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Post by rosaponselle on Sept 13, 2004 7:24:57 GMT -8
Sorry to bother u guys.. my niece has a gerbil that has just given birth to one scrawny pup. The pet shop that she got the gerbil from has been pretty unhelpful aside from saying that it won't survive.
If someone can explain to me why it won't survive and what we might do to make it's chances better I'd be eternally grateful. I'd hate to see my 9 year old niece crushed because the pup died.
Thanks in advance.
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Post by blackie on Sept 13, 2004 9:08:27 GMT -8
Oh dear. Is the mother-gerbil a first time mum? I'm not an expert on this because I'm not a gerbil breeder myself. What I've heard is that the mother will have problems producing enough milk because the single pup will not be able to stimulate enough milk.  Very sorry for you. You could always call a veterinary for some expert advice. I'm not sure if you could try feeding this pup kitten replacement milk if it is a newborn ? Does the mother seem very inexperienced? Someone else should answer this post. Maybe you can take a look at some gerbil breeding sites, they have a lot of information on pups and raising them. |
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Post by blackie on Sept 13, 2004 9:23:16 GMT -8
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Post by blackie on Sept 13, 2004 9:27:54 GMT -8
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Post by blackie on Sept 13, 2004 9:35:06 GMT -8
the websites I've looked at suggests that if the mother can not produce enough milk or seems to reject the pups you may try to either hand feed the gerbils OR foster them with another gerbil.
It's probably very difficult to hand feed gerbil pups, you would need a tiny syringe and kitten replacment milk, and only give it one drop at a time. You can read more about this on these pages.
I've never tried this myself. You may have to be prepared that this pup will die. It is only natural that sometimes pups don't make it. Better luck next time. Sorry for your niece.
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Post by rosaponselle on Sept 13, 2004 9:47:22 GMT -8
yup as I understand it.. it's the mum's first litter. thanks for the websites.. I'll have a look and try and find a way to keep this pup alive.
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Post by r8ch on Sept 13, 2004 12:39:55 GMT -8
Hi
Yes I'm afraid i agree with Blackie, it doesn't sound good. Hand rearing a pup is very hard and time consuming. Be prepared to be up every 2 hours and keep the pup at the correct temperature (its hard, I've tried). By all means try to give mum all the help you can nutrition wise, but often in these cases, unless you have another gerbil to foster it, it maybe better to let nature take its course.
Fingers crossed for you and keep us updated
R8ch
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Post by jubileehawker on Oct 12, 2004 11:17:47 GMT -8
Sorry about the pup. Maybe you could hand'feed it with a eye-dropper?
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Post by doomgerbiluk on Oct 12, 2004 12:12:48 GMT -8
first give the mum a chance
my original pairs first litter was just two and I was given the same advice that a mother gerbil will not produce milk for a small number yet she fed them and they grew well and thrived.
Good luck
the chances may be small but whether mum gives it a try or you try hand rearing a small chance is better than no chance
By the way children are far more resilient than you give them credit for. Be honest with her that the pup may not live but you will do all you can for it. As long as she knows you did everything you could she will cope, even though she will be upset. DO NOT lie to her, kids know when your lying and not being able to trust you is far more scary than losing the pup.
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Post by sweetie on Oct 13, 2004 11:58:04 GMT -8
Well I don't think I can offer any additional info. I can agree with the honesty and kids part. I have 2 little ones 2 & 4 and the truth alsways helps them cope better than a lie!
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Very sorry for you. You could always call a veterinary for some expert advice. I'm not sure if you could try feeding this pup kitten replacement milk if it is a newborn ? Does the mother seem very inexperienced? 