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You could try offering him his water bottle and see if he takes a drink. Can he reach it ok do you think?
R
RobbieH
Yeah it's in the same position it always has been and it's low to the ground and accessible like I said tbh that's something I could easily of missed I mean there is water missing from his water bottle I think it might just be something I am overthinking when I caught him eating the porridge just a bit ago his ears were stuck right up in the air so that's a good sign right?
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Yes and on the video he seemed ok and enjoying the porridge. My first Syrian Charlie started to decline when he was about two and a half, but he would still hop on his wheel for about 10 seconds every day! He was also still running around the living room. Assume you've checked the bottle is letting water out ok (tap the end of the spout). I only asked if he could reach it in case he was having mobility issues.
They keep going even when their organs are wearing out. But it's just a case of keeping an eye on things in case he starts to go downhill. One thing that might be an idea though is to maybe get some Metacam (pain relief) from the vet. He may have some pain somewhere, even if it's toothache or arthritis and it can help keep them comfortable in their old age.
They keep going even when their organs are wearing out. But it's just a case of keeping an eye on things in case he starts to go downhill. One thing that might be an idea though is to maybe get some Metacam (pain relief) from the vet. He may have some pain somewhere, even if it's toothache or arthritis and it can help keep them comfortable in their old age.
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RobbieH
I can 100% look into getting some meds for the old timer how would that be given to him usually? I have never gave medication to a hamster before would it he put in his water or on his food?
Also I recorded him just a minute ago eating the porridge again
His cage is quite high up on my wardrobe to avoid the cat bothering him in anyway
So sometimes just to see what he is doing without disturbing him I will start recording with my phone and lift it up to his cage it's dark in my room right now so I had to use a light and it's kinda funny to me because it looks like a spotlight from a police helicopter or something like that and cookie is on the run as a wanted criminal or something lol
Anyways how do you think he looks in that video?
Also I recorded him just a minute ago eating the porridge again
His cage is quite high up on my wardrobe to avoid the cat bothering him in anyway
So sometimes just to see what he is doing without disturbing him I will start recording with my phone and lift it up to his cage it's dark in my room right now so I had to use a light and it's kinda funny to me because it looks like a spotlight from a police helicopter or something like that and cookie is on the run as a wanted criminal or something lol
Anyways how do you think he looks in that video?
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It could be an idea to get a pet carrier, if you don't have one - just in case you need to take him to the vet at some point. This size is good - it holds plenty of bedding in the bottom and room for a small house as well. It's not too expensive either at £6. It's always a useful thing to have.
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RobbieH
Plus to add just like your hamster cookie got on his wheel and ran for 10ish seconds then got off again
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RobbieH
Yeah for sure that's definitely a good idea thank you Maz
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Just had a look at the video. He is eating his food and then it looked like he pouched a piece of bedding. So not too bad but couldn't see him moving around. Could you maybe have the cat out of your room and shut the door and take him out of the cage to see how he is?
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The spirit is willing! Even when they're slowing down.
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RobbieH
Yeah I will give it a try and let you know
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RobbieH
Yeah I let him out for a while he was walking around fine even digging and biting the carpet the little bugger lol
His ears were up the whole time sometimes they were kinda half down half up but the vast majority of the time his ears were up
Once I put him back in his cage he started running on his wheel for a little bit more I checked his water bottle and water was coming out of it when pressing my finger against it I tried to give the water bottle to him but he just sniffed it and decided he was not interested in it so not sure what to to think of that
His ears were up the whole time sometimes they were kinda half down half up but the vast majority of the time his ears were up
Once I put him back in his cage he started running on his wheel for a little bit more I checked his water bottle and water was coming out of it when pressing my finger against it I tried to give the water bottle to him but he just sniffed it and decided he was not interested in it so not sure what to to think of that
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RobbieH
I have another video of him sleeping I got this video just now what do you guys think? It seems a bit better then it did earlier on today I am not sure though and another video of him being a little monkey when I had him out of his cage
M
Member ID2
Cookie looks alright to me for an old boy. They do have their good and bad days when they get old. My Syrian Rory was like that. Some days i expected him to make his exit and the next he wanted out of cage time.
