Runt?

[Ben]

Hello all again,

I've another question. Anne (my mother gerbil ;D) had a six more pups about three weeks ago. They've all started to get independent but I've noticed a distinct difference with one pup from the rest.

This pup is smaller, has a really thin tail and seems to lumber around - not uncomfortably I might add but not the usual - hopping, running and crawling like the others...

Upon closer inspection, I think I am seeing the others push the 'runt' around too. The runt seems to just go over to one part of the aquarium and just lick the glass.

I may not have seen this 'runt' gerbil all that much, so I'm unsure of its relationships with the other pups and I may be just picking up on what it's done today as I'm home and keeping close watch on them.

I took the gerbil out for a bit and also realised it clicks sometimes when it breathes? I take it that's a R.I...? What do you think could of caused this and what shall my best course of action be?

Thanks again for your help in advance - I hope the lil 'un will be OK.

Ben

[sandy]

That baby is licking the glass because as they wean they are not getting enough water. Please make sure the water tube is low enough for the little pups to reach it, and also an idea is to give some smaller seeds for the pups to start eating (such as millet or bird seed). Yes, the clicking can be from an RI but usually they don't get sick unless they are already not eating and drinking enough when they are in the weaning stage. The weakness predisposes them to illness.