HELP needed with baby kit???

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travisprime

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My chinchilla just gave birth to 4 kits and 3 of them weigh between 34g - 37g but one of them is really small and only weighs 21g... also the other 3 kits will fight with it but it has no energy to fight back. It does walk tho but no very far and really slow! What can i do to help it survive?

Please need advice :S
 
This is a tough one. If you had three it would be a lot easier, with 4 it's going to be a challenge. If you had 3 you could leave the little one with mom all the time, and rotate out the other two, but with four you can't do that.

I would start immediately supplementing the little one. If he has no energy, he's already on a downhill slope. I would feed him every 2 hours around the clock, then I would pull the other three out of the cage with mom every 2 hours and give him some time with mom by himself, so she can take care of his potty needs as well as giving them mom/kit bonding time and give him a chance to nurse. Feed him after he comes out from mom, not before he goes in.

Put the little guy in a baby safe carrier by himself with a heating pad underneath on low and a stuffie to cuddle up with or a sock with rice in it. Just something to snuggle against. Stimulate his genital and rectal area after you feed him with a very slightly damp, warm, wash cloth or cotton ball.

I have to tell you though, if he's already slow and not walking well, getting beat up and not nursing, his chances are very slim that he'll make it. That may all change with the hand feeding, but just be prepared for the worst.
 
I 100% agree with tunes. He's probably not going to make it. 21 grams is awful small. He really cant afford to loose anymore.
I might add tho if you happen to have any other nursing moms with only 1 kit, they may foster him. Just an idea. Good luck. We'll keep our fingers crossed
 
so what do you use to hand feed the little guy with? what type of food should i be feeding him? i feel so sorry for him. I took him out with mum for about 45 mins and im sure he was nursing as his eyes finally opend and he was moving around a little more?
 
Travis, please check the subforum section of breeding and babies. There is a lot of helpful info on caring for kits and the formula for hand feeding is in there. You have to hand feed every 2 hours so please read this over to get a plan of attack.
 
Sad News :( :(

Thank you everybody for all your help and advice but mainly for all your suport :) but im sad to say that the little girl didnt make it through the night :( and passed away this morning. She was a lovely little girl and will always live up to her name 'Faith'. She will always remain in our heart. Im sorry Faith, i tried my hardest to get you through your struggle :( Forever loved xxx
 
I am so sorry. I kind of figured she wouldnt make it. When they are that small at birth and in that large of a litter it is very hard for them to survive. They are just so tiny. Rip faith....
 
sad news, yet again :(

sadly this week, 2 more kits have passed away :( so out of 4 that were born only one has survived. I have realised that she is not producing milk properly, as there is no sign of teats, so since yesterday (thursday) i have being hand feeding the little girl (violet) and she seems to be doing ok :) she has being gaining weight gradualy :) so hopefully i can help one survive out the bunch. I will keep you all posted on her progress and any advice would be very helpfull and much apreciated :)
sorry i didnt act quicker Faith, Brandy and Henry :( forever remembered in my heart and mind xxx
 
I'm sorry for your loss. I hope your remaining baby is going to be ok. It's really important to make sure that you weigh new kits everyday so that you can monitor for things like that. Real hard lesson learned I guess. I'm so sorry.
 
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