Pup won’t squeak?

[KatnissUna]

My gerbil Rue had 4 pups on the 1st (of this month) she might have had them late, not sure. 
     They are all pretty active and healthy for being born not long ago, ranging from 3.7 grams to 4.2. Strangely enough I’ve always been good at telling sexes not long after they are born, she had 3 girls and a boy. There’s one girl I’m concerned about, Skye. She is not squeaking at all when I pick her up. I use that fact to keep track that the silent one is her, (I can actually tell all the pups apart fine lol) and now I am concerned for Skye. She looks like she is trying to squeak, because she will open her mouth, but no matter how I move her I have not heard a peep.

      If anyone is wondering, the boy is Maverick (he seems to be the runt but he’s very active and strong) the girls are Effie (she’s the loud lighter one in my litter who looks just like Skye) and (named by my friend) Tink. Effie got her name for being the loudest pup in her litter, named after Effie Trinket from The Hunger Games. The name means talkative/well-spoken. Thought I would include names. I know I’m very nosy about names haha.
     Anyways, any advice on if Skye may have something wrong with her would be very helpful. I’m actually quite anxious she might have a defect. She eating fine (gaining good) so I don’t think it’s a cleft pallet or anything.
      Thanks!

[Markpd]

Could she be squeaking at a much higher pitch than a person could hear?
(primarily asking other more experienced gerbil owners).

[betty]

A very interesting question Markpd, and certainly some pup (and gerbil) sounds aren't easily picked up by our ears - but seeing as the other pups can be heard, it is likely that this lack of sound is something specific to her.

I personally wouldn't be concerned health-wise as she is gaining weight and in all other apperances is doing just as well as the others - as well as the fact that there is very little even a vet could do about the lack of vocalisation at this stage.

So if her whiskers seem normal, she's acting the same as her siblings and her mother isn't treating her any differently, then for now I would just observe her and see what, if anything, is different apart from this. Their first moult (you'll see a line appearing across their backs or a triangle on their foreheads) and then their weaning from 3 weeks of age are the next big physical milestones to get past - and as these are both nutritionally demanding and the latter even more so - this would be the time when any hidden congenital developmental issues are most likely to become apparent.

Hopefully, it is just a quirk of her voice - and she will sail into her teenage years without an issue.

[KatnissUna]

Alright, thank you! She was definitely silent for a few days, but Skye seems to be quieter, but I think she does squeak now
She’s the biggest in her litter still <3

[betty]

Biggest of the litter (if still in proportion) is perfect. Glad to hear it.