He was on metacam for the last few weeks which helped a lot and really perked him up for a while.
It's a liquid medication for dogs or cats and comes in two different strength but can be used for hamsters in the correct dose. Vets work it out going by weight of the hamster and a few other factors.
It tastes sweet and hamsters like taking it. They lick it off a small syringe. The small syringe lets us draw up the correct dosage.
Only one of my hamsters didn't lick it off the syringe but ate it from a tiny piece of shreddie cereal.
I'm not saying Cookie needs it but it can be hard to know whether they are in discomfort or not. Ears down a lot is something to watch out for but you know this anyway and your doing a great job looking after Cookie.
He was on metacam for the last few weeks which helped a lot and really perked him up for a while.
It's a liquid medication for dogs or cats and comes in two different strength but can be used for hamsters in the correct dose. Vets work it out going by weight of the hamster and a few other factors.
It tastes sweet and hamsters like taking it. They lick it off a small syringe. The small syringe lets us draw up the correct dosage.
Only one of my hamsters didn't lick it off the syringe but ate it from a tiny piece of shreddie cereal.
I'm not saying Cookie needs it but it can be hard to know whether they are in discomfort or not. Ears down a lot is something to watch out for but you know this anyway and your doing a great job looking after Cookie.
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RainbowBrite
Cookie really wanted to chew your carpet. 
His fur still looks beautiful and shiny. I bet he enjoyed exploring your room.
His fur still looks beautiful and shiny. I bet he enjoyed exploring your room.
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He is doing fine for a little old man. I think he will probably continue to have the fast beating heart at rest as he may have a slow progressing heart disease. There wouldn't be any treatment for it. If he starts showing signs of swelling or fluid (usually round the abdomen) then that is a sign that he might be suffering. You'd know about that if it happens. I agree though, it might help him to be on Metacam. They do tend to sleep more when they get old generally. It looks like he is still enjoying hamstering.
There's an article here from a vet about hamsters with heart disease - it's a bit clinical and Cookie's symptoms may not be the same, but it's interesting that it mentions that CoQ10 can slow the progression of heart disease. Another treat he will probably enjoy is this flaxseed and milled nuts treat - it also contains CoQ10. It's something some people give to older hamsters as a treat, when they have difficulty eating hard food. You just put a pinch on a little dish and they tend to just lick them up.
His fur is looking amazing for his age.
There's an article here from a vet about hamsters with heart disease - it's a bit clinical and Cookie's symptoms may not be the same, but it's interesting that it mentions that CoQ10 can slow the progression of heart disease. Another treat he will probably enjoy is this flaxseed and milled nuts treat - it also contains CoQ10. It's something some people give to older hamsters as a treat, when they have difficulty eating hard food. You just put a pinch on a little dish and they tend to just lick them up.
His fur is looking amazing for his age.
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If you give a vet surgery a call and tell them you have a very old hamster who is doing ok but you think he might benefit from Metacam pain relief, they may just prescribe it. Some vets will want to see him first before prescribing it. A vet check isn't too expensive usually - maybe £20 to £30. Any medication costs extra. So things can start adding up with an older hamster.
I would prioritise getting a pet carrier and maybe some metacam. It would be helpful if the vet would prescribe the metacam over the phone, and you could suggest sending them the video of him walking around. But they may want to actually see him.
I would prioritise getting a pet carrier and maybe some metacam. It would be helpful if the vet would prescribe the metacam over the phone, and you could suggest sending them the video of him walking around. But they may want to actually see him.
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I'll just add, one of my Syrians had something similar. Although it was more panting as well as fast heart beating. He was active and running around and behaving normally but had to stop now and then to rest which was when you could see his heart beating fast. He went on for some time like that, declining. But you can never be sure if they have pain, so pain relief can help them keep comfortable.
M
Member ID2
I don't think a vet would prescribe metacam without seeing a hamster because they need to weigh them and assess their overall condition.
A vet visit isn't as stressful as people think and many hamsters just go to sleep in a big enough carrier with comfy bedding to hide in.
A vet visit isn't as stressful as people think and many hamsters just go to sleep in a big enough carrier with comfy bedding to hide in.