Hello all maybe some of you remember Clover my Syrian who came to us 2 years and 1 month ago. Unfortunately over the last week or so Clover suddenly rapidly deteriorated/aged - from no obvious signs of aging to all signs (matted and in parts greyish fur, difficult to hold his balance, matted eyes, losing weight, teeth too long). I think he’s now about to die any day - he’s only lying curled up in his nest sleeping with rapid breathing. When I take him out I can get him to eat a little bit of cucumber or half a spoonful of scrambled egg or porridge. Yesterday after that he walked around in his cage a bit and burried himself somewhere else. This morning I found him back in his nest. I have two questions: first should I take him to the vet? He’s generally been a seclusive and shy hamster and never had any health issues so this would be the first time I’m taking him to the vet. Am worried about the stress this would cause (and maybe he would die from that). Online I found various opinions. My gut instinct is to not cause him further stress and just leave him coming to his natural end like this. But maybe he’s in pain and needs pain relief? The other question is whether you think he would like to be taken out and held, or just be left alone. As he’s so weak there is no obvious resistance to be taken out and at the moment that’s the only way to make him eat sth. But yesterday after we had taken him out he walked away from his nest and buried himself somewhere else so I was wondering whether that’s a sign he wants to be left alone. Any help would be very much appreciated!!
Clover going downhill
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Hello again. I am so sorry you're having this. These are such difficult decisions.
You think he might be suffering and have some pain. That is very likely, especially if he isn't on any pain relief. They can start getting arthritis or toothache. It sounds like he is still enjoying a bit of food.
However you say his teeth are too long and he has lost a lot of weight. And that could be causing everything. That can mean they can't actually eat if their teeth are too long and that can be a cause of weight loss and could make him very unwell if not getting nutrition. And may be why he is still eating a bit of soft food. Do you put softened food out for him as well as his hamster mix? A good option is a few soaked science selective pellets on a separate dish (just put two or three on a dish and add a drop of boiled water - wait 10 mins or so for it to cool and they are then soft). As well as his regular hamster mix, as they sometimes still like to pouch and hoard it even if they can't eat it. Out of normal habit.
It sounds like he is at least just over 2 years old and that is quite old for a hamster. However it may be that he just needs a bit of help - a tooth trim and some pain relief. Yes it can be stressful for them going to the vets, but sometimes it's necessary rather than them suffer, and the vet can assess the situation.
I think in this situation, if his teeth are too long, then he won't be able to eat and that will be causing some suffering and decline in health. A vet would usually give a whiff of anaesthetic gas for a tooth trim, so he wouldn't know much about it and they may give pain relief at the same time.
Our first Syrian, at 2 years old had something like this (when I didn't know much about hamsters). Overgrown teeth. He did have a tooth trim, could eat again normally and got better. He lived quite happily for another 8 months although had some back leg weakness (which is common as they get older).
Sometimes when they have metacam (pain relief) they can really come round.
So I think it would be good to take him to an exotic vet. Are you in the Uk? Assume you have a pet carrier? Put plenty of bedding in there. If it's large enough (eg guinea pig sized) you could put a small house or cut down tissue box as a house in there as well. A bit of food, a piece of cucumber and a pile of torn up strips of plain white toilet paper. If you say it's urgent then you should be able to get an appointment next day. Explain his teeth are overgrown, he might need a tooth trim and maybe some pain relief.
A vet will assess him. They may be able to help him.
Please let us know how you get on x
Incidentally I've linked your account up again with your previous posts
You think he might be suffering and have some pain. That is very likely, especially if he isn't on any pain relief. They can start getting arthritis or toothache. It sounds like he is still enjoying a bit of food.
However you say his teeth are too long and he has lost a lot of weight. And that could be causing everything. That can mean they can't actually eat if their teeth are too long and that can be a cause of weight loss and could make him very unwell if not getting nutrition. And may be why he is still eating a bit of soft food. Do you put softened food out for him as well as his hamster mix? A good option is a few soaked science selective pellets on a separate dish (just put two or three on a dish and add a drop of boiled water - wait 10 mins or so for it to cool and they are then soft). As well as his regular hamster mix, as they sometimes still like to pouch and hoard it even if they can't eat it. Out of normal habit.
It sounds like he is at least just over 2 years old and that is quite old for a hamster. However it may be that he just needs a bit of help - a tooth trim and some pain relief. Yes it can be stressful for them going to the vets, but sometimes it's necessary rather than them suffer, and the vet can assess the situation.
