George

[The Hamographer]

For those who know George, he is a long haired older fellow, he is two on Xmas eve, hoping he will get to that, for the last two months George has been to vets a few times been on several meds the last being a diuretic which in all honesty seemed to do nothing for him, he wasn't at all happy having meds three times a day etc. George started with what appeared to be a chest infection he was crackly in his chest etc Antibiotics and then anti inflammatories. he sounds very much like a toddler who is full of snot..!!! Other times he sounds like a wheezy old man with his little squeaks and semi sneezes but he is plodding on, he is bright eyed but now likes his own company stays in his house most of the time with the biggest pile of bedding and he makes the biggest pile of wood shaving under him it is like a mini pyramid, he has lost quite a bit of weight but it seems to have stabilized, he is still eating his dry food and fresh offerings each day though he is now hoarding way more than he ever did, as he wasn't much of a hoarder. With the colder weather and the house being at a max of 18C I have been putting a hot water bottle under his cage where his house is, the Mrs did think I was a tad mad but I want the best for the little dude. That's about it folks .

 

[RainbowBrite]

I hope you and George have more time together. It is so touching to read how much you love him.

 

[Member ID2]

Yes i know the handsome George. He is such a gorgeous boy.
I'm sorry to hear that George has developed health problems and i very much hope that you will have a lovely Christmas together.

 

[elusive]

I remember George, I’m sorry to hear he’s been so unwell but it does sound as though he’s doing pretty well all things considered & I’m sure he’s appreciating all the TLC he’s getting.
I hope you still have quite some time with him yet & get to enjoy Christmas together.

 

[Maz]

That is amazing that George was born on Christmas Eve! I hope you and George have his birthday and Christmas together. Do you think he might enjoy some soft foods as well? That can really help if they're losing weight. Even if he still takes the hard food, he might not be eating much of it if he has toothache or an arthtritic jaw - which is common in older hamsters.

I usually put two or three soaked science selective pellets out on a separate dish (takes 5 to 10 minutes for them to go soft with a bit of kettle water on and cooled). Hamsters seem to really love it as it tastes of gravy. And it's soft and mushy to eat. It means they get all the nutrients in one go. you still put the hard food out as well as sometimes they like to still pouch and hoard it even if they don't eat it.

Some baby food or porridge might go down well as well each day. They LOVE baby food and lick it up. You might already be doing that - when you mentioned fresh offerings. A pinch of hemp seeds and ground mix nuts on a separate plate also gives a boost of vitamins and calories and a boost to the immune system (brazil nuts are good for that).

I get the Linwoods ones (Amazon and Holland and Barrett) because it's easy - already ground up nuts so you just put a pinch out, and same with the hemp seeds.

Linwoods Milled Flaxseed, Almonds, Brazil Nuts, Walnuts & Q10 | Holland & Barrett

Shop Linwoods Milled Flaxseed, Almonds, Brazil Nuts, Walnuts & Q10 at Holland & Barrett. A delicious boost that provides a rich source of Iron, Zinc, Magnesium & Selenium.

www.hollandandbarrett.com

It has always worked for me and sometimes they even put a bit of weight back on as well. And really look forward to their "extras". A bit of extra enjoyment in old age.

It's difficult with a respiratory thing, to know if it's viral or something more serious (eg heart related) - but he may just fight it off if it's viral and gets an immune boost . I had one Syrian who was short of breath and wheezy on exertion for quite a long time before he finally started to fail (with something else).

 

[Maz]

Every time I hear his name I think "Gorgeous George"! I am not sure where that expression came from! As for hot water bottles - ours are in regular use for the humans as well right now! They do help when it's cold.

 

[RainbowBrite]

Every time I hear his name I think "Gorgeous George"! I am not sure where that expression came from! As for hot water bottles - ours are in regular use for the humans as well right now! They do help when it's cold.

He was an American wrestler from the 1940s.

 

[Maz]

Really? That long ago? Thank you Rainbow - I assumed it must be George Michael or boy George or similar!

 

[Maz]

Anyway, Hamographer's George is gorgeous He sounds a real trooper.

 

[Coco61]

So a week to go and George will be 2 years old. I hope your gorgeous boy makes his birthday and Christmas with you. A bigger than usual hoard shows he is still hamstering along ok. Of course you must be keeping him warm during this dreadful cold spell. Bless him!

 

[The Hamographer]

That is amazing that George was born on Christmas Eve! I hope you and George have his birthday and Christmas together. Do you think he might enjoy some soft foods as well? That can really help if they're losing weight. Even if he still takes the hard food, he might not be eating much of it if he has toothache or an arthtritic jaw - which is common in older hamsters.

