TinysMom
Well-Known Member
Athena had two babies born two weeks ago this Saturday. Normally she's a great mom - this litter - I'm not so sure.
The day before yesterday - one baby was found dead in her cage. It was maimed and she was grooming it. The only thing we can think of is that it jumped out and scared her and she hurt it - and then tried to groom it once she realized it was hers...but it died anyway. I didn't see the baby - Art found it and disposed of it and his comments were "it was quite dead by she was trying to groom it. It was also bigger than the one that is left..".
I got nervous and took out the remaining baby since she seemed skittish and have been taking it back to her several times per day. She will groom it and let it try to nurse but there never seems to be any milk - or not much milk. I can't find any signs of mastitis.
Yesterday I finally broke down and started giving it formula because it seemed like if it got any milk - it wasn't nearly enough.
Part of me wants to return the baby to her as she's pretty good with it - but she still seems skittish when it tries to nurse. I'm not sure what is happening with her.
So here are my questions:
The day before yesterday - one baby was found dead in her cage. It was maimed and she was grooming it. The only thing we can think of is that it jumped out and scared her and she hurt it - and then tried to groom it once she realized it was hers...but it died anyway. I didn't see the baby - Art found it and disposed of it and his comments were "it was quite dead by she was trying to groom it. It was also bigger than the one that is left..".
I got nervous and took out the remaining baby since she seemed skittish and have been taking it back to her several times per day. She will groom it and let it try to nurse but there never seems to be any milk - or not much milk. I can't find any signs of mastitis.
Yesterday I finally broke down and started giving it formula because it seemed like if it got any milk - it wasn't nearly enough.
Part of me wants to return the baby to her as she's pretty good with it - but she still seems skittish when it tries to nurse. I'm not sure what is happening with her.
So here are my questions:
- What could make mama's milk dry up if not mastitis?
- How long should I continue giving the baby formula? It is 11 days old.
- Do I still need to try to make it pee or will it do so on its own? (I have been trying to stimulate it but it doesn't pee for me but I have seen it try to squat in the little box I have it in)
- Would you return the baby to mama if mama was skittish? Or would you keep the baby separate?