I think in this situation, if his teeth are too long, then he won't be able to eat and that will be causing some suffering and decline in health. A vet would usually give a whiff of anaesthetic gas for a tooth trim, so he wouldn't know much about it and they may give pain relief at the same time.
Our first Syrian, at 2 years old had something like this (when I didn't know much about hamsters). Overgrown teeth. He did have a tooth trim, could eat again normally and got better. He lived quite happily for another 8 months although had some back leg weakness (which is common as they get older).
Sometimes when they have metacam (pain relief) they can really come round.
So I think it would be good to take him to an exotic vet. Are you in the Uk? Assume you have a pet carrier? Put plenty of bedding in there. If it's large enough (eg guinea pig sized) you could put a small house or cut down tissue box as a house in there as well. A bit of food, a piece of cucumber and a pile of torn up strips of plain white toilet paper. If you say it's urgent then you should be able to get an appointment next day. Explain his teeth are overgrown, he might need a tooth trim and maybe some pain relief.
A vet will assess him. They may be able to help him.
Please let us know how you get on x
Incidentally I've linked your account up again with your previous posts
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Thank you so much! Actually I was completely wrong - it is wet tail. I noticed sticky poo today when I held him. I never had an ill hamster before so didn’t know what to look out for and he didn’t have the typical “wet tail”. But have taken him to the vet and he will get antiobiotics now - fingers crossed he will respond to them!!
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I just edited my post above as well, having read yours again . It seems unusual for an older hamster to get wet tail, but it's possible! I hope the antibiotics help. Did the vet give any pain relief as well or trim the teeth if they needed it?
They can actually look worse when on the antibiotics, until the course is finished. They can affect the gut. It's a good idea to give probiotics in a bit of soft food as well, either at the same time or after the course has finished, to help protect their gut. Did the vet mention that?
You could also give shelled hemp seeds as a good supplement. They are supposed to contain all vitamins and minerals needed. Hamsters seem to like them and lick them up. They smell a bit nutty.
. It seems unusual for an older hamster to get wet tail, but it's possible! I hope the antibiotics help. Did the vet give any pain relief as well or trim the teeth if they needed it?They can actually look worse when on the antibiotics, until the course is finished. They can affect the gut. It's a good idea to give probiotics in a bit of soft food as well, either at the same time or after the course has finished, to help protect their gut. Did the vet mention that?
You could also give shelled hemp seeds as a good supplement. They are supposed to contain all vitamins and minerals needed. Hamsters seem to like them and lick them up. They smell a bit nutty.
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No the vet didn’t mention probiotics - and i have forgotten to mention the teeth, and TBH am not sure anymore that this is really the case - need to check later again. I was so focused on the idea of him being just old and my son said he thinks his teeth are too long - I will check later. Vet mentioned no fruit or veg at the moment and to keep him hydrated. Any other ideas for food? I’ve tried baby food but he wasn’t that keen (maybe need to try another one but am also now wary of the veg and fruit thing - or do they only mean raw fruit and veg as that which should me avoided?)… I have bought the science selective pellets and will soak them but he didn’t seem so keen on this either. He seemed to most go for the scrambled egg and porridge. Hemp seeds sounds like a good idea.
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Maybe the teeth aren't too long then One way to test is see if he can pick up a monkey nut in his teeth - or even half a walnut. If he can open his mouth enough to pick up a nut between his teeth then his teeth probably aren't too long
Porridge and scrambled egg is fine. Yes avoiding water foods like baby food or veggies is probably a good idea to let the diarrhoea settle and give the digestive system a rest. Scrambled egg is a binder so should help too! I always give shelled hemp seeds to older hamsters Just a "pinch" on a separate dish - I use a jar lid. They seem to enjoy them and they help with calories as well as vitamins, to help build them up. Also crushed nuts can help with weight gain. A pinch of those on a separate dish could be good too. You can actually buy "milled" nuts or you can crush a nut finely between two nestled spoons.
If getting hemp seeds though, the shelled ones will be easier for him to eat - they look kind of light and fluffy. Standard hemp seeds might be a bit hard to chew.
Probiotics are optional and could wait till after he's finished the antibiotics. But they help the gut as well. If you can get benebac powder for small animals, I tend to think that's the best one. It's hard to find in the Uk now. Available in the US I think (sorry, can't remember where you are!).
Hope he improves soon! Keep us posted.
