Button

[Maz]

I'm literally going to ask them since you mentioned it, they just advised us not to use it for a period of time due to some unspecified pathogen. They did also check, he isn't diabetic.

Button is already mellowed out from the vet visit, he was out and okay with me sitting by him. He does keep getting thinner, but is still super active. I might give him more of his beloved cashews, he has always been a picky eater. I want to help keep his weight up so he can enjoy his wheel.

Here he is zooming along: Out and About

Ask to see a water test report maybe. I think they only have to advise you not to use it and don't have to tell you what the issue is but it could be worth asking what the issue was with the water and is it going to be rectified. Either way, the antibiotics should help hopefully. When they do water testing, it helps if they test the hot water as well. Sometimes the hot water is fine if the water heater has done it's job and killed off any bugs. But the water needs to be set at 60 degrees for that to happen. So then at least when washing things, you'd know the hot water is safe.

 

[Zara]

So sorry to hear your trip to the vet has been a worry and hope the antibiotics can help. Button is looking very agile in his wheel, what a super video

 

[ilguy]

Aw Button is looking full of beans. What food mix are you feeding? Elusive has experience with Chinese hamsters so I am sure she will be able to recommend a food mix for him.

He's on Higgins Sunburst, he mostly prefers the seeds and will not eat the little pellets. I tried giving him live mealworms and crickets, but he didn't take to either for the longest time. I did also try chicken to no avail. The past few days he did finally take dried mealworms, I've been adding some in so he can get some protein. As I understand it, he's losing a lot of protein through his urine now. Any suggestions I'll gladly try

 

[ilguy]

Ask to see a water test report maybe. I think they only have to advise you not to use it and don't have to tell you what the issue is but it could be worth asking what the issue was with the water and is it going to be rectified. Either way, the antibiotics should help hopefully. When they do water testing, it helps if they test the hot water as well. Sometimes the hot water is fine if the water heater has done it's job and killed off any bugs. But the water needs to be set at 60 degrees for that to happen. So then at least when washing things, you'd know the hot water is safe.

Good idea, I texted my landlord and will see what details she has. I happen to have the building's water heater in my unit, they did replace it a few months ago

 

[Maz]

Good to hear Button has got over his vet visit well

 

[elusive]

It’s a tricky one with kidney problems & protein, you do need to try to give adequate protein but keep levels low, the more protein he has the more strain it puts on the kidneys.
I would leave out the higher protein foods like mealworms & chicken.
Some nuts would be ok, buckwheat is a really good all round food, either in the shell or shelled but not roasted, not sure if it’s called buckwheat groats where you are, mine all love that & it has a lot of benefits so you could try putting some in with his mix.
A small amount, maybe a teaspoon of porridge/oatmeal just made with water is good too.

 

[elusive]

I forgot, I’d also suggest giving him some flax seeds/linseed daily, there may be some in his mix but a good pinch extra daily will be good for him, high in healthy fats, good protein but not too much & a really good supplemental food to help keep skin & fur in good condition.

 

[RainbowBrite]

Higgins Vita Garden is meant to be a better mix as it does not contain fruit. Elusive has given you great tips for his diet.

 

[Maz]

I'll second the linseeds/flax seeds

 

[Member ID2]

All ours get a pinch of brown linseeds daily and they come looking for them.

I got into the habit of offering them to Robo Bernard on my hand. He climbs on it and expects them on my hand.

 

[ilguy]

Thanks for the advice guys, it's much appreciated. It's tough since Button rarely eats protein at all. I picked up some flax & buckwheat on my way home, hopefully that bit of extra fat will help the little guy maintain weight. I also noticed upon coming home that Button's enclosure is much less smelly, hoping that's a good sign.

I did also learn what was in the water, it was e coli and multiple types of fecal bacteria.

 

[Maz]

That sounds typical if there's no water filter. I hope your landlords will sort uv filtration! I learned a bit about it when we moved here - the uv tube needs to be big enough to deal with the number of properties it is supplying water to (the flow rate for the total number of properties has to be calculated) and needs replacing every 9 months to a year. If someone got ecoli from it they could be sued! In the Uk anyway. Some commercial premises have chlorine in addition to uv filters just to be sure.

 

[elusive]

If his enclosure is smelling less that could well be a positive sign, maybe there is an infection & the antibiotics are helping with that.
Hope he enjoys the flax & buckwheat & they give him a bit of a boost.

 

[ilguy]

The past week has been a sad one, Button is slowing down noticably and out much less. The smell is completely gone, his kidneys could be failing. He doesn't use his wheel much, the few times I've seen him he will come out and pick somewhere to sit for a bit.

It's near the end of his antibiotics, last dose will be tomorrow. He's still a complete angel when held, no difficulty at all with taking meds. He did enjoy the flax the few times he tried it, but his appetite is also going sadly.

I did an extra health check on him tonight, found him in his burrow under the wheel and held him for a bit. It was the perkiest he's been all week, had his normal energy for a few minutes. The area around his eyes is also black now, and he has lost more weight.

I'm taking him to the vet tomorrow, and expect we might have to consider putting him down.

 

[elusive]

I’m so very sorry ilguy, such sad news, I wish I could suggest something to help but even with kidney failure I don’t recognise all the symptoms.
It’s some comfort that he is still fine with you handling him, that does suggest that he isn’t in pain or distress & it’s lovely that he trusts you like that.
I hope things go ok at the vet & he can still remain comfortable for a little while yet.

 

[Frida]

I'm so sorry to hear Button is still unwell. I hope all goes well at the vets. Sending you both hugs from Albert and me

 

[Member ID2]

I'm so sorry to hear that Button is still losing weight and not himself.
Do you think that he could have an illness caused by the contaminated water?
Either way, i don't think there's much else the vet can do. Sadly, hamsters have such sensitive systems that once an illness takes hold they can decline fairly quickly.
I've seen it so many times in my own hamsters.
I would have thought that the absence of the smell is a positive sign though and cleared an infection. Antibiotics themselves can take their toll but losing weight isn't good.
Are Button's teeth ok? Have you tried baby food or porridge?

 

[RainbowBrite]

I am so sorry to hear such sad news about Button. I am thinking of you and hope the vet appointment goes well.

 

[Maz]

I am very sorry to hear this. My first thought was - it could be the antibiotics - it can affect some hamsters. My first robo looked terrible when he was on them - really ropey. But once he finished them his appearance improved within a few days. Do you think it could be worth waiting a few days after the antibiotics? But obviously if you think he is really suffering.... And going to the vet is a good idea.

 

[RainbowBrite]

I hope you and Button are doing okay.