Mommy Teddy Bear Died!!!

Question
Hello, Two weeks ago I purchased a Teddy Bear hamster from my local pet store...to my surprise she was pregnant & had 7 babies one week ago today. I went to chk on her today & it appears that she is dead & the babies are still nursing from her...what do I do??? Is there anything I can do??? I am so upset & don't understand how this could happen????

Answer
Hi Tammie

I'm so sorry to read your email - this is really sad.  There's not much you can do as the babies are so young.  However, the only chance you have is to immediately get in touch with your vet - they have a special powdered milk which can be given to orphaned babies.  Human or cat milk cannot as they can't digest it - but your vet should let you have a small supply of their special powdered milk.  You mix it up with a small amount of water - just enough so it goes through a dropper and then you need to feed the babies every hour or two 24 hours a day for the next week.  Once they are 10 days - 2 weeks old you can give them some human baby food to supplement their diet.  It is really this next week that is the most crucial.  Also, at this age they can die from hypothermia really quickly as their body temperature drops so rapidly and they therefore need to be kept warm all the time - warming them in your hands is the best way.  I only know of one case where this has been succssful with such a young litter - and then only two survived.  It is  a lot to expect of anyone, and I think you need to prepare yourself for losing the litter  - but if you have a vet you can get to immediately you might stand a chance - even if you only save one of the babies.  He might recommend putting the litter to sleep instead so that you don't have to distress yourself any more.

Obviously the mum must have been very ill - or the pregnancy was too much for her to cope with and there were complications.

I wish you all the best with this - please let me know how you get on.

Regards