One way to test is see if he can pick up a monkey nut in his teeth - or even half a walnut. If he can open his mouth enough to pick up a nut between his teeth then his teeth probably aren't too long Porridge and scrambled egg is fine. Yes avoiding water foods like baby food or veggies is probably a good idea to let the diarrhoea settle and give the digestive system a rest. Scrambled egg is a binder so should help too! I always give shelled hemp seeds to older hamsters
Just a "pinch" on a separate dish - I use a jar lid. They seem to enjoy them and they help with calories as well as vitamins, to help build them up. Also crushed nuts can help with weight gain. A pinch of those on a separate dish could be good too. You can actually buy "milled" nuts or you can crush a nut finely between two nestled spoons.If getting hemp seeds though, the shelled ones will be easier for him to eat - they look kind of light and fluffy. Standard hemp seeds might be a bit hard to chew.
Probiotics are optional and could wait till after he's finished the antibiotics. But they help the gut as well. If you can get benebac powder for small animals, I tend to think that's the best one. It's hard to find in the Uk now. Available in the US I think (sorry, can't remember where you are!).
Hope he improves soon! Keep us posted.
Good morning - I have just given the second dose of antibiotics and I think he’s getting a bit better. His fur is looking better and he’s moving with a little bit more ease. His eyes are fully open again as well. He’s eaten some porridge - porridge and scrambled egg is still what he goes for, nothing else. He shows some interest in his normal food bowl but think he’s still to weak to eat any of it (and I hear his teeth clunking so still think there might be an issue - but will wait now until he’s recovered from wet tail before having that checked out by the vet…)
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That is good news The antibiotics could be sorting a few other things too - he could have had a tooth infection as well. They can get toothache etc as they get older just as we can! It does sound like his teeth might be an issue as well, as it's unusual for hamsters to ignore their hamster mix - they at least like pouching it and hoarding it. But on the other hand, it's possible he is pouching some and hoarding it at some point during the night, and snacking from his hoards (which they tend to do), but he looks forward to the fresh tasty food first!
How much porridge/scrambled egg does he have? I tend to just give about half a teaspoon of scrambled egg. Porridge you can't really measure half a teaspoon if it's runny enough! So I just do slightly under a level teaspoon. Mine have tended to eat what they want and leave the rest. If they have too much they don't want to eat anything else (but I'm sure he will have a hoard he's snacking from). Or do you mean he's not eating the soaked science selective?
It's nice he enjoys the porridge and egg and I'm sure he looks forward to it. One of my Syrians lost the two top teeth around this age - they just broke off. So he had to have a soft food diet after that.
Did you try him with a nut? Half a walnut is usually irresistable and they will usually take it from you or pick it up from where you've put it in the cage, even if they just hoard it and don't eat it.
If you do suspect tooth problems then keeping to a soft food diet is probably the way to go now. But still put out some normal hamster mix as well so he can keep up some hoarding habits.
When he's finished the antibiotics, I would ask the vet if he can have some metacam to keep him comfortable. I'm sure he'll benefit from that. It's like ibuprofen for hamsters. Anti inflammatory and pain relief. They can get arthritis as well as toothache as they get older
Watch to see if you can see him yawn at some point - then you'll get a look at his teeth! If you have him out of the cage you could gently pull his cheek pouches back a bit (not a full "scruff" as that can upset them) to see if you can see how they are - but I would try waiting to see a yawn first.
If they are overgrown, he might not be able to yawn though. If you do decide to check them while he's out, by gently pulling the cheeks back a bit - probably the easiest, quickest way to check, is have someone else there to take a photo when you do it, as it can be hard to see while you're doing it and if it's done for more than a few seconds they can wriggle free or get upset.
The antibiotics could be sorting a few other things too - he could have had a tooth infection as well. They can get toothache etc as they get older just as we can! It does sound like his teeth might be an issue as well, as it's unusual for hamsters to ignore their hamster mix - they at least like pouching it and hoarding it. But on the other hand, it's possible he is pouching some and hoarding it at some point during the night, and snacking from his hoards (which they tend to do), but he looks forward to the fresh tasty food first!How much porridge/scrambled egg does he have? I tend to just give about half a teaspoon of scrambled egg. Porridge you can't really measure half a teaspoon if it's runny enough! So I just do slightly under a level teaspoon. Mine have tended to eat what they want and leave the rest. If they have too much they don't want to eat anything else (but I'm sure he will have a hoard he's snacking from
). Or do you mean he's not eating the soaked science selective?It's nice he enjoys the porridge and egg and I'm sure he looks forward to it. One of my Syrians lost the two top teeth around this age - they just broke off. So he had to have a soft food diet after that.
Did you try him with a nut? Half a walnut is usually irresistable and they will usually take it from you or pick it up from where you've put it in the cage, even if they just hoard it and don't eat it.
