Hamster Pups and Fur

Question
My hamster had pups a week ago.  She gave birth and made her nest in the upper part of a crittertrail cage.  We found out that they might be small enough to climb out of the bars, so we took the hold "petting zone" and moved it into a aquarium.  She still is nursing in the "petting zone".  It is getting very moist in that area, we have been wiping it every time she leaves for food.  It looks like she is starting to get a fur disease from the moisture, you can see a pic here: http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k39/Yummyyumm/5710082f.jpg

Now I just have a couple of questions:

Should we take some of the wet litter from around the nest and replace it with new litter?

Is there always a runt?  (we have one)

What do you think about the fur?


Thank you for all of your help.

Answer
Hi Eric,

You can replace some of the litter with new litter if you're very, very careful not to touch the babies.  I know the petting zone has a lid - have you removed it?  If you haven't, I would encourage you to do so.  Humidity builds in it very easily.  Your hamster's fur is wet because of it.  (I couldn't really tell from the picture; it just looked like wet spots to me.)

There isn't always a runt, but many times there is.  As long as he's able to get milk from his mother, there's nothing to worry about.

Have a great day!

If you have any other questions, please feel free to ask.

Kelly