My Female is not delivering her babies!

[davydd23]

My female gerbil is pregnant with her second litter and is on day 31 by my count. She is clearly ready to give birth as she is very large, but seems either unwilling or unable. She has been acting a little weird for her, but that could be due to the fact she tired from pregnancy and dealing with 7 pups who continue to hound her. She is eating and drinking, but doesn't like some of her normal favorites. She lays around a lot up top out of the bedding.

Two days ago, I could see the babies moving in her belly and assumed we were within hours of giving birth. She still hasn't given birth that I can tell, as she's still quite large, but I haven't seen the babies moving in her belly. Is it possible they died and she didn't give birth or is there still hope? Should I take her to a vet?

[betty]

I think this is one for a vet - at least with a phone call to an exotic vet if you have one. I will tag Shooting Star incase they are online incase they can help.

If you are worried that the pups have died or they are trapped inside her - this could be a medical emergency. I haven't had this happen myself before - so I am not 100% sure of the symptoms, the level of urgency based on what you said or the outcomes from this.


Second litter births can go on for weeks though and I have had many go into the 40 days before giving birth - but laying around up top could be simply that she is too hot or can't fit in the door way/tunnels leading to her nests etc - the kids in the nest are taking up too much room - or she is just too uncomfortable overall.

[Markpd]

Any update on this?