Cookie

[RobbieH]

Thank you guys it all means a lot to me

 

[RobbieH]

I hope your little fellas are doing well too

 

[Maz]

Mine are thank you . My Robo is also elderly now at 2 years.

 

[RobbieH]

That's good to hear love the name its cute haha

 

[Maz]

Robo is short for Roborovski hamster His name is Pip

 

[RobbieH]

Ohhh hahaha well you learn something new everyday well Pip is an even cuter name

 

[RobbieH]

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Horrible filming by me but this was about an hour ago what do you guys think about his behaviour/the way he looks in this video? In your guys opinions

Thanks

 

[Maz]

He looks fine to me. Maybe a little doddery but at his age that's not surprising.

 

[elusive]

He looks fine to me too, showing his age a bit but otherwise ok.

 

[RobbieH]

Thanks guys I will continue to keep an eye on the little guy

 

[RobbieH]

Here's Cookie pulling a funny face when scavenging for food his ears are down again but I am almost certain he had just woken up this was about 6 in the evening so very early for him to be out I gave him some food and he went back to bed you can see it quite well in the video I posted where he is sleeping but I've noticed him breathing quite fast is this normal?

Thanks
Robbie and Cookie

 

[elusive]

That’s a really sweet photo.

Fast breathing isn’t normal no, if it continues then it is most likely a sign that something’s wrong & you’d need to get that checked out. If it was just for a short while then stopped I wouldn’t worry too much.

 

[Maz]

He is quite an old boy. It’s a cute photo I know it can be worrying when they’re older and start to get various symptoms. Did it settle down or is he still breathing fast? Is it like on that earlier video you showed us?

 

[Maz]

To be honest, at two years old, there isn’t much they can do and sometimes it’s just a case of keeping them comfortable. He may come out of it again or he may be nearing his time. It’s weighing up - shouid you take him to a vet and the stress of that if he is nearing his time. Or wait and see if he comes out of it again. He may just have a degree of heart failure which can cause shortness of breath, but carry on again. If he is wheezing though it could be a respiratory infection and that can be treated with antibiotics. But it may just be his age .

 

[RobbieH]

Yesterday it was like on that video have not seen him today only heard him moving around and eating thanks for all the information guys

Is there any nice snacks I could give him that he might enjoy?

 

[Maz]

He'll be sleeping But good you heard him moving around and eating. Have you got any walnut halves? Most hamsters enjoy those. Or a bit of porridge They all seem to like that. A little bit of banana or apple maybe.

Just keep an eye on him. It does sound like an ageing thing, but if he seems to be in any distress breathing, and looks like he's suffering, then you would need to take him to a vet. Hopefully he will soldier on comfortably.

 

[elusive]

I find they tend to enjoy porridge when they’re older (just made with water) a little bit of baby food goes down well too, it does have to be without onion though & usually the ones for 4 months are best.

 

[RobbieH]

I will keep an eye on him and thanks guys I will see if he likes it!

 

[RobbieH]

How much porridge should I give him?

 

[elusive]

A teaspoon should be ok, a bit less maybe but he’s unlikely to eat too much of it so don’t worry too much.