If you do suspect tooth problems then keeping to a soft food diet is probably the way to go now. But still put out some normal hamster mix as well so he can keep up some hoarding habits.
When he's finished the antibiotics, I would ask the vet if he can have some metacam to keep him comfortable. I'm sure he'll benefit from that. It's like ibuprofen for hamsters. Anti inflammatory and pain relief. They can get arthritis as well as toothache as they get older
Watch to see if you can see him yawn at some point - then you'll get a look at his teeth! If you have him out of the cage you could gently pull his cheek pouches back a bit (not a full "scruff" as that can upset them) to see if you can see how they are - but I would try waiting to see a yawn first.
If they are overgrown, he might not be able to yawn though. If you do decide to check them while he's out, by gently pulling the cheeks back a bit - probably the easiest, quickest way to check, is have someone else there to take a photo when you do it, as it can be hard to see while you're doing it and if it's done for more than a few seconds they can wriggle free or get upset.
Thanks Maz!! He’s having quite a lot of scrambled egg, he’s wolfing it down - prob more like a teaspoon. Porridge he has a bit less of. I tried to offer him bits of his normal muesli but he’s ignoring it. I tried a peanut and he nibbled for one second but then lost interest and also didn’t try to carry it away. Mind you he’s still quite weak. I will try a walnut tomorrow. That said he crawled into his nest today and I saw him moving around at the bottom where his stack is so maybe he had some of the food there. Should I offer him less of the porridge and scrambled egg? I tried the soaked science selective but he wasn’t interested. I will try and look at his teeth tomorrow when giving him the antibiotics with the syringe. Good night!
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'Maybe a smaller amount on a teaspoon. If he could pick up a peanut that suggests his teeth aren't too long.
I'd try him with some baby food as well. Mine have all loved that - particularly the Hipp sweet squash and chicken
There's a list on here of safe ones. Again I just used to do about a level teaspoon. If he ends up on metacam, babyfood is a good way to give it - you just drop the metacam on top of the baby food. This doesn't work for the antibiotic though as that tastes bad, whereas they tend to like the taste of metacam.
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I'd try him with some baby food as well. Mine have all loved that - particularly the Hipp sweet squash and chicken
There's a list on here of safe ones. Again I just used to do about a level teaspoon. If he ends up on metacam, babyfood is a good way to give it - you just drop the metacam on top of the baby food. This doesn't work for the antibiotic though as that tastes bad, whereas they tend to like the taste of metacam.
Baby food options
This thread is for baby food options. Eg for an older hamster needing softened food or for a hamster on medication (using baby food to put the medication in). This list will probably change over time and need updating and editing now and then as things stop being available or new things become...
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How is little Clover? It's great that he is eating the egg and porridge. I would keep feeding him as much as he can eat in a session. The baby food should work well too. Perhaps once he is a bit stronger, going to the vet to have his teeth checked might be good. Teeth can be problematic in their old age, and it's worth keeping an eye on them 
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I hope Clover is doing ok - you're such a caring hamster parent (I know everyone is on here!)
I get sad already to think of Chum getting old, I know it's going to happen!
I get sad already to think of Chum getting old, I know it's going to happen!
Good morning everyone. Update on Clover: it is not good unfortunately. He seemed to be getting better, but then he developed a lump under his neck. I took him to the vet and he tried to extract something from it to see what it was, but couldn’t get anything out. It doesn’t seem to bother Clover as such, but in the days since he started eating less and less. He still is not eating anything independently (other than being fed) and he also doesn’t seem to be drinking anything by himself. He seems to mainly sleep - when I take him out for his antibiotics or get him water he doesn’t seem to have moved from where I left him before (having said that, a day ago he still walked from one end of his cage to the other after his antibiotics but no real movement since). Food wise I have tried baby food and his normal muesli and nuts but he doesn’t touch it. He still eats a bit of the porridge and scrambled egg but just a bite or so. I don’t really know what else to do - we cannot really do anything about the lump as a biopsy to figure out whether it’s a tumour is too risky (and also if it is a tumour removing it would be a huge risk as well - and to be honest I cannot really cover the costs - I know this sounds awful but it’s the reality as it would be thousands of pounds - and again huge risk he might die from it). My feeling is he’s going downhill and there’s not really anything I can do other than keep caring for him the way I do now, but if anyone has any ideas or thoughts that would be hugely appreciated. Today is his last day of antibiotics. It’s really hard seeing him like this and not knowing what will happen, how long he will keep going and thinking I might find him having passed away any day now… really hard for the children too 
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Not any kind of expert to offer any advice but I think personally it would just depend if he seems in any kind of pain. You're obviously such a caring owner, so sorry to hear he's still not doing good
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Hello. I'm so sorry to hear this, but it seems now there is a clear issue. A lump on the neck (according to my vet) is usually a mammary tumour. They are supposed to be quite common, and one of my Syrians had it. It just appeared quite quickly after he had some weight loss. He was about 2 at the time. I was surprised because you think of "mammary" as a female thing, but both male and female have mammary glands on the underside, starting at the neck down.
