HELP THIS IS AN EMERGANCY

Question
QUESTION: hello, i pains me deeply to say my hamster was chewed and killed by my dog but that is not why im here. the thing is the hamster was a mother, her babies are around 3 to 3 1/2 weeks old. WHAT DO I DO. someone in my family suggest calling the pet store and asking something about a mother hamster what do i do?

ANSWER: DON'T PANIC!!!!  If the babies are more than 3 weeks old they will survive without their mum - some people take them away from their mum at 31/2 weeks - in any event they have to be sexed and separated at 4 weeks, so this shouldn't be a problem.  DO NOT try and put them with another mother hamster or she will kill them.  

You need to supplement their food - get a packet of baby food (the one that is for human babies - it is a powder - get any type - porridge oats, rice or another type that is suitable for babies 4-6 months - if you can't get the powder type, then you could try the small jars of baby food - but I've always found the powder especially the creamy porridge oats to be the most popular).  Mix this with water and put a small dish full in their cage twice a day.  This will increase the amount of nourishment they are getting.  Make sure they have a variety of foods.  

If you are worried about any of them, do get back in touch with me.  Good luck with this.

Regards


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: hey i have more bad news, our cats got to the cage but we have 5. Still missing 2, unfortunatly we just notice one of the hamsters that fell extremly weak and the eyes will not open. any suggestions? we are going to seprate that hamster and feed it kitten milk and i have read that you should wipe the eyes gently with a wet cloth to help open them what should i do?

Answer
So sorry you're having such bad luck with your hamsters.  Hamsters often get 'sticky eyes' when they are stuck together after a long sleep.  In this case, gently wash the area with warm water and normally the hamster will open their eyes and clean themselves.  It is important for them to do this as otherwise if their eyes stay closed for several days pus will start to form underneath them.

Regards