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Post by jaeaiur on Mar 14, 2014 3:33:18 GMT -8
Awesome! Look at them growing! Must be hard hand feeding them too.
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Post by MoonstoneGerbils on Mar 14, 2014 5:58:00 GMT -8
They look worse than they did a few days ago.
How much and how often are they getting fed. What ratio of KMR are you feeding? How much are they growing per day? Pups should gain 1g a day.
When you make KMR and you add the water.. i substitute about 1/3 volume of water for heavy cream. To increase the fat.
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Post by chloejane on Mar 14, 2014 8:49:23 GMT -8
Thanks, they have grown loads and put a lot of weight on & I did point out when I posted the picture you can't see them very well because of the image being dark plus sometimes when I feed them I accidentally get the milk down the side of them so their coat looks very wet. they are getting fed every 1-2 hours and I got told to use kitten milk not kitten milk replacement when I had rung a local pet store (which they have a vet in store).
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Post by Shooting Star on Mar 14, 2014 13:14:50 GMT -8
they are getting fed every 1-2 hours and I got told to use kitten milk not kitten milk replacement when I had rung a local pet store (which they have a vet in store). ...So you're milking a cat? I don't understand. If it's not real milk from an actual cat, it's milk replacer. Do you just mean that you have the liquid kind rather than powder?
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Post by MoonstoneGerbils on Mar 14, 2014 13:23:45 GMT -8
I only said they look worse, because they are gaunt. They have no fat on them, whereas the previous picture they looked healthy and a good weight. If they are 15 days old they should be 13-17g or more. They don't look much more than 10g. There is no difference between Kitten milk and KMR. They are both milk substitutes. The only significant difference would be that one might be liquid and one might be powdered. The liquid one expires in 3 days from opening, and the petstore would always suggest that over the one that keeps for months. Simply because you'll have to buy more. To be honest, getting milk replacer from fox valley nutrition would be ideal. They have a more versatile line of products that would be able to simulate gerbil milk better. kitten milk is high in protein, while dog milk is almost equal in fat/protein. If you have a scale, i'd be interested to know how much the pups weigh. If you are getting milk on them, you are feeding them too fast. Pups should be able to drink at their own pace. Giving them too much, or giving it too fast can cause them to inhale it. Which if it doesn't choke them, it can cause respiratory infections. I have modified numerous syringes to simulate a better nipple. The narrower hole on a bic mechanical pencil allows for greater control over flow.
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Post by catnut on Mar 14, 2014 14:38:34 GMT -8
adorable, good luck raising them, that is a lot of work.
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Post by chloejane on Mar 14, 2014 19:52:52 GMT -8
I only said they look worse, because they are gaunt. They have no fat on them, whereas the previous picture they looked healthy and a good weight. If they are 15 days old they should be 13-17g or more. They don't look much more than 10g. There is no difference between Kitten milk and KMR. They are both milk substitutes. The only significant difference would be that one might be liquid and one might be powdered. The liquid one expires in 3 days from opening, and the petstore would always suggest that over the one that keeps for months. Simply because you'll have to buy more. To be honest, getting milk replacer from fox valley nutrition would be ideal. They have a more versatile line of products that would be able to simulate gerbil milk better. kitten milk is high in protein, while dog milk is almost equal in fat/protein. If you have a scale, i'd be interested to know how much the pups weigh. If you are getting milk on them, you are feeding them too fast. Pups should be able to drink at their own pace. Giving them too much, or giving it too fast can cause them to inhale it. Which if it doesn't choke them, it can cause respiratory infections. I have modified numerous syringes to simulate a better nipple. The narrower hole on a bic mechanical pencil allows for greater control over flow. Oh sorry, yeah it's just kitten milk in the liquid form, i do try to feed the gerbils at there own pace but yeah that's one of the problems is the syringe, I will try the bic mechanical pencil thing for the syringe, I did notice myself about two in the litter are slighty smaller than the others. If the milk I use is in liquid form- is there any way of adding more of a fat sourest as when I checked there is only 1.7% in the formula, I don't no if that is enough - I would like to say thanks for the advice though
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Post by MoonstoneGerbils on Mar 15, 2014 8:48:07 GMT -8
You can mix heavy cream into the formula. 1 part heavy cream to three parts formula.
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Post by Downtown Gerbils! on Mar 15, 2014 14:26:00 GMT -8
They are so cute! Good luck I hope the best for them ❤️And it's amazing how you have been their step in mom!
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Post by chloejane on Mar 16, 2014 0:19:39 GMT -8
Thanks for the kind comments once again, unfortunately one of the babies have died ,there was not much I could do for the pup as when I saw her she wasn't very active, but at least she is somewhere safe now . But there is good news - from what I can see the babies are putting weight on and should open their eyes any day from tomorrow. I've included a picture of my favourite gerbil ( I shouldn't choose favourites but I think he is adorable ) he acts like a proper adult gerbil- chewing on my jumper, cleaning himself and digging, he is so funny and the other gerbils are slowly catching onto these characteristics
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Post by chloejane on Mar 16, 2014 0:22:31 GMT -8
I also forgot to mention they are 16 days old and they should slowly being introduced to soft foods in about 4/5 days time.
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Post by chloejane on Mar 16, 2014 3:19:47 GMT -8
Sorry but could I possibly have advice, 2 of the gerbils keep making clicking noises- this indicates to me they might have respiratory infection- if I were to take them to the vets could someone tell me how much it would possibly cost?
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Post by streetwisegerbil on Mar 16, 2014 3:31:24 GMT -8
It varies. It is dependent on which country you are in and even varies between vets in the same city/town. You will pay for the consultation and for the meds.
Meds can save lives so please consider this.
Why not ring a few vets and ask if they are knowledgeable on rodents and their general consultation fees. It is well worth building up a good knowledge of vets and their abilities.
Also, maybe put some cash aside when you can for future vet treatment .
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Post by streetwisegerbil on Mar 16, 2014 4:13:07 GMT -8
I like MoonstoneGerbils' adaptation of the syringe. I have recently discovered that the type of syringe and even the unit measurements can really affect how easy/ hard it is to administer meds (only thing I've administered via syringe) . I like the creativity.
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Post by chloejane on Mar 16, 2014 8:19:22 GMT -8
I like MoonstoneGerbils' adaptation of the syringe. I have recently discovered that the type of syringe and even the unit measurements can really affect how easy/ hard it is to administer meds (only thing I've administered via syringe) . I like the creativity. Well when I fed them earlier they wasn't clicking anymore and they took in plenty of food, I shall see what they are like in the morning and I shall ring a few vets for costs& I must admit I like the adaption of the syringe too but I don't think I am able to do this with mine as it is an awkward shape, I do however have droppers so I could try feeding them with them instead, but feeding with a syringe is much better as you can see how much each gerbil in taking in
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