baby(runt) not doing well

Question
Our hamsters had a litter of five, with one much smaller than the rest. They are about four weeks now. The runt is much smaller than the rest, had much less fur, and has now lost most of the fur. It also seems to walk funny-like it is trying to keep it's but in the air.  He drinks and eats and waddles around the cage. We were told we didn't need to separate mom and dad right away...so she just had a second litter a few days ago.  I left the runt in with mom hoping that she would nurse her longer and that the baby would gain strength.  What could cause the lack of hair and hair loss, and the funny walking?? Anything we can give her to make her chances better?

Answer
Hi Joy

A few points: What type of hamsters are these - are they Syrian or dwarf hamsters?

With dwarf hamsters, these mate the same day the female gives birth - so if dad is still with them she may well be pregnant again!  If these are dwarf hamsters, then dad can stay with the boys from the first litter.  If they are Syrian, then he needs his own cage anyway otherwise he could kill the babies.

Unfortunately sometimes the runt is disabled, or hasn't grown correctly in the womb because they are squashed by the other babies.  Some disabilities aren't a problem - in that cages etc can be adapted, but there could be other things going on inside him, which you're not going to know about for a while - i.e. if any organs haven't developed properly.

It sounds as though he needs extra nourishment right now.  If you buy a packet of human baby food - the powdered variety - mine love 'creamy porridge oats', but you can experiment to see what he likes.  Mix a small amount (about a teaspoonful) with water and give him this to eat every day.  This will give him plenty of vitamins and help him gain weight.  The other babies from the first litter can also have this for a week or two.  If the mum is pregnant again you need to be careful feeding her this as you don't want her unborn babies to grow too big or there may be complications with labor, however, if she isn't pregnant, or once the next litter is born you can feed her this food too.  It will help build her strength especially as she's had two litters very close together.

I'm afraid it is a case of waiting to see what happens - providing he is eating/drinking and is able to get around albeit in a strange way, then he should be fine.  If he stops eating and sits around feeling cold, or looking dull, then you will know that there are other factors at work, in which case you should get him to a vet.  Don't worry too much about the fur loss - he may look a bit odd, but obviously his immune systems isn't that great.  Once he gets a bit bigger then his fur may grow back - but I've had several hamsters over the year who have lost their fur completely or have bald patches and they are OK.  So long as the skin isn't sore, scabby, flaky, red, weeping - then it is OK - if any of these symptoms appear you need to get the vet to check it out so that they can prescribe the relevant medication to sort out the problem.

Hope this helps you.  Do let me know how you get on.

Good luck.
Regards