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1

Q & A / Re: Help! Chin had Babies!

« on: July 31, 2011, 09:15:14 AM »

Thank you both for the info!

I think the baby is a girl. Now i have another question.

1. I had to put the whole family in a small traveling cage b/c I went home for the weekend and no one was able to watch them. They pretty much have been sitting quietly together, probably b/c they are scared. I've been keeping and eye on the baby and noticed it has a scab on it's right lip. Would that be from the mother or father? (Please know I'll separate the father from the cage again when i return home). Could it also prevent the baby from feeding?

2

Q & A / Help! Chin had Babies!

« on: July 29, 2011, 07:59:12 AM »

Hello! New to forums and posting so please bear with me if mine look strange for awhile…
 
I’ve owned my chinchillas since February of this year and did not realize that they were able to have babies…so on 7/24/11 I woke up to strange noises coming from the cage and saw three beautiful babies under mama. Unfortunately two babies passed on 7/26/11 and left me devastated. So now I want to do everything in my power to make sure the last baby lives! I have some basic questions that I’m sure have been asked time after time after time, but after doing much research and talking to multiple vets who don’t know much about chinchillas…even an exotic vet couldn’t help me, I just want answers! I’ve been going crazy for the past couple of days b/c no two answers are the same! It’s time I got answers from the experts/experienced chin owners.

Questions:
1.      What is the best substitute for the mother’s milk if the baby chin is not getting enough from the mother? – Didn’t know I had to separate mama and papa right after birth so there may be a chance she is prego again (I separated them the day after)… and I’m afraid if she is then the new developing babies could be taking away the nutrients the living baby needs. I also can’t get a straight answer on this via research or from vets.
2.      How much should the baby weigh (baby was born 7/24/11) and how much should it be gaining each day or week? – I looked this up but I’m seeing a lot of different answers and I want a better estimate so I know if I need to step in and hand feed it.
3.      When should the Baby start eating pellets and drinking water?
4.      Should I separate baby and mama on the 8th week?
5.      When can I reunite papa with mama and baby?   
6.      When can the baby and mama start taking dust baths?
 
Sorry for the question overload but I want to make sure I’m doing everything right to ensure the baby lives and mama/papa are happy. Thanks for your help!