and all seem to be making good progress, they are moving around more, eating more and keeping warm They are 10 days old! |
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Post by danw19 on Mar 10, 2014 11:18:01 GMT -8
Awwww, what cute little nuggets. Good luck, hopefully we will see 7 healthy gerbils in a month
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Post by Demonic Hope on Mar 10, 2014 11:24:20 GMT -8
AWWW so cute.
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Post by streetwisegerbil on Mar 10, 2014 12:01:04 GMT -8
Beautiful.
I can see a lovely badger type on the left.
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Post by chloejane on Mar 10, 2014 12:13:25 GMT -8
Thank you for your kind comments, I will keep you all informed on how they get on |
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Post by chloejane on Mar 13, 2014 14:34:56 GMT -8
So the gerbils are now 2 weeks old and are all still with us, their teeth have came through and they are very mobile now, they are very funny running around. I've included a picture I've literally just took after feeding, but you can't see them properly as it is quite dark, but enjoy  |
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