Regardless of the cost, it would be too much surgery for a 2 year old hamster and unfair and its unlikely he'd survive such extensive surgery when he's in poor condition. In this situation, it's more a case of keeping them comfortable and I absolutely think he should have metacam (that is my opinion and I hope your vet would agree).
I am sorry because it means we know they are dying of something. Now they can feel a lot better on Metacam (it is not just pain relief, it's anti inflammatory). It's not certain it's a tumour but - IME they usually are a tumour (again from my vet's opinion) especially if it's in the neck.
My Syrian didn't seem too affected, apart from weight loss, but didn't like it being touched if I handled him so it must have been painful to touch.
With Clover, he is off his food and not himself so it will be affecting him and I'd suggest the way forward is pain relief for now and see how he goes. If he doesn't come round with pain relief then he has more pain than the Metacam can handle, and unfortunately then, the kindest thing is to help them on their way. They are so good at hiding pain, being a prey species. But his behaviour is showing he is not well.
However, they can suddenly really come round once on Metacam and be comfortable and active again.
When I went through this I felt very sad at the idea that he might slowly die from cancer. But I (and my vet) rationalised it that anything could happen. Just because a hamster has a tumour, doesn't mean that will happen. Sometimes they can die of something else. A sudden heart attack in their sleep eg. So the key is to keep them comfortable and hope he starts enjoying his food and has some activity again. If he doesn't and shows no benefit from it then we have hard decisions to make, as leaving them suffering for some time is not really fair on the hamster.
My vet did also say that mammary tumours are usually quite fast progressing. So sorry. But yes do ask the vet for metacam. I'm surprised they haven't offered it already. They usually do try antibiotics and metacam first in case it's infection (ie if it gets better it's infection, if it doesn't it's likely to be a tumour).
Regardless of the cost, it would be too much surgery for a 2 year old hamster and unfair and its unlikely he'd survive such extensive surgery when he's in poor condition. In this situation, it's more a case of keeping them comfortable and I absolutely think he should have metacam (that is my opinion and I hope your vet would agree).
I am sorry because it means we know they are dying of something. Now they can feel a lot better on Metacam (it is not just pain relief, it's anti inflammatory). It's not certain it's a tumour but - IME they usually are a tumour (again from my vet's opinion) especially if it's in the neck.
My Syrian didn't seem too affected, apart from weight loss, but didn't like it being touched if I handled him so it must have been painful to touch.
With Clover, he is off his food and not himself so it will be affecting him and I'd suggest the way forward is pain relief for now and see how he goes. If he doesn't come round with pain relief then he has more pain than the Metacam can handle, and unfortunately then, the kindest thing is to help them on their way. They are so good at hiding pain, being a prey species. But his behaviour is showing he is not well.
However, they can suddenly really come round once on Metacam and be comfortable and active again.
When I went through this I felt very sad at the idea that he might slowly die from cancer. But I (and my vet) rationalised it that anything could happen. Just because a hamster has a tumour, doesn't mean that will happen. Sometimes they can die of something else. A sudden heart attack in their sleep eg. So the key is to keep them comfortable and hope he starts enjoying his food and has some activity again. If he doesn't and shows no benefit from it then we have hard decisions to make, as leaving them suffering for some time is not really fair on the hamster.
My vet did also say that mammary tumours are usually quite fast progressing. So sorry. But yes do ask the vet for metacam. I'm surprised they haven't offered it already. They usually do try antibiotics and metacam first in case it's infection (ie if it gets better it's infection, if it doesn't it's likely to be a tumour).
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So sorry to hear about Clover. He is quite an old hamster now and seems very weak. I agree with Maz, offering pain meds is a good idea. Most small animals really like Metacam and take it very readily. I think he is old and tired and possibly sore, but still friendly and gentle as Syrians tend to be. If he is no longer eating by himself, then the time has come to start considering releasing him. It is very sad, but it is better than him suffering. I wish you and your family and Clover comfort 