I usually put two or three soaked science selective pellets out on a separate dish (takes 5 to 10 minutes for them to go soft with a bit of kettle water on and cooled). Hamsters seem to really love it as it tastes of gravy. And it's soft and mushy to eat. It means they get all the nutrients in one go. you still put the hard food out as well as sometimes they like to still pouch and hoard it even if they don't eat it.

Some baby food or porridge might go down well as well each day. They LOVE baby food and lick it up. You might already be doing that - when you mentioned fresh offerings. A pinch of hemp seeds and ground mix nuts on a separate plate also gives a boost of vitamins and calories and a boost to the immune system (brazil nuts are good for that).

I get the Linwoods ones (Amazon and Holland and Barrett) because it's easy - already ground up nuts so you just put a pinch out, and same with the hemp seeds.

Linwoods Milled Flaxseed, Almonds, Brazil Nuts, Walnuts & Q10 | Holland & Barrett

Shop Linwoods Milled Flaxseed, Almonds, Brazil Nuts, Walnuts & Q10 at Holland & Barrett. A delicious boost that provides a rich source of Iron, Zinc, Magnesium & Selenium.

www.hollandandbarrett.com

It has always worked for me and sometimes they even put a bit of weight back on as well. And really look forward to their "extras". A bit of extra enjoyment in old age.

It's difficult with a respiratory thing, to know if it's viral or something more serious (eg heart related) - but he may just fight it off if it's viral and gets an immune boost . I had one Syrian who was short of breath and wheezy on exertion for quite a long time before he finally started to fail (with something else).

Maz,
Thanks for the soft food idea, George happily munches on peanuts if I take them out of the shells now, he has soft leaves and beetroot shards beetroot is good for the immune system also he has blueberries and banana a couple of times a week, he doesn't come out except for food and water and his sand toilet. I don't like to disturb him as he seems mostly to sleep, If I do disturb him he now bites which he never ever used to do that. He also gets a few little shards of cheese which he eats with much relish at least that helps with fats, minerals and calcium a little treat is a small piece of custard cream bikkie which he does rather like.
I am going to have to clean out his bedding area though which he will not like at all, but it needs doing.
The last vets visit I saw a different one who thought that he possibly had heart failure which the diuretics where for but they seemed to do nothing for him, he didn't like having the meds any way that's why I'm just letting him age at his pace and when he does go he does so in his own bed in his own home not a sterile vets office gassed to death.

 

[Maz]

He sounds to be going along at his own pace then and nice he is still enjoying food. I'm guessing he's on Metacam as well. Understand how you feel about his situation. Just to put it into context for younger members - the gas is an anaesthetic gas - the same used when they have operations, so they just go to sleep and don't feel anything - for situations where a hamster is really suffering and it's the only option to relieve the suffering.

It's always nicer if they can go peacefully in their nest or home. Although on occasions I've had to help a hamster on their way, I've found vets very caring at such times and it being a caring and dignified process. It depends how poorly they are sometimes and I've always taken them in a favourite cosy hide.

It's such a hard time when they are starting to fail, but George sounds like quite a little trooper. Not the nicest run up to Christmas for you though - quite a worry probably.

 

[The Hamographer]

I came home from work at 03.15 this morning to find George collapsed in his cage with his head in his food bowl, he was also very cold, at first I thought he had passed but noticed he was breathing with very tiny shallow breaths.

I have gotten him out of the cage and wrapped up in a heated fleece blanket on at maximum, he is warming up and showing better breathing and also showing some movement, he had wood shavings embedded in his coat which took a little work to remove them so he must have been in a state of collapse for quite some time.

I think this could be it and warming him may only be delaying the inevitable, at least he will be comfortable should he face his final demise this morning.

 

[The Hamographer]

Dear All,
George passed peacefully this morning at 04.50...

 

[The Hamographer]

George at his scruffy best he was about a year old here.

 

[elusive]

I’m so sorry George has gone to the bridge, It’s always so hard to lose them even when you know the end is near.
I’m glad you were able to be with him at the end & I’m sure it was a great comfort to him to be safe & warm with you as he passed away.
Such lovely photos to remember your handsome boy by.
Run free now & play well at the bridge George
My thoughts are with you Rads.

 

[Maz]

I’m so sorry. You must be feeling rough. He had so much love and care right to the end. He was a beautiful boy. He’s free from pain now but such a tough time for you.

 

[Member ID2]

I'm so sorry to hear that the gorgeous George went to the rainbow bridge.

George had a wonderful life with you and he felt your love and comfort right to the end.

Play well at the bridge George.

 

[Coco61]

A peaceful and dignified passing at home with you keeping him warm. George must have been comforted by that making his last moments the best you could manage for him.
Such lovely photos of George looking his best.
Play well at the bridge George, so many friends there too.

Tough time Rads, it is one we all know and can send you condolences

 

[Tulsi]

Only just seen this. What a beautiful hamster George was. Rip sweet boy.