No Milk Bellies?

[28thrat]

I'm freaking out a little here.

http://www.goosemoose.com/component/option,com_smf/Itemid,118/forum,rat/topic,4033977.0

On the 15th at 3:30PM, Spottyhead gave birth to 7 little eepers. It's now the 17th at 9:30PM, and I'm really worried to the fact that I'm not seeing any milk bellies. I saw some vague ones this afternoon, but now I'm really not seeing even a hint of one. I've seen her nursing, she's still taking care of the babies, I'm worried that she's having some problems producing milk since she's so young.

Do rats of 2/3 days seem to have less apparent bellies? I have no way of getting formula until 2PM tomorrow. Help?

[aphoeniceus]

After a couple days, the eepers skin thickens (they start to develop pigment) and you can no longer see milk bands.  If she is nursing and they are still alive, everything is probably fine

Edited to add that you can always try to supplement with forumla if you feel its necessary.  Not sure what kind you would need to get though.  I think KMR (kitten milk replacer) is what people use.  You can probably do a search to find out.

[28thrat]

Thank you. <3

I have seen some hoodie head/shoulder pigment coming in on the dark eyed babies, as well as a little berkshire. So hopefully that is the case.

[TheChicagoCrew]

 You should be able to clearly see milk bellies throughout their first week. You know for sure that they are suckling? If the mom is tending to them, and they are not becoming dehydrated (would be quite obvious by now) then they are probably OK.

 I just went to look at the photos. They definitely look like big healthy bubs with huge milk bellies in the pics you took on the 15th. Perhaps post another picture?

-Melina

[28thrat]

I'll post some recent pictures now. She is still tending to them like normal, I've seen them nursing several times, but I still can't see any milk bellies. Check the other thread for pictures.